Turf Care
Turf Care
How to develop turf into a lush, mature lawn.
WATERING
Watering early in the morning or before sunrise is best! The next best thing is to water after the sun goes down.
New Turf
Begin watering immediately!
Keep the turf moist for the first
few days. Avoid run-off. After a
few days, and until first mowing,
water approximately once a day, preferably early in the morning.
In very hot weather, water twice
a day. After the first mowing,
and for the first month, reduce
watering to about three
times per week.
Grass will respond best to slow,
gentle watering where the water
has a chance to soak in well.
To prevent root rot, allow enough time between watering for the soil surface to dry. Increase watering in very hot weather, and decrease during
periods of heavy rainfall.
Mature Turf
Two Good Soaks Per Week
Water approximately two times per week to the to a depth of 6” - 8” and accumulation of 1/2” of water per application. (light sprinkling on a
more frequent basis will encourage
surface root growth).
To prevent root rot, allow enough time between watering for the soil surface to dry. Increase watering in very hot weather, and decrease during periods of heavy rainfall.
WATERING
Watering early in the morning or before sunrise is best! The next best thing is to water after the sun goes down.
New Turf
Begin watering immediately!
Keep the turf moist for the first few days. Avoid run-off. After a few days, and until first mowing, water approximately once a day, preferably early in the morning. In very hot weather, water twice a day. After the first mowing, and for the first month, reduce watering to about three times per week.
Grass will respond best to slow, gentle watering where the water has a chance to soak in well.
To prevent root rot, allow enough time between watering for the soil surface to dry. Increase watering in very hot weather, and decrease during periods
of heavy rainfall.
Mature Turf
Two Good Soaks Per Week
Water approximately two times per week to the to a depth of 6” - 8” and accumulation of 1/2” of water per application. (light sprinkling on a more frequent basis will encourage surface root growth).
To prevent root rot, allow enough time between watering for the soil surface to dry. Increase watering in very hot weather, and decrease during periods of heavy rainfall.
MOWING
New Turf
The lawn is ready for its first mowing when the turf has rooted to your soil. Discontinue watering one day prior to mowing to allow the soil surface to
dry and stabilize.
As with any lawn, no more than 1/3
of the grass blade should be removed at any one mowing. Recommended heights is 1½”. For the health of
your lawn, keep the blade of
your mower sharp.
Mature Turf
Mow at regular intervals and change the mowing pattern with each mowing (i.e. mow North/South one time, East/West the next).
Mow more frequently in spring and fall. Keep turf longer in summer, never taking more than 1/3 off
or 3/4” at a time.
MOWING
New Turf
The lawn is ready for its first mowing when the turf has rooted to your soil. Discontinue watering one day prior to mowing to allow the soil surface to dry
and stabilize.
As with any lawn, no more than 1/3 of the grass blade should be removed at any one mowing. Recommended heights is 1½”. For the health of your lawn, keep the blade of your mower sharp.
Mature Turf
Mow at regular intervals and change the mowing pattern with each mowing (i.e. mow North/South one time, East/West the next).
Mow more frequently in spring and fall. Keep turf longer in summer, never taking more than 1/3 off or 3/4” at a time.
FERTILIZING
An ongoing fertilizing program is as essential as watering to produce a
lush lawn. Your lawn will stay
healthy and green when it
receives a steady
supply of food.
More light applications of fertilizer are better than fewer heavy applications, and will produce more consistent
grass color and rate of growth.
New Turf
Application rates for fertilizers are approximately 7-8 Lbs per 1,000 sq. ft.
Time Of Installation
Apply a 16-16-16 starter fertilizer
at the time of installation.
One Month Later
Apply a 21-7-14 fertilizer.
After First Month
Based on the vitality and color of the lawn, apply a 21-7-14 fertilizer every month during the growing season (March thru September).
October or November
Apply one application of a fall & winter fertilizer (12-10-10) or (10-20-20). Time this application at about the
last mowing of the season.
Mature Turf
Fertilizing should occur at least
three times per year, best is five
times per year.
Application rates for fertilizers are approx. 7-8 Lbs per 1,000 sq. ft.
March/April
Apply a 16-16-16 fertilizer in
the spring (March/April).
One Month Later
Apply a 21-7-14 fertilizer based
on the vitality and color of the lawn.
April thru September
Apply a 21-7-14 fertilizer every
month during the growing season.
October or November
Apply one application of a fall & winter fertilizer (12-10-10) or (10-20-20). Time this application at about the
last mowing of the season.
FERTILIZING
An ongoing fertilizing program is as essential as watering to produce a lush lawn. Your lawn will stay healthy and green when it receives a steady supply
of food.
More light applications of fertilizer are better than fewer heavy applications, and will produce more consistent grass color and rate of growth.
New Turf
Application rates for fertilizers are approximately 7-8 Lbs per 1,000 sq. ft.
Time Of Installation
Apply a 16-16-16 starter fertilizer at the time of installation.
One Month Later
Apply a 21-7-14 fertilizer.
After First Month
Based on the vitality and color of the lawn, apply a 21-7-14 fertilizer every month during the growing season (March thru September).
October or November
Apply one application of a fall & winter fertilizer (12-10-10) or (10-20-20). Time this application at about the last mowing of the season.
Mature Turf
Fertilizing should occur at least three times per year, best is five times per year.
Application rates for fertilizers are approx. 7-8 Lbs per 1,000 sq. ft.
March/April
Apply a 16-16-16 fertilizer in the spring (March/April).
One Month Later
Apply a 21-7-14 fertilizer based on the vitality and color of the lawn.
April thru September
Apply a 21-7-14 fertilizer every
month during the growing season.
October or November
Apply one application of a fall & winter fertilizer (12-10-10) or (10-20-20). Time this application at about the last mowing of the season.
