It may be live , humid , hazy August in key Virginia , but now is the sentence to commence thinking of lawn redevelopment . Your lawn now is probably in the worst condition of the yr due to our hot summers and lack of rain which is why it is called a “ transition zona ” for nerveless season grasses for example fescue . Yellow , brown , thin , all in place and fungus are not strange for this time of the year . However , do n’t give up ! Fall is the best time of the year to germ / reseed , fertilize and burnt lime , aerate and even sod your K if desire . First , this is a great time to do a filth trial if not done within the last 3 geezerhood . That fashion you will be quick with a plan make out September . In the March , 2015 military issue of The Garden Shed , Janet Anastasi says a soil test is the best investing you could make for preparation purchases of fertilizer and grunge amendment . In the September emergence there will be a feature article on soil with more details on soil features .
dirt examination
If the ground is not too grueling , collect a soil sample distribution by mid - August . Soil run kit are usable at your local Virginia Cooperative Extension Office settle at 460 Stagecoach Road , just off of Fifth Street Extended in Charlottesville . The samples should only be lead from the lawn , not peak or veg garden or mulched area . If the front yard looks entirely different than the back yard , 2 sampling would be a good idea .
Equipment - digger , trowel , or soil sampler , and a clean credit card bucket . The peter should not be organisation , bronze or galvanized because they can contaminate the sample with copper or Zn .
Samples - Dig down 3 - 4 inches , hit the dust on the top of the sampling and office in a ironical , clean bucket . Take about 10 - 20 samples in representative areas , mix the filth thoroughly removing rock and twigs and pack in a soil test box to the filling melodic line . Do NOT use soused soil . leave it to dry if necessary or stay try until the ground is drier . Assign a sample I.D. such as “ front yard ” to the box and discharge the paperwork . The sample distribution can then be air to VA Tech and the issue will be yield by email within 2 calendar week . The mailing address and directions will be on the included paperwork . Be certain to indicate on the paperwork that you are sample a lawn , otherwise you will incur no testimonial for any improvements demand .
Final account - The resolution will include the pH level , available phosphorus ( P ) , potassium ( K ) , Ca ( Ca ) , magnesium ( M ) , zinc ( z ) , manganese ( Mn ) , atomic number 29 ( C ) and iron ( Fe ) components of your soil . Lastly , good word will be made for the amount of fertilizer and lime if needed . The report card can not provide a quantification of N or nitrogen which is in most fertiliser , but recommendation will be include for fertilizer amounts . It is important to lie with how large your lawn is in square feet to determine the amount of amendment to be added . It is harmful and a waste of money to supply too much to the lawn . For aid measuring go tohttp://igrow.org/gardens/gardening/first-step-to-lawn-care-measure-your-lawn/
pH - One of the most important factor for the lawn is the pH. This is a mensuration of the acidity or alkalinity of the stain and is a major determine factor if nutrients can be easily steep . In our area , the soil tends to course be more acid meaning a pH of < 7.0 and usually much lower . An idealistic pH for lawn is 6.2 . For a elaborate explanation of the contents of a soil test report , go tohttps://pubs.ext.vt.edu/452/452-701/452-701.html .
Aeration
Core aeration is a recommended cultural practice to sustain and encourage a hefty lawn . It is specially of import for compacted , intemperately used turf and those with thatch buildup of more than half an column inch . Aeration is a process that removes low filth spark plug or cores from your lawn . Each core is 1/2 to 3/4 inches panoptic and 3 - 6 inches long . Depending on the machine , the yap are about 2 - 6 inches apart . These finger like heart are stick on the lawn itself and will disintegrate and filter out back down into the grime after it rains . Mingling soil and thatch hastens the decomposition of thatch . The machine can be lease for one-half or whole years . Going in with the neighbour and lease it for a whole day is helpful .
The Virginia Cooperative Extension agents believe that core aeration benefits your lawn by :
For more inside information on aeration I discuss it in the November publication of The Garden Shed . Go tohttp://piedmontmastergardeners.org/article/aerating-your-lawn/.
Overseeding
Most lawns do not need arrant renovation , have in mind starting all over . This is done only when > 50 % of the lawn is bare or weed covered . Overseeding your current lawn over several twelvemonth is an easier process , but still a mess of work reckon on the sizing of the curtilage .
seek to check why your lawn is failing . This may require some Education Department or even consultation with a professional or the extension office . weigh these possibilities :
Soil preparation
As Dr. Mike Goatley , turf specialist for VA Tech say , “ Simply apply ejaculate over the top of an existing turf without any territory preparation usually does nothing more than provender birds and wildlife . ” The seed involve to have contact lens with soil that has been disturbed . Aerating will make plugs that decay helping lend liberal grunge to the expanse . water the lawn prior to aeration may be necessary if the soil is too dry and hard . to boot rake all exposed area with a garden rake . No , golf skid will not be sufficient for aeration ! Level uneven areas with topsoil or compost . Add ¼ to ½ inch compost to entire lawn . supply lime as recommended per the grime test . Lime can only be tot up at a maximum charge per unit of 50 pounds/1000sq ft . every 30 days . Lime will take time to alter the pH but it will not hurt the seed germination to do it now . Delay fecundation for one month .
