CALENDAR FOR COOL SEASON LAWNS
(FESCUE) |
March |
APPLY CRABGRASS PREVENTER: |
| We have several types of preventers, some with fertilizer. If you are seeding your lawn this spring, or seeded late last fall, use a crabgrass preventer with Tupersan to allow your seed to germinate. All of the products should be watered in to create a seal across the lawn which prevents germination. |
KILL BROADLEAF WEEDS: |
You may have weeds in the lawn now like chickweed that came up last fall. If we have several days of 60 degree temperatures, use a broadleaf weed control product to kill them before they flower and drop seeds. Liquid products will give good control but you may also use a granular broadleaf control if you have a large area. |
APRIL |
KILL MORE BROADLEAF WEEDS: |
| Many new weeds that grow all summer and fall are just starting to come up now. Late in the month apply a broadleaf weed control product to kill these small weeds. A liquid makes better contact with small weeds and is easier to use for spot treatment. Avoid getting spray on ornamental plants which will be killed or damaged. Do not use broadleaf control products when the temperature is over 80 degrees or on windy days. |
PLANT GRASS SEED: |
| Although Fall is the best time to plant grass seed, you may plant inlate March or early April if you are able to water throughout the season. You may want to repair bare spots or thicken up the lawn now, so scratch the surface of the soil with a rake and use a good quality seed like our own Greenscape blend of tall fescue. Broadleaf weed control and grass seed may not be used at the same time. However, there are some newer products that allow you to kill the weeds and plant seed one week later. |
FERTILIZE GRASS: |
| A half application of fertilizer in the Spring will help give your lawn a boost. Use our own Hudgins Lawn Fertilizer (24-i6-12) for best results. If you want to green up your lawn without creating extra top growth, use our Ironite product. |
MAY |
| APPLY CRABGRASS PREVENTER: |
| If you did not plant grass seed, apply a second application of crabgrass preventer. This is particularly important if you have had a lot of precipitation that can remove the chemical barrier from the soil. If you seeded in April, use a crabgrass preventer with Tupersand to allow your turf seed to germinate. |
JUNE / JULY |
| MOW LAWN HIGH: |
| Mow up to 3 1/2 inches, allowing clippings to remain on the lawn. This will shade the soil, reduce moisture loss and help prevent weed germination. If your lawn is new, water every three to four days, if there is no rainfall. Apply 1/2 inch of water each time. If your lawn is well-established (1-2 yr.), you may allow the grass to go dormant. It will start to lose color without irrigation, but it should green up in the Fall or whenever rainfall increases with little loss of plants. |
AUGUST / EARLY SEPTEMBER |
| AERATE: |
| Use a deep core aerator in the second half of the month. Before aerating, mow lawn very low and be sure soil is moist at least three or four inches down. Top-dress with 1/4 to 1/2 inch of compost after aerating. |
| LIME: |
| Apply 40 lbs. of lime per 1000 sq. ft. Use pelletized lime for ease of application. |
| SEED: |
| Spread grass seed before September 15 and no later than October 15. In bare area, use 6-8 pounds per 1000 sq. ft. If you are overseeding an existing lawn, use 3-4 pounds. |
| FERTILIZE: |
| Make first application of our Hudgins Lawn Fertilizer 24-6-12. If you are seeding an entire lawn, use our Hudgins Starter Fertilizer. |
| WATER: |
| Water is critical for seed germination. Keep the seed moist until it sprouts. Depending on rainfall, wind and temperatures, several light waterings (15 minutes) each day may be needed. Once you see the green sprouts, deeper watering (1/2 inch twice a week) is needed. |
OCTOBER |
| FERTILIZE: |
| Make second application of Hudgins Lawn Fertilizer 24-6-12 30 days after the September application. |
| KILL BROADLEAF WEEDS: |
Late in the month or early November, once temperatures have cooled to below 85 degrees, apply a broadleaf weed control product (see April above) to control weeds that have germinated during the early fall.
* To avoid damaging your new seedlings, do not apply weed control until you mow at least 3 times. |
NOVEMBER |
| RAKE AND FERTILIZE: |
| Rake or mow leaves which reduce sunlight reaching the grass. If the number of leaves is not large, leave them to be chopped up by the mower. Be careful not to rake up young seedlings. Make final application of Hudgins Lawn Fertilizer 24-6-12 approximately 30 days after October application. |
Keep this handy guide for your reminder.
Questions? Call Hudgins Garden Center & Nursery at (804)739-5100. |
