Spring Lawn Care Event Handout.
Lawn Facts
- Lawn does not belong in our landscapes. If you want a nice lawn on Long Island, it requires significant maintenance to keep it in good health. Lack of maintenance for turf results in decline, and weeds will outcompete the desirable turf grass. (Crabgrass, Dandelions, Purslane, and Chickweed). Most of these weeds are considered "broadleaf weeds."
- Turf is a cool weather plant that prefers spring & fall temperatures. This is when it looks the best. Grass will not usually appear as you want during summer conditions. Lack of color and vigor facilitates a comedic response of more water, which prompts more diseases and further decline.
- If you want to improve the condition of your lawn, consider a conventional program for the first year. As it improves, we encourage you to move towards organic treatments. If you're starting in spring, you likely want to do a couple of treatments and enjoy the results. You assume you need grass seed to fill the thin areas - wrong! What you need is patience and commitment to doing 4 or 5 treatments throughout the entire year. Commit to grass seed in late August/September. There is an alternative to do both.
- If you want to enhance and maintain your lawn, the process should be continuous. The benefits are cumulative. The more care you provide, the better the results will be. Each treatment will include fertilizer. Nutrients are provided, and the early applications will help to suppress weeds.
- Every homeowner should be considering an organic approach to lawn maintenance. Overuse of lawn care products can have an adverse effect. Avoid letting your pets on conventional products after they're first applied. Allow them to dissolve into the soil, and then it's much safer for children and pets.
Conventional Treatments
1st Step (April 1 or close)
- Apply: A combined treatment of fertilizer and crabgrass control. The fertilizer will likely have a high nitrogen rating and zero phosphate.
- Timing: This application requires accurate timing for the best results. Being too early reduces the duration of "protection." Being late allows crabgrass to get established. The active ingredient is effective for 21–28 days.
- Tips: Minimize activity on the areas you treat with crabgrass control. Raking, mowing, or walking on the lawn after this product is applied reduces the efficacy of the treatment.
Lime Application (April–October)
- Apply: A dolomitic lime treatment to adjust the soil pH of your lawn. Use 1 bag for every 5,000 sq ft.
- Timing: Apply anytime the lawn is actively growing. Lime can be applied together or separately with other treatments and at any time during this period. Spring and fall applications are recommended.
2nd Step (21–28 days after 1st application)
- Apply: A combined treatment of fertilizer, crabgrass control, and broadleaf weed control. High nitrogen, zero phosphate.
- Timing: Weather and temperatures dictate the germination period of crabgrass, requiring precise scheduling.
- Tips: This application includes control for broadleaf weeds. As the lawn improves, a broadcast treatment for weeds may become unnecessary.
3rd Step (June)
- Apply: A fertilizer treatment with declining nitrogen levels (zero phosphate). Spot treatments for broadleaf weeds may still be required.
- Timing: Scheduling is more flexible at this stage.
- Tips: Water or irrigate this application thoroughly after it's applied to prevent damage from fertilizer salts during hot days.
Organic Treatments
1st Step (Late March–Early April)
- Apply: An organic fertilizer with corn gluten to suppress crabgrass while providing nutrients.
- Timing: Observe crabgrass germination, often indicated by Forsythia blooming. Consider supplemental applications for effective crabgrass control.
- Tips: Corn gluten has minimal persistence, so repeated applications may be necessary.
2nd Step (4 weeks after 1st application)
- Apply: Another organic fertilizer treatment. Broadleaf weeds may appear, which can be managed by pulling or mowing.
- Tips: Adequate fertility is essential for maintaining healthy turf grass. No viable organic herbicides exist for controlling weeds post-emergence.
3rd Step (Before Summer)
- Apply: A third organic fertilizer treatment to sustain turf health as temperatures rise.
- Tips: Even if growth slows in high temperatures, treatments remain beneficial.
Lime Application (Anytime Grass is Growing)
- Apply: Dolomitic lime treatment (1 bag per 5,000 sq ft) to adjust soil pH and improve the efficacy of organic fertilizers.
- Tips: Lime plays a vital role in organic programs. For poor lawn conditions, consider doubling lime applications (2 in spring, 1 in fall).
Cultural Practices
Watering and Irrigation
- Water treatments after application for optimal results, but it is not critical. Summer irrigation should be deep and infrequent—replicating a rainstorm.
Mowing
- Avoid cutting too low, especially during early treatments, and let grass grow to at least 3–3.5”.
Overseeding
- Perform in late August or September for ideal results. Prepare the soil thoroughly before seeding.
Edging
- Avoid scalping the lawn with equipment to prevent stress and damage to the grass.