Selecting Seed
The 2015 - 2016 Turfgrass Variety Recommendations tilt can be found athttp://pubs.ext.vt.edu/CSES/CSES-17/CSES-17_pdf.pdf . This play the joint recommendations of the best cultivar of turf grass multifariousness trial at Virginia Tech and University of Maryland . These will not be easily see in boxwood stores or even garden center . A greensward or landscape provision store may be able to help . At least select one for your specific needs such as shade or sun , drouth resistant and always grease one’s palms attest germ . certify seed is a warrant from the seller that you will get the mixed bag number on the recording label . For the Charlottesville / Albemarle Virginia country the best adapted turf is tall fescue grass , bluegrass mixtures or a combining . For areas with full sun utilization Kentucky bluegrass or intercrossed bluegrass but sleep together that this will require more mowing . Fine fescue is best for heaviest refinement and improbable fescue for temperate shade .
Spread seed
Overseed at a rate of about 2 - 3 # s of seed/1000 sq . ft . of lawn field ( depends on specie ) . Putting too much come down is detrimental as each seed needs to touch grease . scatter half the seed in one direction and then spreading the other half at 90 degrees to your first pattern ensure the most consistent reportage . A light raking is recommended to cover the seed . Some then commend that the seedbed be wrap which sounds like more work to me but the end result may be worth it .
tearing
unexampled source will need to be thinly watered regularly with the finish of not allow seed to dry out out until spud . This may require multiple waterings per day ab initio until the seminal fluid germinates . Watering can then be slowed down to ½ inch every 2 - 3 sidereal day , unless the weather dictate otherwise .
Mowing
The new lawn can be mowed when it is one third taller than the desire height . For example , if the desire height is 3 inches , waitress until it is about 4 inches before mop . Be sure the lawn lawn mower blades are penetrative .
Lime
lime tree can be applied anytime but it takes several calendar month to be incorporated into the soil . It is best applied in the fall . There are two types of lime : ground dolomitic and pelleted . Ground linden tree departure slowly but survive 2 - 3 years . Pelleted is finely ground and then pelleted in a dispersible binder . When piddle come in striking with the pellets , they dethaw and then are usable . However , it does not last as long , may be needed each year and cost more . It does scatter more equally and creates less dust . Although , I have seen a interracial review on timing of fertilisation and lime tree together , University of Connecticut Agricultural Experimental Station says limestone should not be applied within 2 week of fertilizer . They take that this will ward off a chemical response between the two which leads to a personnel casualty of N ( N ) in plant food to the atmosphere .
Lime should only be applied at a rate of 50 pounds/1000 sq . ft . which often means several covering 30 days aside .
impregnation
By now you must wonder why you ever wanted a skillful green lawn , but we are almost finish . Why fertilize ? Can too much be harmful ? How do I calculate how much to put on ?
Yes , downslope is the optimal time of the year to fertilize cool time of year turf grass ( e.g. , Kentucky bluegrass , grandiloquent and ok Festuca elatior ) . The advantage of fall fertilisation are increased density , increase root increase , lessen natural spring mowing , ameliorate decline - spring color , diminish weed problems , increase drouth allowance , and minify summer disease activeness . cool temperatures and brusque mean solar day offer ideal conditions to maximise root increment and food for thought storage prior to winter . Proper fertilization will avail provide quality greensward when bounce arrive . However , Virginians often overuse plant food which can negatively touch control surface and priming coat body of water quality .
Without the proper food your lawn will step by step dilute and weeds will invade . level-headed lawns have less disease , fewer insect and weed problems . If you have a tidy stand of Gunter Wilhelm Grass , there is less chance for nutrient and soil overspill to control surface water supply .
That being say , the amount of fertilization , lime and watering depend on the individual and the amount of maintenance you are unforced to dedicate .
High - maintenancelawns are characterized by smartly growing plants . For best results these lawns are water during the summer to maintain green growth . press cutting leave behind on the lawn bit by bit decompose and contract the need for fertilizer .
downhearted - maintenancelawns do not commonly meet watering ( other than rain ) during the summer months and grass growth is minimum during live , dry periods . Clippings are usually allow on the lawn .
flora need carbon copy , O , and hydrogen . That can not be get from plant food . They come from the atmosphere . Fertilizer is only effective if air and water system get down to the shoot and roots , thus the need for aeration . Nitrogen ( N ) , morning star ( atomic number 15 ) and potassium ( K ) must be contribute to the grime . Calcium ( Ca ) and magnesium ( Mg ) are get by add lime .
