Spring Lawn Care

Step 1: Preparing the Soil for Seeding or Overseeding
Heavy compact soils may require aeration or tilling. Although best done in the fall, loosening soil will help seedlings get established. Compost will help break up clay soils and add valuable organic content to sandy soil. If tilling, spread 2" or more of compost over the surface and till it in. If aerating, spread 1/4 - 1/2 inch over the surface after aerating.

Step 2: Correcting Soil pH for Healthier Lawns
Lime raises the pH of acidic soil so that fertilizer is more readily available to the grass plant. A pH of 6.2 - 6.5 is ideal for turf. Soil should be tested to determine the pH. In the absence of a test, apply lime at the rate of 40 lbs. per 1000 square feet.

Step 3: Applying Fertilizer
We recommend Hudgins Lawn Fertilizer for new or existing lawns. If you have low phosphorus soil, we suggest using Hudgins Starter Fertilizer . You should apply fertilizer one time in the spring and three times in the fall (September, October, and November S.O.N.) Do not apply during the hot summer months.

Hudgins Lawn Fertilizer is specially formulated to meet the standards recommended by the Chesterfield County Extension Office for water and soil quality protection in this area. By applying Hudgins Lawn Fertilizer with a 4:1:2 ratio, you are replacing nutrients at the rate the grass is using them so there is no runoff or leaching of excess nutrients. it is a slow release, long lasting fertilizer with a 24-6-12 analysis.

Step 4: Applying Seed

Hudgins recommends using a quality turf type fescue seed for lawns. Our specially blended Greenscape Blend of 4 tall fescue seeds is an excellent seed for the soil and weather conditions in this area if you have 4 hours or more of sunlight per day. If you have less than 2 hours of sunshine, use our Hudgins Shade Blend.

Seed Application Rates
Greenscape Blend	New Lawn Establishment	4-6 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft.
	Overseeding Existing Lawn	3-4 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft.
* use in areas that receive 4 hours or more of sunlight each day.
Hudgins Shade Blend	New Lawn Establishment	5-6 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft.
	Overseeding Existing Lawn	3-5 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft.
* use in areas that receive less than 4 hours of filtered sunlight each day.

You may apply seed, lime and fertilizer all at the same time. If the weather is extremely dry, it is best to lime and fertilize first, water it in well, and apply seed a few days later.

Step 5: Covering the Seed to Retain Lawn Moisture

Cover the newly seeded areas with a light covering of peat moss or straw, especially if you have a slope. Existing lawns may not need a cover. Use 1 bale of straw for 400 - 800 sq. ft. or 1 bale of peat for 500-1000 sq. ft.

Approximate Coverage
1 Bale Peat Moss	500-1,000 sq. ft.
1 Bale Straw	400-800 sq. ft.

Step 6: Watering Your Lawn Successfully

New seed should be kept moist untill it germinates, a light watering twice a day for 10 to 15 minutes. After you see the green sprouts, deep watering of 1/2" twice a week will help develop deeper roots. Use a coffee cup or straight -sided can to measure how long your sprinkler takes to get 1/2" of water. Water in the morning before 10:a.m. for best results.

You are now on your way to a beautiful lawn.
The staff at Hudgins will be glad to answer any questions you may have. Feel free to contact Hudgins Garden Center & Nursery for any lawn and garden questions at (804) 739-5100.

LAWNCARE PRODUCT
APPLICATION GUIDELINES

Crabgrass Control

Crabgrass preventer may be applied mid-February through March depending on the warmth of the spring season. If we have a very early warm spring it is important to apply the crabgrass preventer with or without fertilizer and also a liquid crabgrass killer to spot treat areas you may have missed. However, the best way to control crabgrass is to prevent crabgrass by applying a granular crabgrass preventer.

IMPORTANT: If you want to seed your lawn, you must use a special crabgrass preventer that can be used when seeding lawns. We have both the seeding and non-seeding types of crabgrass preventer in our store.

Broadleaf Weed Control

Broadleaf weeds such as chickweed and dandelions can be controlled two ways.

Apply a broadleaf weed preventer Mid-February through March depending on the warmth of the spring season. However, this product is rather expensive for treating large areas. We recommend this product for use in areas that have been trouble spots with weeds. The broadleaf weed preventer is available in our store.
Most broadleaf weeds are easily controlled after germination. applying wed control products when the weeds are young, will give you the best results. We have broadleaf weed control available in granular, liquid, and ready to spray hose end applicators. (Liquid weed killers may be used at lower temperatues and many are rain proof in 6 hours. This helps take some of the guess work out of weed control.)
Broadleaf weed control should be applied when temperatures are above 60-70 degrees and no precipitation is predicted for 48 hours. DO NOT CUT your lawn before applying weed control. The more contact the weed control has with the leaves of the weeds, the better the results. You may have to make two applications of weed control during the spring/summer season depending on the severity of weeds in your lawn.
IMPORTANT: Do not apply weed killer to newly seeded lawns until you have mowed your lawn three times. However, new seed may be applied 7-14 days after a weed control application.

Lawn Insect Control

Controlling lawn insects such as fleas, ticks, and grubs can be done anytime during the spring and summer seasons. The most effective treatment is to apply a granular insect control with a spreader and then water your lawn to help the insect control to absorb into the soil.

Lawn Disease Control

Lawn diseases such as brown patch can be prevented and controlled depending on the products and application program you choose.

Preventative - By applying a multi-purpose fungicide every 30-45 days starting in mid-May, you can prevent lawn diseases in your lawn. We have both liquid and granular products available in our store.

Curative - Once a lawn disease such as brown patch has started in your lawn, you need to treat your lawn with a lawn fungicide to cure the problem. You may also have to follow up the treatment with a second or third application depending on the severity of your lawn disease. We recommend a granular application of a lawn fungicide for best results.

IMPORTANT: Overwatering, watering at night, and over fertilizing contribute tot he start of lawn diseases. Be sure to follow proper watering and fertilizing recommendations to minimize lawn disease problems. Lawn disease control problems may be applied anytime or as needed during the spring and summer seasons.

ALWAYS READ MANUFACTURERS DIRECTIONS AND WARNINGS ON BAG LABEL. FOLLOW DIRECTIONS AS LABELED ON THE PRODUCTS YOU ARE USING. DISPOSE OF ALL PRODUCTS AS RECOMMENDED BY MANUFACTURER. HUDGINS FARM & GARDEN CENTER ASSUMES NO LIABILITY FOR THE USE OF CHEMICALS/FERTILIZERS BY HOMEOWNER OR CONTRACTOR.

Keep this handy guide for your reminder.
Questions? Call Hudgins Garden Center & Nursery at (804)739-5100.