This tip courtesy of My Turf & Garden Store

         

Need to Renovate Your Lawn?

         

    

    

    

1. Preparation

The first phase of your renovation project is really pretty straight forward. You're simply going to kill everything that survived the summer. This is best done by applying a product like Quik-Pro Grass & Bush Killer, which contains a high percentage of active ingredient (AI). We've found Quik-Pro, with 73% AI, to be the most effective product on the market for this purpose.
Quik-Pro comes in the form of water soluble granules and is best applied using a pump sprayer, either hand-held or backpack. Mix according to label directions. A gallon of mix should cover approximately 1,000 square feet.
Be very, very careful not to spray Quik-Pro (or any other pesticide for that matter) when the wind is blowing even slightly. We don't want the herbicide to find its way to any of your prized ornamentals.
Also be very sure to build some led-time into your renovation project schedule. It's important to apply the Quik-Pro at least ten (10) days to two (2) weeks prior to the scheduled sowing of the grass seed.  Once that time has passed, the herbicide will have no negative impact on your newly sown seed.

	A core aerator pulls soil plugs

The next preparation task is to open the soil down to the root zone by either rototilling or heavy plug aeration. The key is to address compaction and to provide direct seed to soil contact. As you open the soil to a depth of at least 4-6 inches, you enable water, oxygen, and nutrients to penetrate to a depth that can be used by the plant's roots.

2. Achieving Optimal Soil Nutrition

The first task is to know what your soil contains and one sure method is to do a Think Soil On-line Soil Test. We strongly urge you not to guess at what your soil needs but to apply nutrients in accordance with test results. However, the reality is that if you're reading this and haven't done a test ... well the ship has probably sailed. It is certainly still a good idea to do the soil test but you won't have time to mount a corrective program should one be indicated by the test.

       

Not to worry. When renovating, you can safely and effectively apply two critical ingredients without the benefit of a soil test report; starter fertilizer and calcitic lime.

    

	Good soil promotes deep root growth

We recommend the use of a time release professional grade fertilizer with a relatively high phosphorous percentage as displayed in the analysis on the bag (the middle number). Phosphorous is critical for germination and overall root development.

          

The best bet is to apply NutriScape 14-20-14 Starter Fertilizer at a rate of 1 pound of nitrogen (the first of the three numbers) per 1,000 square feet. At this rate of nitrogen application, a 50 pound bag will cover approximately 10,000 square feet of lawn area.

          

The next soil amendment to apply is calcitic lime. As a general rule, this type of lime is recommended because soils in the area don't require the addition of magnesium, which is prevalent in dolomitic lime. If pH test results are not available, we recommend applying Solu-Cal calcitic lime at a curative rate of 50 lbs per 4,000 square feet.

          

Should you have recent soil test results showing a pH between 6.0 and 7.0, we still recommend a Solu-Cal application but at a maintenance rate of 50 pounds per 8,000 square feet.

So if you're going to renovate your lawn, it's important to have a plan. And that plan should address soil preparation, the application of nutrients to achieve optimal levels, and the use of a premium treated and certified turf type tall fescue such as groSMART Grass Seed.

The Garden in Fall   

If you think that just because it's September, the "flower show" is over, think again! You won't believe how many plants are still looking great and how much color there still is in the garden. Plan for fall color through foliage, flowers, and berries. Use ornamental grasses and hardy mums to give a real feeling of fall. Andre will introduce you to some other wonderful fall blooming perennials and add a little color to your life this fall!   Free lecture

  

Saturday, September 17 at 1:30 pm 

Techniques of Plant Propagation 

A wonderful fall hands-on workshop!
Plant propagation is an exciting, self-satisfying, and money saving activity! Learn how to landscape your property using your own plants. Mark will teach you the best methods for many different plants including techniques of dividing, taking cuttings, layering, and seeding.
Take home loads of plant divisions! A propagating demonstration tour is included!  

     

Please pre-register by calling 800-575-5538;

$30 fee, two for $50 

Control Winter Lawn Weeds NOW!

          

Control winter annuals BEFORE they germinate!

	Henbit

For cool-season turfgrasses, September is a perfect time to apply pre-emergent herbicides to control annual bluegrass (Poa annua) and other winter annual weeds such as henbit, chickweed, purple dead nettle, and geranium.

       

Keep in mind that pre-emergent herbicides will also prevent the germination of grass seed, so do not apply near newly seeded patches of turf.

Since many broadleaf weeds, such as dandelion, various clovers, and plantain, show a new burst of growth in the fall, now is a great time to zap them with a post-emergent broadleaf herbicide.
In the fall, perennials (including perennial weeds) begin to prepare for winter by moving nutrients and stored starches from their leaves into their roots. Spraying systemic herbicides at this time means that these chemicals also get transported down to the roots more effectively! Since the grass is still actively growing, it will quickly fill in the bare spots.

       

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