Taking Care of Your Lawn
1. Fertilize in Late August or September.
Use only nitrogen and only after a soil test demonstrates the need and only on new or young lawns (less than 10 years old)
2. Mow High
3" or more for vigorous roots and to shade out weeds
3. Leave Clippings
They are high-quality, free fertilizer
4. Plant Appropriate (Endophyte-enhanced) Grass Species
They require less water, fertilizer, and pesticides, and compete better with weeds
5. Get Your Soil Tested
The only way to know just what the lawn needs is to do a soil test
6. Keep Turf Cover Dense
Higher density means fewer weeds - overseed, overseed, overseed
7. Core Aerate, Topdress or Mulch Leaves
Reduces thatch, improves soil structure and releases nutrients into the soil
8. Water Deep and Infrequently
Only if absolutely necessary, deeply soak the lawn once or twice a week with a total of 1" of water
9. Keep Fertilizer and Clippings Off Sidewalks and Driveways
Prevents runoff of nutrients into our waterways
10. Keep Mower Blades Sharp
A clean cut prevents disease
Taken from:
Is Your Lawn Truly Green?
Sage Advice from Top Northeast Experts
by Paul Schlein
Maine YardScaping Partnership
www.yardscaping.org/.../YardScaping_Spring-Lawn-Article_final_5-23-08.pdf
