What is the best way to maintain a lawn in the Northwest?
When is the best time to check for low areas in the lawn that collect water?
When does grass go dormant?
When does grass grow in the Pacific Northwest?
Is lawn maintenance the same in New England?
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When should I fertilize my Pacific Northwest lawn?
The first fertilization of the growing season coincides with the rapid growth of the grass in May. A second application goes on in late June, another in September, and another in early November. Fertilizer applied too early in the spring will stimulate top growth at the expense of root growth.
What is the best month to fertilize your lawn?
Ideally, the ground should be around 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Depending on where you live, March to April is the best time to fertilize your lawn. It's also best if your yard is watered a few days before you want to apply the fertilizer, whether that's from rain or a sprinkler.
Is April too early to fertilize my lawn?
Timing: Apply early spring lawn fertilizer once between February and April, when your grass is starting to green up and begin to actively grow (around the time your lawn first needs to be mowed).
When should I Dethatch my lawn in the Pacific Northwest?
The best time to dethatch your lawn is when it's actively growing and the soil is moderately moist. For cool-season grasses, that's early spring or early fall. For warm-season grasses, dethatch in late spring through early summer (after the second mowing). That's when your grass is growing most vigorously.
How cold is too cold to fertilize lawn?
Temperatures below 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit are too cold to fertilize your lawn. At these temperatures, your lawn enters a dormant state to protect itself from the cold. If you fertilize your lawn below these temperatures, you'll feed the weeds instead, and the root growth of your lawn will be stunted.
Do you fertilize lawn before or after rain?
It is best to wait a day or so after a rain before applying fertilizer. At this time, any pools of water will be gone, but the ground will still have moisture in it. Do not apply fertilizer on grass blades that are still wet.
What happens if you fertilize too early?
The best time for that first application is late spring, just as the green grass is beginning to grow eagerly. In early spring, the grass is putting energy into root development. If you apply fertilizer too early, it will divert the plant's energy into leaf development too soon.
What is the best lawn fertilizer to use in early spring?
We Recommend Holganix. This product helps make your lawn resistant to traffic, diseases, insects, and weather; it also helps to grow deeper root systems which will give longevity to your lawn. We believe Holganix is the best lawn fertilizer for early spring.
What happens if you apply fertilizer to wet grass?
Fertilizer applied to grass that is damp or wet but not soggy will be just as effective as fertilizer applied to dry grass. Fertilizer applied to waterlogged grass or grass that is in soil that has standing water on top of it may be diluted so much that it will lose 60% or more of its potency.
When should I fertilize my lawn in Western Washington?
Fertilize in the fall, September- October with organic fertilizers, or as late as mid-November with slow-release synthetic. This feeds fall and winter root growth, as the plant stores nutrients for the next growing season. If you want to fertilize in spring too, wait until spring growth slows in May.
When should I apply lime to my Pacific Northwest lawn?
Lime can be applied any time of the year, however in the Pacific Northwest, applying lime in the fall has specific advantages. It takes approximately four months for lime to fully react with the soil. With a fall application, pH should be ideal by the spring growing season.
Can I mow then fertilize?
Though there are no hard, fast rules to lawn care, as a general rule, the grass should be mowed first, then fertilized; this removes excess lawn waste and exposes the soil, which helps the fertilizer work more efficiently.
When should I fertilize my lawn in the spring?
The very best time for lawn fertilization is in the spring, when the soil temperature—not the air temperature—reaches 55º Fahrenheit. You'll know when the soil warms up to 55º because the lilacs will begin to blossom and the grass will start growing.
Should I water after fertilizing?
If your lawn gets liquid fertilizer, wait until it dries before watering, about 2-4 hours. If it's granular fertilizer, water right away. One exception: if you also got spot weed treatments at the same time, wait for that to dry before watering, or the water will wash off the weed killer before it can work.
When should I apply 10 10 10 fertilizer to my lawn?
For 10 10 10 fertilizer, it is best to apply it in the early spring when plants are just beginning to start their most active growth phase. You can continue to apply a small amount of fertilizer during the dormant months of late fall and winter, or you can stop fertilizing for these months.
What happens if you apply fertilizer to wet grass?
Fertilizer applied to grass that is damp or wet but not soggy will be just as effective as fertilizer applied to dry grass. Fertilizer applied to waterlogged grass or grass that is in soil that has standing water on top of it may be diluted so much that it will lose 60% or more of its potency.
