Starting my healthy lawn?

Question

It's spring time and I want to get a jump on getting my lawn in shape. What are some tips?

Answer 1

You sound obsessive, and you want to cut the lawn twice a week...OK

Rent a power raker and get rid of the dead grass in the lawn, at the same time , rent an aerator that spikes holes in the lawn and pulls out plugs of dirt.

Rake sand into the lawn to fill the plug holes

Buy grass seed, to overseed the lawn, read directions for overseeding on package.

Cover with thin layer of topsoil, and water as per directions.

Buy Spring grass fertilizer BUT READ THE BAG DIRECTIONS CONCERNING NEW LAWNS, follow the directions

In May, use weed and feed.

That should keep you busy, making the best lawn in the neighbourhood, and giving you lots of cutting to fill in your days of showing off to the neighbours

Answer 2

Sorry friend but the time to jump start a lawn is in the fall not the spring. All is not lost. Your dedication can be rewarded.
Understand that the Spring is a season for control of weeds and the repair of winter damage. The Summer is for the maintenance and insect control. The Fall is for the elimination and rejuvenation of your turf.

I have been in charge of a University turf program for almost thirty years. Oh the mistakes I've made over that time! Through trial and error I developed a program that has virtually eliminated dandylions, crabgrass, and other noxious weeds while providing a full turf. The system goes by the holidays in our country.
A.) Aerate the turf with a core removing aerator twice a year. Do it when the turf is firm on April Fools Day and on Columbus Day.
B.) Follow the aeration with an application of granular lime and granular gypsum.
C.) Apply Granular, and only Granular Fertilizer as follows
April - 10-20-10 with minerals
Mother Day - 10-10-20 with Crabgrass Prev.
Father Day - 10-10-10 with minerals
(first Year) July 4th - Grub Protection*
Labor Day - 10-10-10 with minerals
Halloween - Broad Spectrum Gran Weed Con.
Thanksgiving - 10-5-5 with Crabgrass Prot and
a grub protection.

You will apply a liquid general weed killer in the spring the last week of April. You can topseed ten days thereafter using certified seed mixture. You'll topseed again in the Fall two weeks after Halloween. The application of Crabgrass Protection and Grub control in the Fall will eliminate the need to apply the same in May and July the following year. Apply just the basic fertilizer at that time in it's place.

Go to a local nursery that services Landscape companies and not the local hardware stores for your materials. Certified seed is 99% pure and is not available, at a lower cost at Home Depot, Lowes, etc. You will need a compound including 2-4D, MCPP, Dicamba for your weed control in both liquid and dry formulations (the big stores don't have it).
The speciality store will also have the long-term effective crabgrass and grub control chemicals you will need.

In the spring and fall it is fine to make your lawn look like a golf course in height of cutting. Starting May 1-7th set your mower to three inches of cutting height. Lower it the weekend after Labor Day. Crabgrass and summer weeds do not germinate without direct sun. The additional height lessens the potential for germination.

Sorry to be so long, however, with this program I have been given honors and consulted on golf course reconstruction. Hope some of it helps. Good Luck.

Answer 3

I'd use a quality grass seed purchased at a local garden center that will do well where you live. I'd spend a little money on renting a slit-seeder. This machine will accuratly till the soil (very slightly) and place the seeds. Put down some new lawn fertilizer and water at least twice a day. You don't need to flood your lawn - just keep it damp. Seeds will germinate in 10-14 days. Don't spray the lawn with any sort of weed killer until you've mowed it at least twice.