Everybody wants a green, lush lawn. Loads of information about lawn care is available all over the Internet, but how much of it applies to our climate and grass types? Never fear – your hyper-local guide is here! Follow our guide below for the best lawn ever.
CORE AERATION
A healthy lawn can outcompete weeds, and nothing undermines herbicides more than poor turf management. Why? Well, it starts with the soil. Think of your lawn like a house: there isn’t much point in worrying about your leaky roof if your foundation is crumbling.
Core aeration is a critical component of lawn maintenance. Over time, soil becomes compacted. Compacted soils rob roots of their ability to use oxygen from the atmosphere to absorb water and nutrients. In time, neglect can cause soils to become hydrophobic, further reducing the absorption of water from irrigation and seasonal rainfall. We recommend core aerating your lawn in the spring and fall.
Compacted soils also undermine nutrient uptake and weed control applications. Pre-emergent herbicides and fertilizers applied to compacted soils fail to enter the root zone, eventually leaching away. Grasses suffer, and weeds thrive.
Core aeration solves this problem by removing plugs from the soil, creating a space for nearby soil to relax into. Be sure to use core aeration and not spike aeration, which actually makes the problem worse by increasing compression around the punched holes.
After aerification, we recommend applying humic acid in a granular form, preferably just before seasonal rainfall. Homeowners and property managers with extremely poor soils should apply additional soil amendments immediately after core aeration, and repeat the process twice per season to build up a healthy profile.
IRRIGATION
Wait! I know – you already water your lawn. Here’s the problem: most folks begin irrigation too late in the spring, and water improperly in the summer. In 2021, we had below-normal rainfalls in a region already classified as semi-arid. That took a toll on lawns, shrubs, and trees, and we expect to continue to see the long-term impact on trees and shrubs well into 2022.
Regardless of what your irrigation box might say, there is no perfect irrigation schedule. It is always best to water more deeply and less frequently to develop more robust roots. If you already have a shallow root system from a frequent, shallow watering schedule, you won’t be able to just switch overnight. Overwatering can lead to disease, while underwatering causes drought stress and encourages insect infestation. The best answer (apart from making lawn care your sole free time activity and monitoring soil moisture levels and weather forecasts to decide on the optimal volume every day), is to install a better irrigation system. Spring is the best time to adopt a new system so your grass is prepared for summer stress.
In recent years, smart irrigation systems have become very affordable. A controller that can run eight zones, and adjust its schedule continuously according to the weather forecast, can be picked up at The Home Depot™ for around fifty bucks.
FERTILIZATION
Along with record low rainfalls and drought stress, 2021 saw massive spikes in fertilizer prices. Increases ran in excess of 70% for nitrogen, 80% for phosphate, and 50% for potash. Ouch!
The good news is, if you’ve followed our recommendations above, your lawn won’t need as much fertilizer. In fact, it never needed as much as the fertilizer sales folks told you it did. Think about it – is anybody fertilizing the rainforest? Of course not. Yet there it is, green and lush as can be, thanks to healthy soils and plentiful moisture.
In the spring, apply a slow-release or organic fertilizer when soil temperatures reach 55° Fahrenheit (about mid-April for Lewiston and Clarkston). On the label, look for the numbers representing N-P-K percentages: the first number is the critical number here. Something like 28-0-0 will do the trick for your nitrogen needs. Be sure the label says “slow release” or “long acting” or something similar.
The other two numbers on a fertilizer label represent phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Phosphorus is only important if a soil test shows a deficiency, or if fertilizing a newly seeded or overseeded lawn. Potassium is important, but plentiful in most soil samples in the Valley. A fertilizer like “30 – 0 – 5 Fertilizer 50% Slow Release” will be just fine for your spring application. Follow the label closely, and make one more application when recommended. This should be no later than mid-June to avoid complications from heat stress.
If desired, very light applications can be made in the summer months; look for a fertilizer such as “15-0-0 with iron.” Follow the label closely. It is far better to use less when it comes to fertilizer. Heavy fertilization, especially with nitrogen and phosphorus, leads to the development of thatch.
When temperatures begin to cool in late September to early October, we recommend one more application with an ammonium sulfate fertilizer at the rates recommended on the label.
DROUGHT STRESS
While fertilizer can be detrimental to turf when the summer heat arrives, there is another product that is highly beneficial: a soil moisture retention agent. Granular products (such as Hydretain ES Plus Granular OC) improve irrigation retention, decrease moisture loss, and improve drought stress resistance in your lawn. The first round should be applied in early to mid June – earlier is better if rainfall is below normal or tapers off – and simply follow the label of whichever product you choose through the remainder of the summer for continuing application intervals.
SEEDING & OVERSEEDING
If your lawn has thin spots, or you would like to plant a new lawn, we recommend preparing the soil and planting seed in early October. Tilling the soil and adding in amendments is critical to promote the success and long-term health of newly seeded grasses. If using a roller to smooth the surface prior to planting, stick to brief passes to avoid renewed compaction. Check for shade tolerance on the seed labeling if trees or building will significantly reduce sunlight in the newly planted area. If shade has been a problem in the past, consider more appropriate plantings for the area (such as a shade-loving groundcover).
You can download a one-page lawn care calendar with our recommendations for 2022 by clicking here.
Ready for a weed-free lawn? Call or text us at 208-298-9171 for a free estimate. We’re here to help!