Pacific Northwest Lawn Care Month-by-Month (Western Valleys)
Feed the wild birds. Attracting wild birds to your garden is an excellent way to naturally control harmful insects. Allow wild birds such as starlings to peck at your grass as they are feeding on insects that are harmful to your lawn.
Lawns – Tip Sheet #11 | King County | Washington State University
Download the .pdf A healthy, attractive lawn is possible without pesticides, wasting water or fertilizer run-off. The healthiest lawns start with good soil and full sun. For shady areas, slopes or near waterways, consider…
When is the best time to plant a new lawn?
Fall is the best time to sow seed for a new lawn. If you can't get to it at the end of the season, spring is the next best time. Don't wait too long; your lawn needs to get established before summer arrives and lawn maintenance season begins.
Why is lawn care important?
Lawn maintenance is important for the overall health of your landscape—plus, it makes your yard a lot prettier to look at. And, although the methods are standard, you need to cater your timing based on your zone, region, and grass type. If you live in the Pacific Northwest, this is the lawn care guide for you.
What weeds are most susceptible to attack in the fall?
Most perennial lawn weeds, such as dandelions and ground ivy , are most susceptible to attack in the fall. Treat them as part of your lawn maintenance with a broadleaf herbicide (there are chemical and organic choices available) or pull them by hand.
How to get rid of fallen leaves in lawn?
This will chop the leaves into fine pieces; they quickly decompose and add to your soil's structure. Or rake up and compost the fallen leaves.
When to apply grub control?
The best time to do this is during lawn maintenance duties in early June.
What is the best way to stop crabgrass from growing?
Annual weeds, such as crabgrass, grow from seed each spring. One of your lawn maintenance steps should include a well-timed application of preemergence herbicide to stop them from growing at all. A good guideline is to spread the preemergence herbicide as forsythia blooms in your area start to drop.
Your first fertilizer application should take place in early spring
Fertilize your lawn in early spring when your grass first begins to grow. In northeast Ohio, this is typically between March and April when temperatures start consistently staying near 50 degrees. Also consider a weed control application at the same time. Getting ahead of weeds before they germinate can help prevent them from taking over your lawn.
Your last two fertilizer applications should take place in the fall
Fertilizing your lawn in fall helps restore damage that was caused by the stress of summer heat, promotes nutrient storage for use in the winter, and supports healthy root growth, which creates a healthier lawn in spring. It is best to plan for two fertilizer applications between late August and November.
How long does lawn fertilizer last?
Some time-released brands will slowly distribute nutrients over a two- to eight-month period, so leave sufficient time between applications to avoid over fertilization, which could damage your lawn.
What happens if you fertilize your lawn at the wrong time?
But if you fertilize at the wrong time or over-treat your lawn, you could encourage weed growth or possibly burn the grass. To avoid damaging your lawn, consider this rule of thumb: The best time to fertilize is when your grass is actively growing—and this, in turn, is determined by where you live and what type of grass you have.
What is the difference between warm and cool grass?
A clue to figuring out your grass type is to keep a lookout for how your lawn behaves. Warm-season grasses will turn brown after the first frost, while cool-season grasses will generally stay green all year long in the cool and transitional zones. They will not, however, survive the summer months if the temperatures become excessively high.
What is the best grass to grow in the summer?
These grasses are tough, and they form a thick lawn cover that becomes denser over time. The four major types of warm-season grasses are Bermuda grass, centipede grass, St. Augustine grass, kikuyu grass, and zoysia grass.
When do grasses go dormant?
Cool-season grasses prefer lower temperatures and have two peak growing periods: one in the early spring, just after winter dormancy, and another in the early fall. High summer temperatures and lack of water may cause cool-weather grasses to go dormant until chilly temps arrive and water is more readily available.
Is fertilizer good for a green lawn?
A: As the saying goes, “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.” But if this year you want that green lawn on your side, fertilizer can be an effective ally.
Does nitrogen help with grass growth?
Nitrogen, a key component of fertilizer, contains a growth stimulant that could increase unwanted weed growth if applied during dormancy. If you’ve endured a long winter and the grass is not yet growing, don’t be afraid to delay your scheduled fertilizing treatment.
JANUARY
Sharpen mower blades and tune-up mower. Refrain from walking on soggy or frozen grass. Do not mow at this time. Stay inside drinking hot chocolate, thinking positively about how fantastic the lawn will look this spring and summer. Look for good deals on a volleyball set.
FEBRUARY
Check lawn for standing puddles of water. Correct drainage where necessary or replant those areas with more suitable groundcovers. Do not mow at this time. Birds pecking at the turf help remove soil grubs such as crane fly. Sit back and watch all the work being done for you.
