mowing a lawn

Established Lawns

Regular Maintenance & Fertilizing Schedule

Spring

Important things to know for springtime lawn care

WATERING

  • Water as needed depending on the weather - let it soak in to a depth of 6 - 8 inches (approximately 1/2 inch water), but avoid creating puddles.
  • Average frequency in spring is 2x/week. As the weather warms up and the rain stops.
  • During hot dry weather, up to 3x/day can be necessary, keep a close eye on it and judge accordingly.
  • More rain = Less watering, Less rain = More watering needed!
  • Optimum time of day to water is mornings or evenings to avoid sun damage.

MOWING

Mow regularly during the growing season . A good rule of thumb is “Never take more than 1/3rd of the length or 3/4 inch at a time.”

  • Be sure to start with a sharp blade! Dull blades can “tear” or “bruise” the grass and cause browning.
  • Target grass height : 2.5 - 3 inches

WEED CONTROL

Apply a broad-leaf weed control product directly to the weeds. Remove with a weed-puller, or by hand. We do not recommend applying “Weed and Feed” fertilizer as it will prevent new grass from germinating.

FERTILIZE - MARCH OR APRIL - EASTER

Apply to a dry lawn, then water in thoroughly

  • Recommended application rate: 7 - 8 lbs./1000 SqFt
  • Good: 16 - 16 - 16 - starter & all around fertilizer
  • Even Better: 12 - 2 - 8 - slow release, with iron for moss control.

FERTILIZE - MAY - MEMORIAL DAY

  • Apply to a dry lawn, then water in thoroughly
  • Recommended application rate: 7-8 lbs./1000 SqFt
  • Good: 21-7-14 - maintenance fertilizer, spring & summer
  • Even Better: 12-2-8 - slow release, with iron for moss control.

Spring is also a good time for...

ERATING - (IMPROVES DRAINAGE AND OXYGEN FLOW TO ROOTS)

Aerate manually or with an aerator machine for best water and fertilizer absorption. Aerating helps increase drought tolerance during hot weather. Should be done once per year, during spring or fall.

OVERSEEDING

Overseed to help fill in bare or thin growth patches. This helps maintain a thick, healthy, beautiful lawn.

  • Achieve good seed-to-soil contact by raking after applying seed or top dress lightly over the seed.
  • We carry 5 lb., 25 lb., and 50 lb. bags of seed:
  • Sun-to-Shade mix, which matches our sod & does well in full sun to part-shade areas.
  • Premium Shade mix, which does well in sun, but can tolerate more shade (minimum 4 hours sunlight).
  • Best done in mild weather (Spring or Fall)

Tip: Mow your grass a little shorter just before overseeding, then wait about 3 weeks before you mow again so the seed doesn’t get sucked up into the mower.

TOP DRESSING - MARCH OR APRIL

  • Apply about 1/2 inch soil, after aerating and/or overseeding.
  • Top dressing material options include topsoil, sand, or an organic fertilizer.
  • Replenishes depleted soil & helps control thatch.

INSECTICIDE - SPRING OR FALL

Apply an insecticide as preventative maintenance once per year to avoid crane fly or other insect damage. - Can be done in Spring or Fall

Summer

Important things to know for lawn care during hot, dry, weather.

WATERING

  • Water as needed depending on the weather - summer can be especially hard on new grass, water is essential!
  • During hot dry weather, up to 3x/day can be necessary! Keep a close eye on it and judge accordingly.
  • Let the water soak in to a depth of 6 - 8 inches (approximately 1/2 inch water), but avoid creating puddles.
  • More rain = Less watering, Less rain = More watering needed!
  • Optimum time of day to water is mornings or evenings to avoid sun damage, especially in the summer months.

MOWING

  • Keep turf longer in summer - Target length: 2.5 to 3 inches. Keep that rule in mind - “Never take more than 1/3rd of the length or 3/4 inch at a time.”
  • Keep your blade nice and sharp for best results.

FERTILIZE - EARLY JULY

  • Apply to a dry lawn, then water in thoroughly
  • Recommended application rate: 7-8 lbs./1000 SqFt
  • Good: 21-7-14 - maintenance fertilizer
  • Even Better: 12-2-8 - slow release, with iron for moss control.

Fall

Important tips for lawn care during fall

WATERING

As the weather changes, continue to water as needed, giving it a good soak each time. As always, avoid creating puddles. As the rain picks up, less watering is needed. Mornings or evenings are still best to avoid sun damage.

MOWING

Continue to mow regularly in the fall - never take more than 1/3rd of the length or 3/4 inch at a time.

Target height : 2.5 - 3 inches

FERTILIZE - MID-SEPTEMBER - LABOR DAY

  • Apply to a dry lawn, then water in thoroughly
  • Recommended application rate: 7-8 lbs./1000 SqFt
  • Good: 21-7-14 - maintenance fertilizer
  • Even Better: 12-2-8 - slow release, with iron for moss control

LIME - FOR COASTAL HOMES

  • In salty areas, especially homes near the coast or in the San Juan Islands, it is necessary to replenish your soil nutrients & increase your soil Ph levels by applying lime.
  • Application rate: 1x/yr @ 50 lbs./1000 SqFt.
  • OR split into 2 applications of 25 lbs. / 1000 SqFt each time
  • Tip: Avoid applying near plants that love acidic soil (e.g. blueberries, azaleas).

Fall is also a good time for...

AERATING - (IMPROVES DRAINAGE AND OXYGEN FLOW TO ROOTS)

Aerate manually or with an aerator machine for best water and fertilizer absorption. Aerating helps increase drought tolerance during hot weather . Should be done once per year, during spring or fall.

OVERSEEDING - 1X/YEAR SPRING OR FALL

Overseed to help fill in bare or thin growth patches. This helps maintain a thick, healthy, beautiful lawn.

  • Achieve good seed-to - soil contact by raking after applying seed or top dress lightly over the seed.
  • We carry 5 lb., 25 lb., and 50 lb. bags of seed:
  • Sun-to-Shade mix, which matches our sod & does well in full sun to part-shade areas.
  • Premium Shade mix, which does well in sun, but can tolerate more shade ( minimum 4 hours sunlight).
  • Best done in mild weather (Spring or Fall)

Tip: Mow your grass a little shorter just before overseeding, then wait about 3 weeks before you mow again so the seed doesn’t get sucked up into the mower.

INSECTICIDE - SPRING OR FALL

Apply an insecticide as preventative maintenance once per year to avoid crane fly or other insect damage. - Can be done in Spring or Fall

Winter

As the weather gets colder, here’s what you need to do for your lawn.

WATERING

Less watering is needed in winter because of the PNW’s rainy climate.

MOWING

Your lawn goes into hibernation (dormant) during this time of year. You can mow less often than during spring and fall.

FERTILIZE - EARLY-MID NOVEMBER

The last fertilizing of the year is a “winterizer” that should be applied before the ground freezes.

  • Apply to a dry lawn, then water in thoroughly
  • Recommended application rate: 7-8 lbs./1000 Sq Ft
  • Good: 10-20-20 - maintenance fertilizer, fall & winter
  • Even Better: 12-2-8 - slow release, with iron for moss control