Turf Tips
Whether you do it yourself, or hire a company, observing the following suggestions will make a big difference in the quality of your lawn.
Mowing
- Never remove more than 1/3 of the leaf blade per mow.
- Mow with sharp blades.
- Avoid mowing when the turf and/or the soil is too wet.
- Vary the mowing patterns to avoid ruts.
- Mow the turf to a height of 3-4 inches.
- Clippings are beneficial to the lawn unless the turf is diseased or has weed seeds present.
- Avoid scalping the turf with string trimmers.
Irrigation
- Irrigation is the supplemental application of water to a lawn.
- The best time to water is between 4:00 and 10:00 a.m.
- Deep, infrequent watering is preferable to frequent light watering.
- Soil types will help determine irrigation practices as sandy soil drains quicker than soil with heavy clay.
Fertilization
- Proper use of fertilizer is an important part of maintaining a healthy stand of turf.
- The label on a bag of fertilizer lists many ingredients with the main ingredients being nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K).
- A soil test, recommended to be done about every three years, will help identify the nutritional needs of the soil.
- Kentucky Bluegrass and Perennial Ryegrass needs 2-6 lbs of nitrogen per 1000 sq. ft. per season and Tall Fescue and Fine Fescue needs 1-4 lbs.
- Slow-release fertilizer is preferable to quick release.
- If possible, irrigate following fertilization.
- Blow off the hard surfaces following an application.