MARCH
If you are planning to renovate or start a new lawn, and it’s not excessively wet, it’s time to prepare. Dethatch the entire lawn if old roots and stems at crown level exceed one-half inch. Aerate by hand or mechanically. Dig out or spot treat perennial weeds. Mow, if necessary, to a height of 2 inches.
APRIL
Rake and overseed bare spots (or plant new lawn) if it’s not excessively wet or cold. Fertilize in late April, using organic or slow-release formulations. Mow regularly at 2 inches. Remember not to remove more than one-third of the lawn's height at any given time. Recycle grass clippings onto the lawn as you mow.
JUNE
Water deeply, slowly and infrequently. No established lawn should be watered more than 2-3 times per week, even in hot conditions. Do not rely on timers for irrigation as temperatures will dictate water needs in addition to lack of rainfall. Continue "grasscycling". Mow 1-2 times weekly, removing no more than 1/3 of the height.
JULY
Water deeply to one-inch per week, or allow lawn to go dormant by watering just once a month. Avoid fertilizing in hot, dry weather. Mow regularly to prevent weed seed spread.
AUGUST
Continue to water and mow regularly. Survey the lawn, planning which areas need fall renovation. Plan to eliminate lawn areas on steep slopes, or in deep shade. Research suitable groundcovers as lawn substitutes for these areas.
Homeowners often lose interest in lawn care when summer wanes. Here's why you shouldn't skip that last fertilizer application of the season this fall
Homeowners often lose interest in lawn care when summer wanes. Here's why you shouldn't skip that last fertilizer application of the season this fall.
Why Fertilize the Lawn in Fall?
By the end of summer, your lawn is tired. Kind of like you after a long, hard workday. You’re tired, sore, mentally spent and want nothing more than to eat a nourishing meal and put your feet up for the evening.
When To Fertilizer Your Lawn in the Fall
The best time to apply your last fertilizer application is between August 15 and October 1. Ideally, your last lawn feeding should take place six to eight weeks before the average first frost in your area. So, if this date is Oct 10, like it is in Minneapolis/St. Paul, you should target August 15 to September 1 as your last application.
What Fertilizer To Use in the Fall
The answer here depends on local ordinances or state laws. Some states do not allow the use of lawn fertilizers that contain phosphorus (the middle number*).
How to Fertilize Your Lawn in the Fall
Approach your fall fertilizer application just as you would any other. Follow the coverage recommendation for the chosen product. It’s always a good idea to split the application in half and then make two passes in different directions.
Why do you feed your lawn in the fall?
Doing your fall lawn fertilization now will strengthen roots and increase nitrogen storage for a healthy, green lawn next spring.
Why is fertilizing grass important?
Summer is tough on grass, thanks to heat, drought, foot traffic, and insects. Fertilizing helps protect and strengthen it.
When does a lawn wake up hungry?
Your lawn wakes up hungry in the spring! Fertlizing it strengthens roots and gets it off to a good start.
When to use herbicides for broadleaf weeds?
These are used most effectively from May to mid-June andagain in September to early October. Proper mowing,watering, and fertilizing will also help prevent weeds frombecoming a problem.
Does fertilizer help grass?
Fertilizer is not the most critical factor in a healthy lawnbut, it definitely does contribute to the quality and densityof the turf. Fertilization also correlates with the growth ofthe grass. The first fertilization of the growing seasoncoincides with the rapid growth of the grass in May. Asecond application goes on in late June, another inSeptember, and another in early November. Fertilizerapplied too early in the spring will stimulate top growth atthe expense of root growth.
What is the best way to maintain a lawn in the Northwest?
Other needs for a “perfect” lawn include aeration and overseeding.
When is the best time to check for low areas in the lawn that collect water?
February it is time to check for low areas in the lawn that collect water. Correct the drainage in these areas or replant with groundcover.
When does grass go dormant?
As summer temperatures soar grass begins to slow its growth, but picks right back up again in the late summer as temps cool. By October or so, accompanied by cold weather, frost and short days, grass goes dormant.
When does grass grow in the Pacific Northwest?
Turf grass is dormant during the winter months and then begins to grow when average daily temperatures are above 50 F (10 C) which is around late March to April for most of the Pacific Northwest. Grass grows most rapidly when temperatures warm to 70-75 F (21-24 C); May and early June for this region.
Is lawn maintenance the same in New England?
While the practices may be the same in say, New England, the timing of lawn maintenance in the Northwest is different.