A good way to remember when
to fertilize is to do it around
the following 5 holidays:
Easter, Memorial Day,
4th of July, Labor Day
and Halloween.
A good way to remember when to fertilize is to do it around the following 5 holidays:
Easter, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day and Halloween.
INSECTICIDE
Apply insecticide once a year either in the fall for preventive maintenance (Oct 1 - Oct 31) or in spring if
Crane Fly damage occurs.
INSECTICIDE
Apply insecticide once a year either in the fall for preventive maintenance (Oct 1 - Oct 31) or in spring if Crane Fly damage occurs.
Lawn Care Secrets
How To Maintain
A Beautiful Lawn!
Lawn Care Secrets
How To Maintain A Beautiful Lawn!
LIMING
COASTAL AREAS ONLY
Apply Once or Twice Yearly
Due to the large amount of rain
we receive on the West Coast, soil
pH can become very low. A low
soil pH (less than 6.5) suppresses
beneficial bacteria and can cause
the elements in the soil (particularly
phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and
sulfur) to be tied up in unavailable
forms that the plant cannot use. With
the turf depleted of nutrients, moss
or weeds can easily become
invasive, choking out the grass.
Lime should be applied once or
twice a year. Application rates
are 50# per 1,000 sq. ft. Apply
full rate if applying once a
year and apply half rate
if applying twice a year
(spring and fall).
LIMING
COASTAL AREAS ONLY - Apply Once or Twice Yearly
Due to the large amount of rain we receive on the West Coast, soil pH can become very low. A low soil pH (less than 6.5) suppresses beneficial bacteria and can cause the elements in the soil (particularly phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and sulfur) to be tied up in unavailable forms that the plant cannot use. With the turf depleted of nutrients, moss or weeds can easily become invasive, choking out the grass.
Lime should be applied once or twice a year. Application rates are 50# per 1,000 sq. ft. Apply full rate if applying once a year and apply half rate if applying twice a year (spring and fall).
AERATING
AERATION SHOULD BE DONE
IN THE SPRING & FALL
Lawn aeration involves removing
cores of soil from the lawn. You
can get reasonable results
from spiking the turf areas
with a garden fork; however,
best results are usually
achieved through core
aeration using an aerator.
Aeration will provide good air exchange between the grass
roots and the soil, improved
fertilizer uptake, reduced heat
and drought stress, reduced
water runoff and puddling,
and aid in root development.
AERATING
AERATION SHOULD BE DONE IN THE SPRING & FALL
Lawn aeration involves removing cores of soil from the lawn. You can get reasonable results from spiking the turf areas with a garden fork; however, best results are usually achieved through core aeration using an aerator.
Aeration will provide good air exchange between the grass roots and the soil, improved fertilizer uptake, reduced heat and drought stress, reduced water runoff and puddling, and aid in root development.
DE MOSSING
COASTAL AREAS ONLY
APPLY IN THE SPRING
Moss is caused by poor drainage,
lack of fertilizer, constant shade and acidic conditions (low pH). If moss is a problem, apply a moss control in spring then follow with power raking or hand raking to mechanically remove as
much of the moss plants as possible.
Apply a moss control to damp moss
to ensure good bonding. The grass should be dry for 24 to 48 hours
after application to ensure a good kill.
DE MOSSING
COASTAL AREAS ONLY - APPLY IN THE SPRING
Moss is caused by poor drainage, lack of fertilizer, constant shade and acidic conditions (low pH). If moss is a problem, apply a moss control in spring then follow with power raking or hand raking to mechanically remove as much of the moss plants as possible.
Apply a moss control to damp moss to ensure good bonding. The grass should be dry for 24 to 48 hours after application to ensure a good kill.
RAKING
EARLY SPRING
Rake thoroughly in early spring to prevent matting. If moss control has been used or if severe matting exists, the best options is to power rake.
RAKING
EARLY SPRING
Rake thoroughly in early spring to prevent matting. If moss control has been used or if severe matting exists, the best options is to power rake.
OVERSEEDING
BEST DONE IN FALL OR SPRING
Overseeding fills in bare patches in the turf and helps to maintain a thick, healthy and aesthetically pleasing stand of turf that is less susceptible
to weed and moss encroachment.
Overseeding is best done in the fall or spring when the weather is milder. Good contact of the seed with the soil is imperative. This can be accomplished in one of two ways; by raking the lawn after application to work the seed down to the soil, or by topdressing with a 1/2” of sand or soil after application.
OVERSEEDING
BEST DONE IN FALL OR SPRING
Overseeding fills in bare patches in the turf and helps to maintain a thick, healthy and aesthetically pleasing stand of turf that is less susceptible to weed and moss encroachment.
Overseeding is best done in the fall or spring when the weather is milder. Good contact of the seed with the soil is imperative. This can be accomplished in one of two ways; by raking the lawn after application to work the seed down to the soil, or by topdressing with a 1/2” of sand or soil after application.
TOP DRESSING
MARCH OR APRIL
This is ideal after aeration or over seeding, but also has merits if
neither have been done.
Top dressing will replenish depleted organic matter in the soil as well as help control thatch. Top dressing materials include soil, sand, or an organic fertilizer. This should be
done in March or April.
TOP DRESSING
MARCH OR APRIL
This is ideal after aeration or over seeding, but also has merits if neither have been done.
Top dressing will replenish depleted organic matter in the soil as well as help control thatch. Top dressing materials include soil, sand, or an organic fertilizer. This should be
done in March or April.
WEEDING
If weeds are a problem, apply a broad spectrum herbicide containing 2-4D.
WEEDING
If weeds are a problem, apply a broad spectrum herbicide containing 2-4D.