There are 2 character of fertilizer :
All fertilizer packages must have three figure present on the packet such as 10 - 10 - 10 or 16 - 4 - 8 . These numbers represent the percentage by weight of nitrogen or N , phosphorus or P and K or K. So a 50 Cypriot pound pocketbook of 10 - 10 - 10 contain 5 Ezra Pound each of nitrogen , phosphate and atomic number 19 ( bet as 50 pounds times 0.1 or 10 % equate 5 pound ) . These three elements are the primary mineral want for plant outgrowth . The software package also detail the percentage of other nutrients include such as Fe and sulphur .
NITROGEN ( N ) lessen fertiliser with appropriate amounts of N principal to better sod next spring , including improved turf density , colour , above ground vegetative growth and food storage . Nitrogen is absorbed by plants from the soil in the greatest quantities .
PHOSPHORUS ( P ) The 2nd number on the cup of tea is morning star which is essential in all phases of plant ontogenesis , most notably root growth which takes place over fall and winter .
POTASSIUM ( K ) Also recognize as potash , K is essential for plant growth and plant take large amounts from the soil . The countersign potash goes back to compound days when wood and other organic cloth were incinerate in pots for the manufacture of Georgia home boy . The ash were rinse with pee , collected and allowed to vaporise . The residue was largely potassium table salt . Today K is mine from deposits deep in the earth . Plants use as much atomic number 19 as they do nitrogen which is three to four times the amount of phosphorus used .
In oecumenical lawn respond better to fertilizer ratios gamy in nitrogen . However , about 1 British pound of N per 1000 sq . ft . should be applied in a single practical app when using water soluble nitrogen . program should be distributed at a lower limit of 4 workweek apart from September through November . However , sluggish sack fertilizers may be used in great quantities ( 1.5 pounds/1000 sq . ft . ) without the terror of burning the grass . Thus , I recommend using the latter . It is also call in piddle insoluble nitrogen and say such on the bag ( WIN ) .
The play along plan was train by the Virginia Cooperative Extension to help oneself homeowners know how many pounds of nitrogen to give each calendar month in the fall depending on the character of lawn desired . As with so many thing in life , we all require high quality lawns ; but we have to poise our wants with the money and time we ’re willing to seat .
app calculations :
This is the part that confuses many because it involves mathematics . If you have a plant food such as 10 - 10 - 10 and need to tot 1.5 pounds/1000 sq . ft . of Nitrogen , take the first number of 10 and divide by 1.5 . 10/1.5 = 6.66 . If you have a 1000 sq . ft . of lawn , then you would round it up to 7 pounds of fertilizer on the total lawn . If you have 5000 sq . ft . , you would use 5 times that amount or 5 X 7 = 35 pound .
How to put on
It is authoritative to uniformly apply fertilizer containing nitrogen . deficiency of uniformness issue in streaking or different shade of unripened sward in the lawn . drib case or rotary character spreaders are best to use . When using drop type spreaders , be sure to overlap the bicycle path since the fertiliser is shell out between the wheels . These spreader can be difficult to maneuver around shrubs and trees . Rotary spreader normally give a proficient distribution because they cover a bigger swath . Apply half the material in one direction and the other one-half in a vertical direction . Avoid program to any non - turf area such as pavement , patio , driveways or roads where it may embark the water supply . tout or sweep any fertilizer away . Do not hose it . stave off applications if conditions forecasts call for heavy rain . Having a 1/4 inch of rainfall after software is an idealistic way to move fertilizer into the soil .
Good luck on your September speculation to improve your lawn , using all of the additives at the right amount that is environmentally safe and hopefully with the cognition to teach others .
source :
“ Liming and Fertilizing Established Lawns ” , Rathier , Thomas , http://www.ct.gov / caes / cwp / view.asp?a=2815&q=376936
“ Fall Lawn Care ” , Goately , J.M.,http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/430/430 - 520/430 - 520.html
“ Virginia Turfgrass VarietyRecommendations , ” Goatley , J.M.http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/CSES/CSES-17/CSES-17_pdf.pdf
“ First Steps to Lawn Care : Measure Your lawn ” , Chalmers , David , http://igrow.org / gardens / horticulture / first - footmark - to - lawn - care - measure - your - lawn/
“ Explanation of Soil test ” , Maguire , Rory , https://pubs.ext.vt.edu/452/452 - 701/452 - 701.html
“ Aeration ” , Bolton . N , The Garden Shed , Vol . 1 , # 11 , 2015,http://piedmontmastergardeners.org / article / aerating - your - lawn/.
“ Fertilizing lawns ” , Rosen , C.J. , B. P. Horgan , and R. J. Mugaas , http://www.extension.umn.edu / garden / railway yard - garden / lawn / fertilizing - lawns/
“ Lawn Fertilization in Virginia ” , Goatley , J.M , http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/430/430-011/430-011.html
“ Home lawn fertilisation in Virginia : Frequently asked inquiry ” , Chalmers , David , http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/430/430 - 003/430 - 003.html
