Lawn Care Program
STANDARD LAWN CARE: (Scroll down for Organic Care Program)
First Application: Early to Mid-Spring (April 15 – May 1)*
A. Test the soil and determine the PH and apply lime if needed.
B. Pre-emergent crabgrass control – deadline for application is approx. May I
- For established lawns apply Team, no new seeding for three months.
- Fairway Spring Fertilizer recommended (Weed and Feed with a Pre-Emergent Crabgrass Control)
- New or over-seeded lawns use Tupersan®, seed anytime, second application recommended for best control.
C. Crabgrass seeds germinate when soil temperature gets above 55° F.
* The optimum time for application of crabgrass control is before the forsythia blooms drop and lilacs begin blooming.
Second Application: Mid to Late Spring (May 1 – June 10)
A. Apply grub and surface insects control.
- Merit® is a new control for grubs and systemic insect control. Best results are obtained when irrigated with natural rainfall. (Apply June 14th Flag Day)
- Apply in June or July specifically for Japanese Beetle grubs.
- Sevin 7G®, general purpose insecticide applied for surface insects, ticks, etc., should be watered in after application.
- Dylox® (contact insecticide) works in 72 hours after application, but should only be used before April 15 or after August 15 for best results. Like the previous insecticides mentioned, this should be applied with a good watering.
B. Memorial Day Fertilizers. (End of May)
- Fertilizer with Trimec® broadleaf weed control.
- Important Apply on wet lawn after a rain or after hosing down. No rain or irrigation for 24 hours after application.
Third Application: Late Summer to Fall (August 15 – October 1)
A. Grub control for Japanese Beetle larvae.
- Apply Dylox® if larvae is present. To check for larvae, lift up one square foot of lawn, and count larvae. If more than 15, apply immediately and water thoroughly.
B. Labor Day Fertilizer– Fall Fertilizer (September)
- Promotes deeper root growth to strengthen for winter survival.
- Trimec® for additional weed control on perennial weeds. Apply in the morning when grass is damp with dew, or water prior to application. As before, no water or rainfall 24 hours after application. Fairview Fall Fertilizer is recommended.
Fourth Application: Fall to Winter (October 15 – December 15)
A. Lime after the leaves have fallen. This is the optimum time to apply lime.
B. Gypsum is the best product to aerate and loosen heavy clay soils.
C. Thanksgiving Day Fertilizer – The most important fertilization of the year.
- Use a blend that’s high in Nitrogen to slowly feed your lawn all winter.
- Apply on clean frozen ground anytime after November 15.
BEST RECOMMENDED SEEDING TIMES ARE APRIL – MAY, AND AUGUST – SEPTEMBER.
ORGANIC LAWN CARE
First Step: Around March: Apply Corn Gluten Meal before the forsythias bloom
Second Step: Middle of May (around 60 days after first application) Chickity Doo Doo 5-3-2 Fertilizer (granular, easy to spread)
Third Step: Late August: second application of Corn Gluten Meal
Fourth Step: Late September: apply Chickity Doo Doo 5-3-2 Fertilizer
Fifth Step: Thanksgiving Time: apply Chickity Doo Doo 5-3-2 Fertilizer
*Remember: Any Organic lawn program will take 2-3 years to be completely effective.
If you need to Over-seed or Reseed any areas, the best time to do that is in September.
