26 Misconceptions About Lawns in the Springtime

Posted on: Feb 06, 2019Ali

After a long, grey, wet winter everyone is ready for a healthy green lawn.  Follow this simple advice and you will have the green healthy lawn you desire.

1. Fertilize the grass as soon as the snow melts with a slow release granular fertilizer with enough nitrogen to green up the lawn. The formulation of a good granular fertilizer should have enough potash to feed the roots of the grass and enough potassium to strengthen the plant and enough nitrogen to ensure a deep healthy green plant.
2. The formulation should be 30-0-5/10 with a 50% slow release component.
3. The first number of the formulation indicates the amount of nitrogen in the fertilizer.  The higher the number the faster the lawn will green up.
4. The fertilization will continue to feed the lawn for at least 4 – 6 weeks.
5. No need to rake first the granular formulation will fall through the rake. 
6. No need for the lawn to be dry.
7. Allow 10 days for the granular fertilizer to breakdown and begin feeding and strengthening the lawn.
8. It is a myth that aeration must be done in the spring.
9. Aeration can be done at any time during spring or fall.
10. Aeration should not be done during the dry hot summer months of late June and July.
11. Fall is the best time to aerate your lawn as the weather is consistent.
12. Always spread fresh seeds at the time of aeration.
13. Ensure the type of seeds you apply works with your lawn type.
14. Ground temperature for seed germination is static.
15. Although seeds do require consistent watering if done in the spring the fall seems to allow germination without constant watering.
16. Focus seeding on thin and bare areas of the lawn.
17. Focus seeding of edges of driveway and walkways that have been salted during the winter.
18. Aeration should be completed yearly to allow deep root systems within the lawn.
19. The deeper the root, the greener the grass and the healthier the lawn is.
20. Healthy lawns withstand disease and heat stress.
21. Lawns do compact over the winter and raking debris and dead leaves and grass are necessary once the weather permits.
22. Once the weather warms water the lawn during mornings and later afternoons.
23. Water twice a week for at least 45 minutes per watering.
24. Do not water overnight.
25. Excess water needs to have time to dry in the sun to avoid fungus.
26. Do not over-fertilize as this will also cause a fungus condition.