What can be done?

AIR

In order to help your lawn thrive, SavaLawn recommends core aeration in the spring. Core aeration will give your lawn some breathing room by allowing air, water and nutrients to enter the soil more freely. Specifically, aeration:

• improves the soil’s air and water content resulting in improved rooting and increased root depth
• reduces water needs by allowing irrigation and rainfall to percolate into the soil and not run off
• controls and reduces thatch by increasing microbial activity in your lawn
• results in more pore space therefore creating better rooting, water retention and a healthier turf

SEED

In late August, if any thin areas still exist, you should core aerate again and follow-up by overseeding and/or sliceseeding the thin areas! Be sure to select grass types that include a mixture of Kentucky bluegrass and ryegrass, which have varieties more resistant to disease and are adapted to the varying conditions of your landscape.

MOW

• Maintain a mowing height of 3 to 3 1/2″.
• Limit mowing when under stress (gray to brown color). Mow only green, actively growing areas. Mowing damaged turf can further damage it and slow recovery.

WATER

• Be consistent with watering! Don’t water regularly in an attempt to restore your drought-stricken lawn, stop abruptly, then start up again a few weeks later. This will only cause further stress and could make it harder for the lawn to fully recover.
• Watering early in the morning to avoid evaporation.
• Water deeply and infrequently to mimic natural rain fall. This will also encourage deep rooting by forcing the roots to search for water. If you are able to irrigate, do so for 45 minutes to an hour per zone, or until the lawn has received 1″ of water (use a rain gauge or, if you don’t have one, water until a tuna fish can sitting atop the lawn is full).

FERTILIZE

To further assist your new and existing turf, SavaLawn recommends the application of slow release and balanced fertilizers throughout the year. Fertilization will provide the appropriate nutrients grass plants need to improve root development and thicken your lawn, enabling it to compete with the weeds and crabgrass.

So what expectations do you have for your lawn this year? If your answer is to have a great looking lawn, you’re not alone. A lush, thick, green lawn will accentuate the other plantings on your landscape, and increase the real estate value of your home. Implementing these measures will help your lawn recover from the effects of drought and restore its beauty.

Click or call today to arrange a complimentary consultation from our fully trained and certified arborists for lawn care, fertilizer and tree care services from SavATree. Click here to contact the office nearest you.