Let me first say that your garden might be the largest planting you’ve got in your property, right. You’ve got most likely by no means considered your garden as a plant, however the actuality is, it is loads of vegetation working collectively to outlive some loopy circumstances.With the common garden measuring 1/5 of an acre or 8712 sq. toes, it covers virtually 90% of most properties. I might say that is an superior alternative to alter not solely your properties curb attraction but in addition its future worth.Sadly, many people blindly undergo the motions when caring for our lawns, seeing the method as extra of a chore or a waste of a pair good hours on the weekend, as an alternative of the potential masterpiece that hides inside.The irony right here is humorous although, you see, your garden will proceed to develop it doesn’t matter what you do and, ultimately, you need to keep it anyway. So if you need to spend the time, why not give it the little little bit of consideration it requires and rapidly see it remodel earlier than your eyes.Skilled Suggestions – know whole sq. toes of grass space; saves cash when shopping for materials- use granular fertilizer; higher protection, higher outcomes, more healthy lawn- schedule fertilizer functions proper earlier than a sluggish, soaking rain if possible- apply crabgrass pre-emergent second week of April, not March; use excessive rate- all the time blow extra fertilizer from sidewalks/roadways again into the lawn- spot spray turf weeds, don’t spray complete garden; use much less chemicals- don’t mow 2 days earlier than or 2 days after weed spray; large weeds die faster- get soil check sometime to know PH; 7 is ideal however 5.5-6.5 is an effective start- use fertilizers w/low or no Phosphorus, 2nd # on bag; most soils have plenty- increase mower blades by elevating wheels to highest setting; Three”-3.5″ is best- some mower blade top settings aren’t right, verify on flat surface- sharpen mower blades month-to-month; makes an enormous distinction, takes 15 minutes- mow weekly; change route each Three weeks if utilizing a giant, heavy mower
– don’t bag when mowing; saves time, recycles fertilizer, doesn’t trigger thatch- mow first then weed eat second; you will save time and weed eat a lot less- weed eat on the identical top because the mowed grass; skilled finish- hold mowed grass within the grass, not in mulch beds or roadways; simpler cleanup- Lime raises PH, apply throughout aeration/seeding late August/early SeptemberLet’s get began. To make issues simpler, I’ll lay out a month by month schedule that I comply with for my skilled enterprise; simply comply with alongside on your property.That is for the administration of cool season grasses like Tall Fescue, Blue and Rye grass. They actively develop throughout the months of April, Could, early June and likewise September and October when the climate is cooler. Cool season grasses are normally discovered within the Mid Atlantic to Northern areas of the US.For those who dwell in a hotter space or Southern States, comply with together with the mowing schedule as wanted however alter fertilizer and bug functions to heat season grasses like Zoysia, Bahia, Bermuda, Centipede, and many others.March- get mower prepared, change oil, spark plug and sharpen blades- increase mower blades to highest setting; Three- Three.5 inches is best- clear sticks and winter particles from all garden areasApril- second week, 10th-15th, fertilize with combo fertilizer/crabgrass pre-emergent, use highest utility price on bag for crabgrass management, schedule proper earlier than it rains.- spot spray turf weeds utilizing a broadleaf weed killer, potential manufacturers Ortho, Spectracide. Label normally says kills the weeds, not the grass. Learn label earlier than use.- mow 2-Three instances in April as wanted, most likely beginning mid monthMay- fertilizer could have taken impact and it’s best to see greener, thicker grass. Begin mowing weekly, preserving blades sharp and mowing top excessive. Don’t bag the grass- weed eat and edge sidewalks and curbs weekly, makes an amazing differenceJune- proceed to mow weekly, weed eat and edge sidewalks and curbs- 2nd-Third week apply combo fertilizer with insecticide for Grubs (Japanese Beetle Larvae). As soon as once more attempt to schedule proper earlier than it rains. Search for the chemical Imidycloprid as your insecticide. This chemical will slowly work its approach by means of the plant and get rid of the brand new larvae that actually harm your turf as they feed in late August/ September. This is not going to get rid of rising grownup Beetles in June/July.- spot spray turf weeds utilizing a broadleaf weed killer. Learn label earlier than useJuly – proceed to mow as wanted; temperature and moisture will dictate whether or not it is weekly or unfold out longer, hold mowing top excessive and blades sharp. If the grass is dry and never rising, don’t mow.- weed eat and edge sidewalks and curbsAugust – proceed to mow as wanted, temperature and moisture will dictate once more whether or not it is weekly or unfold out longer, hold mowing top excessive and blades sharp. If the grass is dry and never rising, don’t mow- weed eat and edge sidewalks and curbs- final week of August, aerate and over seed your garden. To realize one of the best outcomes when aerating, the soil ought to be moist sufficient so the tines on the machine penetrate a minimum of 2″ into the bottom. Comply with the climate and schedule aeration proper after a protracted soaking rain. Don’t aerate if the soil is dry and exhausting, you’ll be losing your time.In case your garden is in fairly fine condition, which means having 75% or extra current grass protection, merely unfold the seed (I desire a Tall Fescue combine) instantly over the aeration holes to include. If weed management has produced a number of open patches of soil, scratch these areas with a cultivator or exhausting rake, unfold the seed after which calmly rake with a leaf rake, head inverted, to maneuver the soil and canopy the seed. You may also cowl the seed with mild layer of topsoil.- the aeration/seeding course of is one of the best time so as to add Lime to your soil. Unfold the Lime over your garden at a price of 15 lbs per/1000 sq ft. The pellets will fall into the aeration holes and get proper all the way down to the basis zone the place they do their greatest work.
September- proceed to mow, shifting again to weekly by the top of the month, hold mowing top excessive and blades sharp- weed eat and edge sidewalks and curbs- final week of September, fertilize the garden, making use of 1 pound of Nitrogen per 1000 sq. feetOctober- proceed to mow weekly, hold your mowing top excessive and blades sharp. Final 2 weeks of October begin reducing mowing top down from Three.5 inches to three.25 and eventually Three inches for the ultimate mow.- weed eat and edge sidewalks and curbs- spot spray for turf weeds utilizing a broadleaf weed killer. Give the brand new seeds 6 weeks to germinate and mature earlier than you spray for weedsNovember – relying on the climate, you’ll mow one or two instances to complete the season; hold your closing mow top at Three inches. The shorter grass makes leaf cleanup simpler and likewise retains the garden trying neat by means of the winter; weed eat and edge sidewalks and curbs to complete.As you’ll be able to see from the schedule above, you might be requested to do some greater than you’ve got previously, however outdoors of a pair extra hours to fertilize and spray, you are already utilizing this time anyway, why not get a payback!Sooner or later, attempt to undertake this philosophy in the case of turf care, ” The more you do, the less you do “. This merely means, you will spend much less time, cash, cut back harmful chemical utilization and obtain a thicker, extra stunning garden, for those who keep on a constant program.Bear in mind, your caring for the one planting that covers 90% of your property and whether or not you realize it or not, your garden is quietly talking to everybody who passes by; what’s it saying about you?Information is grass. Develop it!Toddtwscapes@gmail.com