KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – SUMMER LAWN CARE
KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – SUMMER LAWN CARE
Proper Watering—this is one of the most important things for your lawn health. Watering too frequently causes short grass roots and encourages crab and quack grass. These weeds naturally have roots that grow barely under the soil surface. Deep watering once a week will deprive weeds of the constant moisture they thrive on. Lawns need about an inch of water a week. Supplement rainfall with long deep watering using a pulsator sprinkler. These are the ones that are attached to a spike that you sink in the ground. The best types are made of metal. They also can be set to do narrow to wide areas and also can go long and short. Set out a can when water reaches an inch you are done.
Fertilize—it’s usually only necessary to fertilize four times a year. Spring time is pre-emergent time. This fertilizer prevents crabgrass from starting. There are many brands but all will say “crabgrass” or “pre-emergent”. This must be applied before forsythia bushes bloom. This is usually around mid April. Also make sure you do all your cleanup and de-thatching first. Once you put this down it cannot be disturbed. Grass seeding should be done in the early fall; pre-emergent prevents grass from growing too. After that do a regular feed every six weeks until September. It you have a lot of dandelions use a weed and feed fertilizer. If not just use all purpose lawn fertilizer and spot kill any dandelions. September is also when we seed that is if temps are generally cooler. Winterize fertilizer is last near the end of October weather permitting.
Grass needs frequent cuttings! Never cut off more than a third of the length. Grass should be kept around three inches high. This discourages weed growth and keeps moisture in. When you cut grass too short it does not grow long roots watering too often also discourages root development.
Follow these steps for a lawn that will be the envy of the block.
KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO
