Info. Center:  FAQ:   Top Lawn Care Questions

1. How Do I Set My Lawn Spreader Settings Correctly?
2. How Much Lime Should I Put On My Lawn?
3. When Should I Fertilize My Lawn?
4. Can I Put Seed, Lime And Fertilizer On At The Same Time?
5. How Much Should I Water My Lawn?
6. Do I Need To Cover My Seed After Planting?
7. How Much Sun Does Grass Need?
8. When Should I Cut My Grass?
9. How Do I Kill Weeds In My Lawn?
10. Where Can I Find A Complete Guide To Lawn Care?
11. When Do I Put Down Crabgrass Preventer?
12. Does Pre-Emergent Stop Weeds?
13. Can I Seed My Lawn After Using Weed Killer?
14. Can I Seed My Lawn In The Spring?
15. Should I Follow A Four Step Fertilizer Program In This Area?
16. Can I Green Up My Yard Without Using Fertilizer?
17. When Do I Apply Lawn Fungicides?
18. Do I Need Gypsum?
19. How Often Should My Lawn Be Areated?
20. How Do I Get Rid Of Moss In My Lawn?
21. How Do I Control Moles In My Yard and Plant Beds?

1.  How Do I Set My Lawn Spreader Settings Correctly?

First, measure the area you are going to apply the product to.

Second, look on the product you are applying to determine how much area the product will cover.  Example:  20 lbs. of Hudgins Lawn Fertilizer covers 5,000 sq. ft. of lawn.

Third, set your spreader setting very light to start with, such as a 2 or 3.

Fourth, go ahead and make several passes in the area you measured, using the correct amount of product.

Finally, adjustments to your spreader setting may be made after you get a feel for how fast your spreader applies.

2.  How Much Lime Should I Put On My Lawn?

In general, 40 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. is recommended every year or two in areas with known acid soils such as the Richmond/Chesterfield County.  We recommend pelletized lime for lawns. Soil test are inexpensive and save money in the long run. Hudgins now offers soil testing services. Speak with an associate for details.

3.  When Should I Fertilize My Lawn?

In Virginia, we predominantly have cool season grasses such as turf type fescues.  [Magelin, Titan, Rebel, Hudgins Greenscape Blend, etc.]

In the Fall, apply a 4-1-2 ratio fertilizer such as Hudgins Lawn Fertilizer (analysis 24-6-12 slow release with iron) three times in Fall 30-45 days between application.  Sept., Oct. & Nov.

In the Spring, one half application of fertilizer may be needed, but be careful.  You do not want to burn your lawn or cause summertime lawn disease.  Please consult a professional garden center prior to applying Spring fertilizer and NEVER apply fertilizer during the heat of Summer.

4.  Can I Put Down Seed, Lime and Fertilizer At The Same Time?

During the cool weather of Fall and very early spring we have found that all products may be applied the same day with good results.  However, during period of warm weather, these products should be applied 7-10 days apart depending on weather factors such as plenty of rain or irrigation.

5.  How Much Should I Water My Lawn?

Lawns should be watered thoroughly 2 to 3 times a week with approximately 1" to 1-1/2" of irrigation.  Place a cat food or tuna can in the area you are watering.  Once the pie pan is full, that area should be adequately watered.  Record the time and now you know how long to run your sprinkler.  Avoid water at early night or during the heat of the day.  Early morning is best!

6.  Do I Need To Cover My Seed After Planting?

In established lawns that have been aerated, seed cover is not necessary.  However, newly seeded lawns and bare spots should be covered with a light layer of compost, peat moss or straw to help maintain moisture on new seedlings.

7.  How Much Sun Does Grass Need?

In areas that get four or more hours of sunlight, you should use a turf type tall fescue or warm season grass noted for sun or part shade.  In areas that get less than two hour of filtered sun, you should use a shade grass such as Hudgins Shade Blend. For areas between 2-4 hours of sunlight we suggest you try to establish a tall fescue first. Tall fescues will always be astronger more durable grass in the long term if it can be established.

8.  When Should I Cut My Grass?

Lawns should be maintained at a height of around 3 inches.  Cutting grass too short will cause lawn stress and will also increase the amount of weeds in your lawn.

9.  How Do I Kill Weeds In My Lawn?

Weed control is a very large and detailed subject when done correctly.  We strongly recommend you visit a professional garden center to determine your exact weed problem prior to applying control products.  Weed identification plus proper weed control products will help produce a strong, safe lawn.

10.  Where Can I Find A Complete Guide To Lawn Care?

Hudgins Garden Center offers a complete lawn care guide for both Spring and Fall.  See Spring Seeding & Lawn Care Guide AND/OR Fall Seeding & Lawn Care Guide and print your copy today.

Visit Hudgins Garden Center for proven, professional lawn products to grow your lawn green.

11. When Do I Put Down Crabgrass Preventer?

Apply crabgrass preventer late February through March and then again in mid-May. Be sure to use a quality product. One type can be used when seeding and another type cannot be used when seeding. We have both types.

12. Does Pre-Emergent Stop Weeds?

There are two types of Pre-emergent controls. Pre-emergent Crabgrass Preventer stops crabgrass and some annual weeds. A true weed preventer is a product such as Portrait or Gallery. The cost is generally twice as much as Crabgrass Preventer. Don't Be Fooled! Crabgrass Pre-emergent does not stop all annual weeds. Hudgins can show you the right products.

13. Can I Seed My Lawn After Using Weed Killer?

There is a waiting period after applying weed killer. Look on product label for time to wait. Do not apply week killer to newly seeded lawns until you have mowed your new grass three times.

14. Can I Seed My Lawn In the Spring?

Yes! Seeding in March is the best for spring seeding. Based on spring weather, some customers will seed into April and May. However, the earlier the better.

15. Should I Follow a Four Step Fertilizer Program In This Area?

No! Fertilize three times in the fall and you should not need to fertilize in thew spring. If you feel you need to apply some fertilizer in the early spring use a half rate.(ie. 5,000 sq/ft bag will cover 10,000 sq/ft) Apply control products such as weed control and fungus control separately.

16. Can I Green Up My Yard Without Using Fertilizer?

Yes! Hudgins has a product called Ironite which makes your lawn greener without excessive growth.

17. When Do I Apply Lawn Fungicides?

They should be applied May - August as needed. We have both granular and liquid.

18. Do I Need Gypsum?

This is an optional product. However, in hard clay soils, gypsum helps to loosed compacted soil. Gypsum can be applied any time during the year.

19. How Often Should My Lawn Be Aerated?

Hudgins recommends having your lawn aerated prior to any seeding. Spring and fall are both okay or just fall.

20. How Do I Get Rid of Moss In My Lawn?

Moss is caused by acidic soil, poor drainage, and shady area.
To reduce moss growth, the following is recommended:

Lime should be applied regularly to sweeten the soil. Drainage of standing wateer should be improved. Soil should be areated each year to reduce compaction of soil. Lastly, more sunlight to the mossy areas will help. Moss killers are quick fix solutions. If you do not lime, improve drainage, reduce compaction, and add sunligt, the moss will just grow back.

21. How Do I Control Moles In My Yard and Plant Beds?

Moles are a difficult problem and not easy to control. Sometimes you have to try several different approaches to arrive at a solution. You may want to try one of the following:

• Apply granular Merit or other insect control to lawns and plant beds. This will kill the food source for the moles and possibly the moles also.
• Use mole pellets by placing in active trails in your lawn. Usually effective, but also poisonous to cats, dogs, and other pets, and children.
• Use smoke bombs in active trails. Very effective if mole is in the trail.
• Mole traps work well but can be dangerous to use.
• Add coarse products to your planting areas, such as Permatill. This product is sharp to the touch to moles and the mole will not dig in the treated area.
• Mole repellants such as sprays to yard are sometimes effective.

  You may also want to check with your local extension agent for additional ideas.

 

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