Turf Tips: Most Common Questions

by Nellie Neal

Homeowners spend more time and money on their lawns than any other single part of the landscape. Common problems pop up every summer; take action now to deal with the ones bothering your green carpet. 

To thicken a thin lawn, fertilize with a complete lawn formula, apply plenty of water, overseed with same or similar turfgrass seed, and raise the mower height.

 If weeds are the problem, tackle them now with a postemerge lawn weed killer, but also remember to treat the lawn earlier in the spring next year with a pre-emerge lawn weed suppressing product. 

Most lawns get pests sooner or later, but sooner is better to do something about it. Once you see a browned area developing, or notice a marked change in the lawn’s color, take action. If you’re not sure of the problem, dig up a damaged piece and let the pros at your Growise Center help you diagnose the problem.

 Turfgrass leaves can be the barometer of the lawn’s health. Pale green leaves can indicate drought, especially if the grass stays down when you walk across it. Darkening green leaves may reveal an overdose of potassium, potentially stunting the lawn. Yellow leaves can tell you the area stays too wet.

 Edgings trimmed along driveways and sidewalks make valuable new plants to repair bare spots in the lawn. Lay six-inch trimmings into damp sand until they root. Cultivate the bare area, work in some organic matter, and plant your new lawn.

 Experts say to fertilize the lawn in spring, and too many homeowners forget to do that. Then summer comes and they figure it’s too late. Truth is, a healthy lawn can benefit from a complete lawn food applied once, twice, or three times in each growing season. First, at greenup, use a combination fast and slow release lawn food. Second, at midsummer, apply a slow release. Last, use a winterizing formula in late summer.