With four seasons, dozens of different grass seeds and mixes, and hundreds of fertilizer formulations and products for weeds, bugs, and fungi, it’s no wonder lawn care can seem overwhelming at times.
Breathe. We’re here to help! 😁
With over 60 years of experience in all things green, Mendham Garden Center has developed a simple step-by-step approach to lawn care 101.
First…
Step 1: Get Healthy
A beautiful lawn is not just for good looks. Beauty is power. A healthy lawn is better prepared to combat invaders like weeds, bugs, and fungi.
A healthy lawn starts from the ground up. Start with a soil test to assess your nutrient levels and pH. Ideally, you want a slightly acidic pH between 6.2 and 6.8. If your soil’s pH is off, we will formulate a program for you, kind of like a doctor writing a prescription. Adjusting pH is straightforward with the right lawn treatment supplies, like lime, which can be applied any time of year.
For more information, read our series on soil testing:
- Part 1: Soil Physical Evaluation
- Part 2: Managing Soil Compaction
- Part 3: Soil Testing for Nutrient Availability
Step 2: Year-Round Lawn Care
Once you’ve done your soil test and balanced its pH appropriately, just follow the simple timeline below:
Spring
Your lawn awakens from its winter slumber in the spring and for breakfast it consumes the nutrient reserves it stored in its roots from the previous fall. As these reserves are depleted, turf must begin to produce new carbohydrate nutrients. We recommend a light application of nitrogen to promote top growth in turf, where nutrients are made.
Sometime in early spring, as your turf begins to re-grow, we may recommend a fertilizer to apply at the rate of about ¾ to 1 pound per 1000 sq. ft.
Seems simple enough right? “What could go wrong” you ask? Weeds! ……aaargh! 😡
No worries, we’ve got you covered. Crabgrass starts to germinate when soil temperatures reach roughly 60 degrees. Around the time between the Forsythia and Lilac blooms in New Jersey, we may recommend a pre-emergent weed control product like Greenview Crabgrass Control or possibly a combination fertilizer product later on like Lebanon Seaboard Corp’s Greenview Fairway With Weed & Crabgrass Control.
Broadleaf weed control products like Greenview Weed and Feed are best applied when air temperatures are below 85 degrees, generally in mid to late spring when your weeds are actively growing and at their largest point of growth. This assures the most absorption of the product by the weeds. If re-seeding is planned, we will recommend applying these weed control products according to the instructions on product labels. Weed controls for broadleaf should be applied in the morning when there is dew, and no rainfall is expected for 24 hours.
Around this time of year, monitor for any active insect infestations by lifting small patches of your turf to examine underneath. Treatments such as Bayer Bio-Advanced for Grub Control or similar insect treatments work well but keep in mind, you may need to apply them 2-3 times over a month.
Summer
Depending on the condition of your lawn, you may choose to fertilize and/or re-seed. However, due to the heat, an ample supply of water must be available. That means you’ll have to irrigate when rain is not cooperating.
If Crab grasses or broadleaf weeds appear during this time, it is best to spot-treat with liquid control products like Bonide Weed Beater in the early morning or evening to avoid burning your grass.
Fall
Here we are, game time!
Fall is crucial for lawn care, with two-thirds of your maintenance happening now. From mid-August to early September, turf makes carbohydrates in its green leaves to recover from the stress of heat, insects, and weed competition during the summer. It then stores the surplus in its roots for the following spring to support top growth. Applying nitrogen fertilizer during this process is helpful.
A healthy lawn is as effective at “choking out” invasive weeds as possible, especially when supplemented with weed control products.
Fall Fertilization Rules of Thumb:
- 2/3 of yearly nitrogen fertilizer should be applied in the fall.
- 1/3 in early fall around Labor Day helps the lawn re-establish a deep root system and creates a thick, green, lovely lawn.
- 1/3 in late fall after growing season when the lawn goes dormant but before the ground freezes, between the end of October and mid-November.
September through October is the perfect time to over-seed and/or seed. Again, this is an important step that thickens your lawn, so weeds are less likely to take hold. Depending on sun exposure and other conditions, we can recommend the right seed like our Low Maintenance, Shady Mix, or Special Mix.
Want to know more? Read our blog, Preparing Your Lawn for The Fall Season | Fertilize Weed and Seed!
Winter
While your lawn rests, you can enjoy winter activities—like building a snowman to stand guard!
Year-Round Lawn Care Quick Guide
To sum it all up, we’ve prepared a quick guide to keeping your lawn lush and beautiful with seasonal lawn care tasks. Consider this your pocket guide to lawn and pest control!
- Early Spring: Soil test, adjust your PH, and apply weed preventatives and/or fertilizer.
- Mid Spring: Treat perennial weeds and fertilize with reliable lawn treatment supplies according to individual manufacturer recommendations, apply insect treatments if necessary.
- Early to Mid-Fall: Aerate, apply a cool season turf seed blend, and lime/fertilize according to test prior test results.
- Late Fall: Fertilize one last time.
- Winter: Rest! 😁
Conclusion
Mendham Garden Center is your go-to resource for New Jersey property owners seeking expert guidance in lawn care. With over 60 years of experience, we simplify the complexities of maintaining a vibrant and healthy lawn. From soil testing and pH adjustments to tailored fertilization and weed control strategies, our knowledgeable team is dedicated to helping you achieve the lush landscape you desire.
Explore our wide selection of quality lawn care supplies, from seeds and fertilizer to Toro lawn equipment and Stihl tools. Join the many satisfied customers who have transformed their outdoor spaces with our expertise. Visit us today and let’s grow together!