Ahhhh! The cool down is finally here. Hopefully, we are getting some rain. If not, start watering to help repair some of that damage done from the summer heat. Your lawn should be getting 1 inch of water per week. Remember not to water over 1/4 of an inch at a time to avoid run off. Fall and spring are the times the lawns will start repairing themselves through under ground rhizomes. Blue grass and RTF fescue will start to thicken some thin spots. Mother Nature will help some, but she may need a little help with some of those thin spots.
Yes, its time to seed. September though October are the optimal times to seed. Remember that whatever you seed now will not fully mature until mid to late spring the following year. If you would like for us to seed for you please read Company Seeding and contact us.
Fall is also a good time to lay sod. Laying sod at this time of the year will allow it to develop a strong root system to be able to handle the heat next summer. Sod may also be laid early spring, but the later it is laid, the more problems you are likely to have.
It is also a good idea to apply Earth Right soil conditioner to de-compact the soil in your lawn. This will allow your new seed or sod to develop a stronger, deeper root system. Earth Right will increase germination of new seed by 46%. Just apply Earth Right over your new seed or sod. Earth Right will take about 2 weeks before it starts to work. That's just about the time your seed will start to germinate.
Keep your seed constantly damp. Lightly water at 9 am, Noon and 3pm. Improper watering will result in poor germination.
All Those Leafs!
If you have seeded and your new grass is coming up it is important to keep your leaf's picked up. Leaf's that are allowed to lay on your new grass for more than a couple of days may damage your new grass. Research has shown that leafs that are being mulched actually return valuable nutrients in to the soil. Do not allow leaf's to build up to access. Mowing often will help keep leaf build up to a minimum. If you have heavy leaf cover they will need to be picked up.
Making Good Use Of Your Leafs
Leaf's that have picked up make good winter mulch for your flower beds or they make good compost and can also be tilled into your garden.