Lawn Care Made Easy

How do you grow a healthy, attractive lawn that’s free of insects, diseases and weeds? Understanding what your lawn needs to be healthy is key; this lawn care calendar should prove helpful.

Spring:  March – May

-Mowing: Resume mowing when turfgrass begins active growth. Bluegrasses, tall fescues and ryegrasses are cool season grasses; they prefer the cooler temperatures of spring and fall. Mower blades should be set at 3 – 3 ½ inches. If you mow regularly, leave the clippings. This recycles nutrients back into the soil.  Start the season with sharp mower blades. De-thatch the lawn, if needed, at this time.

-Weed control: Crabgrass is a spring weed. Pre-emergent control should be applied when forsythia is in bloom. It is advisable to avoid seeding if using crabgrass control. If you must seed, only one material can be safely used. If the pre-emergent timeframe is missed, crabgrass can be controlled using a post-emergent herbicide.  Dandelions and other broadleaved weeds can be controlled with a broadleaved herbicide. Spot treatment is preferred when only a few weeds exist. Always read and follow label directions to a tee.

-Watering: If spring rains are not adequate (1 inch of rainfall a week), then supplemental irrigation is needed. It is best to apply 1 – 1 ½ inches of water in one application.  Sandier soils will dry more quickly than clay soils and may require additional moisture during dry periods.

-Fertilizing: A complete lawn fertilizer, containing Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P) and Potassium (K) should be applied, according to label directions around Memorial Day.  If you are using a Step program – whether chemical or organic, follow the package directions for timing of application.

-Liming: Only a soil test can determine pH. Lawns prefer a pH range of 6.2 to 6.8 (6.5 is optimum). Lime is used to raise the soil pH if below the desired range. Rates are based on soil type - sandy, loam or clay type soils. As a general rule, Long Island soils are typically acidic.

-Insects: Overwintering grubs will begin to feed on grass roots as the soil warms. Insecticides for grub control, depending on the material used, can be applied. Read the label directions for frequency, timing and rate of application.


Summer: June - August

-Mowing: Hot weather will slow down Kentucky bluegrass and ryegrass growth during the summer months.  Keep mower blade sharp and set at 3 – 3 ½ inches.

-Weed Control: Herbicides should be avoided on hot and/or windy summer days. If small patches of weeds are located, spot treat if necessary.

-Watering: Cool season grasses will slow down during summer heat.  Watering is critical during periods of dry weather. Apply 1 – 1 ½ inches of water per week, preferably in one application and not broken down to short intervals each day.  Long, thorough waterings encourage deep root systems. Sandier soils will dry more quickly than clay soils and may require additional moisture during dry periods.

-Fertilizing:  If you are using a Step program – whether chemical or organic, follow the package directions for timing of application.

-Insects: Chinch bugs can be troublesome during the hot summer months; insecticides can be used to control them. Various turfgrass beetles will lay eggs in the soil that will give way to grubs. Insecticides for grub control, depending on the material used, are generally applied in August. Read the label directions for frequency, timing and rate of application.

Seeding, Renovation: Lawns are typically renovated, starting in mid-August, on Long Island.  If a total renovation is required a non-selective herbicide can be used to kill existing turf. Within 7-10 days, the area can then be prepared for seed or sod. Cooler temperatures and adequate rainfall, typical of Long Island autumns, make for ideal turfgrass establishment.


Fall: September – October

-Mowing:  Cooler temperatures encourage turf to resume active growth. Mower blades should be sharp and set at 3 – 3 ½ inches.  If the lawn is mowed regularly, clippings can be recycled back on the lawn.  De-thatch the lawn, if needed, at this time.

-Weed Control:  Broadleaved weeds can be controlled with a broadleaved herbicide, according to label directions.

-Watering: Supplemental irrigation is needed when rainfall is less than one inch per week.

-Fertilizing: An application around Labor Day is recommended. Follow label rates for application. If you are using a Step program – whether chemical or organic, follow the package directions for when to apply.

-Insects: Grubs will continue to actively feed in lawns until the soil cools in late fall. Insecticides for grub control should be applied. Read the label directions for frequency, timing and rate of application.

     
Winter: November – February

-Mowing: Last mowing for the season is typically around Thanksgiving. Set mower blades to 2 inches for the final mowing.

-Snow and de-icing salts:  Stay off turf when frozen. If de-icing salts are used, be careful of runoff that can damage existing turf and plants.