Watering

Too much water can be as harmful as too little water, so don’t over-water your lawn. Here is a simple rule you can follow: If you water, do it regularly. Apply an inch every week (including rain) at one sitting on the sprinkler. For new sod watering please refer to Shellview Sod Farms “Guide to Greener Grass“.
Light applications of water do not penetrate the soil to any great depth. This shallow watering encourages root systems to stay close to the surface where they may be injured by drought.

To view the watering guide developed by the Turfgrass Producers International, please click here.

Fertilizing

It is always a good idea to try and fertilize your lawn with a balanced product that contains all four of the main nutrients, this is the order they appear on a label: Nitrogen – Phosphorous – Potassium – Sulphur.

Nitrogen(N) – Promotes foliage growth and colour
Phosphorous(P) – Promotes root development
Potassium(K) – Promotes a guard against disease, aids in drought and cold tolerance
Sulphur(S) – Promotes a guard against disease and adds colour

At the start of the growing season, established lawns benefit from an application of fertilizer containing a higher rate of phosphorous than other nutrients to get the roots going.  Throughout the summer months a higher nitrogen product can be used every month to six weeks, but terminating before September 1.  In the fall, focus on a product with higher Potassium and Sulphur levels to protect the plant against disease and prepare it for winter.  Ensure you follow the rates of the product as laid out by the manufacturer.

Fertilizer may be applied by a mechanical fertilizer spreader. To spread it evening, divide the total amount to be used into two equal parts, and spread one part over the lawn in one direction and then the other part at right angles to the first.

Apply fertilizer when the grass is dry; thoroughly water immediately after application.

Turfgrass Producers International have developed a quick reference guide for fertilizer use, click here to view it.

Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations when applying fertilizer products.

Weed Control

Weeds have been the downfall of many a good lawn. The first step in an effective weed control strategy is to ensure a competitive lawn by watering and fertilizing your grass so that it is actively growing.  Broadleaf weeds, such as dandelion, can be controlled using recommended weed control formulations. Do not allow chemical spray to drift onto trees, shrubs, flowers and gardens.

Always follow manufacturer’s recommendations when applying any weed control product.

Other Maintenance

Lawns often become compacted, which causes the grass to suffer. To avoid this condition, lawns should be aerated at least every other year with proper aeration equipment. Benefits of aeration are as follows: increased water, nutrient and oxygen movement into the soil; improved rooting; enhanced infiltration of rainfall or watering. If you notice a build up of thatch on your lawn, it can be removed using a power rake or roto-rake lawn blade attachment. This method pulls out the thatch, giving the lawn a chance to grow freely once again.