Lawn-Care Calendar for the
Great Sacandaga Lake
Our lawn-care calendar will show you what to
do, and when, for the lawn of your dreams. From www.bhg.com
Spring
Getting your mower ready:
Start the lawn-care season by taking care of your mower.
Bring in your mower for service in early spring. This helps
you beat the rush so your mower is in tip-top shape right
when you need to use it. Be sure to sharpen the blade at
least once a year.
How
to Sharpen Your Lawn Mower Blade
Starting a new lawn from seed: Though
fall is the ideal time to start a new lawn from seed, you
can also do it in spring. Don't wait until late spring,
though: Give your lawn a chance to grow in and get established
before summer temperatures arrive.
More
About Overseeding Your Lawn
Attacking crabgrass: Because
crabgrass and other annual weeds need to sprout from seeds
each year, a well-timed application of pre-emergence herbicide
can do wonders for keeping these pests at bay. Spread the
pre-emergence herbicide as forsythia blooms in your area
start to drop.
Aerating: If your
lawn doesn't grow well due to compacted soil, springtime
-- when your grass is in active growth -- is a great time
to aerate. This loosens the soil, allowing grass roots
to reach deeper and the soil to absorb moisture better.
Mowing: Start mowing
once your grass reaches about 3 inches tall. It's best
keep most turf types in this region at least 2 inches tall
-- this helps the grass ward off weeds and withstand summer
drought.
Fertilizing: If you
feed your lawn a couple of times a year, a light application
of lawn food in early spring will help get your lawn off
to a great start. Keep it light, though, and use a slow-release
or organic fertilizer. Wait to fertilize until your lawn
needs mowing for the first time.
Summer
Controlling grubs: Attack
grubs and keep them from destroying your lovely lawn with a
grub-control product that continues to work throughout the
season. Apply your grub control in early June.
Mowing: Watch how
your lawn grows. During hot, dry periods, it may only need
mowing once every two or three weeks (when the grass grows
about 3 inches tall). During cooler, moister periods, it
may need mowing twice a week.
Watering: It's fine
to let your grass go dormant during drought. It'll turn
brown, but it'll stay alive and then will go green and
start growing when the rains come again. If you don't want
a brown summer lawn, select drought-tolerant types such
as buffalo grass or plan on giving your lawn about 1 inch
of water a week.
Fall
Fertilizing: If you
only fertilize your lawn once a year, fall's the time to do
it. In fact, your lawn could take a light application of fertilizer
in early fall and again in late fall.
Mowing: As temperatures
cool, your lawn will start growing faster: You'll likely
need to mow regularly through the end of the season.
Cleaning up: For
a healthy lawn, it's a good idea to clean up fallen leaves.
If you don't want to rake up leaves, do several passes
over your lawn with a mulching mower. You'll chop up the
leaves into fine pieces so they decompose and add to your
soil's structure. It's easier and also better for the health
of your lawn!
Overseeding: Most
grasses in this region grow and take best in cool temperatures,
making autumn the ideal time to overseed. Give your new
grass about a month before your first average frost date
so it can get established.
Find
your average first frost date here
More
About Overseeding Your Lawn
Attacking perennial weeds: Most
perennial lawn weeds, such as dandelion and creeping Charlie,
are most susceptible to spraying in fall when they're winding
down and getting ready for winter.
More
About Lawn Weeds
Aerating: Cooler
autumn temperatures mean your grass will start growing
more again -- so it's a great time to aerate to loosen
compacted soil.
