Early spring (April – Mid May) Apply crabgrass preventer, either Chemical type or organic Corn gluten. Crabgrass is an annual weed that re-seeds itself each year. It is very difficult to control once it is up and growing. Crabgrass preventer forms a barrier that kills the crabgrass seed as it germinates. Seeds will begin germinating when the ground temperature reaches 50º F. (Usually after 3 consecutive 70 -75º F days or about the time the crabapple trees begin to bloom.) Do not plant grass seed if using crabgrass preventer (including corn gluten) because your grass seed will not germinate. Spring, Summer and Fall Use Scotts Lawn Fertilizer or Organic Lawn Fertilizer. Fertilizer will help build and maintain a sturdy, luxuriant and beautiful lawn. It can be used any time of the year and provides sustained feeding without excessive growth. Read and follow all directions, and repeat as needed throughout the growing season. Broad-leaf Weed Control (dandelions, thistles, ‘creeping charlie’, etc.): · Spray with broad-leaf weed control products such as Fertilome Weed-out* or Weed Zone*. · OR, use 2-way Scotts Weed and Feed granular weed control*. Apply in the morning when the dew is on the grass, so it will stick for better absorption. · Hard to kill weeds such as Creeping Charlie are best controlled by spraying two times, ten days apart. Read and follow all directions. *These products kill through the leaf tissue, so control is achieved only when weeds are actively growing. You must wait to treat until late spring, usually when the dandelions are blooming. Do not water or mow your lawn for 24-48 hours after applying broadleaf herbicides to give the products a chance to be fully absorbed. These products will kill anything with a “broad leaf”, including your shrubs and flower beds, so use with caution and follow all label directions. Special Note: Quackgrass: Looks similar to crabgrass, but is distinguished by its long white underground runners. This is a perennial weed that comes up each year from its root system. There is no effective way to kill this weed except with a total kill herbicide such as “Roundup”. Pulling it up before it is dead only multiplies the problem. In heavily weeded lawns, sometimes it is best to kill everything off and start over with new grass seed. Also, over-seeding with grass seed (1-2 lbs/1000 sq. ft.) will help to crowd out unwanted weeds. Fall Apply Scott’s fertilizer, Organic Lawn Food or Scott’s weed and Feed with weed control. Fall fertilizing will thicken your lawn for the next season by stimulating bud growth in the fall. Fall fertilizing also helps to rebuild roots to withstand winter dormancy. Mid-September through Mid-October is a very good time to kill broadleaf weeds either by spraying (best method) or using granular weed killers. In the fall, weeds are quick to absorb and store herbicides because they are getting ready for winter, making the weed killers very effective. For best results, the air temperature should be at least 50°F on the day of application. Cultural Habits to Promote a Better Lawn 1. Sharpen your mower blades. Allows grass to heal better after cutting. 2. Set mower blades high, about 2½ - 3 inches (except very last mowing in fall). Mowing grass too short severely stresses it by removing too much moisture and nutrients. Longer grass will also do a better job of shading out weeds. 3. Mow often! Try never to remove more than 1/3rd of the total growth. 4. Water deeply, at least ½ - 1 inch each time. Light waterings encourage shallow rooting, which will lead to a weak lawn. 5. Apply lawn fertilizer in the spring, summer and fall according to label directions. A healthy, thick lawn will help crowd out weeds naturally, and produce less run-off into our lakes. 6. Buy a mulching mower and leave clippings on the ground. Removing clippings robs your lawn of water, nutrients and micro-organisms which help to remove the thatch layer. 7. Aerate your lawn in fall. Either rent a machine or have it done professionally. Lawn core-aerators remove cores of soil to lessen soil compaction. This promotes better rooting and better overall health for your lawn. 8. Over-seed lightly with grass seed every fall, about September 1st (1-2lbs/1000 sq. ft.). A thick lawn will help crowd out weed problems. 9. Cut your grass short (2”) late in the fall after the grass has gone dormant. Long grass will lie over on its side under snow, and be more susceptible to disease problems. |
