Spring has sprung and so has the lawn. This is the best time to do annual maintenance on your turf in order to really enjoy it all growing season long. Here are some tips that will insure the best return on your time and money investment.
1) Get the Moss out. Moss is a product of it’s environment…shade, moisture, poor drainage and a low ph soil is moss heaven. Apply a Moss killer product (Iron is usually the active ingredient) and let it turn black, then rake it out.
2) Dethatch your existing lawn. This can be done by machine or by hand. I recommend a machine…you can rent them.
3) Aerate the soil with a machine that removes plugs of soil and back fill with fine compost.
4) Apply lime (check with your garden center on which type to use) to the prescribed pounds per 1,000 sq ft (on the label). This will bring the ph up and makes it tougher for moss to grow. Lime will not kill moss, but will hinder it’s growth.
5) If it is possible to reduce shade (thinning tree limbs, cut back a hedge, remove house…lol) it would help. Not an issue for full sun or part shade, but no grass seed will grow in complete shade.
6) Scratch soil surface and seed with a shade mix seed (for heavy shade, A sun / shade mix for part shade environment and sun mix for mostly to full sun. Be very careful what seed brand you use. Read the label and see if it has any percentage of weed seed on the label (it does have to be declared if it exists). Here in the Northwest I would strongly recommend Major League brand lawn seed. It is the best you can buy. After seeding, cover lightly with fine peat moss and keep moist for 7-10 days. Don’t over water, just keep moist.
7) Fertilize appropriately for your lawn.
If you apply lime, aerate, dethatch, over-seed, fertilize and water correctly, you will have the lawn that everyone envies.
For information on installing a new lawn, go to Major League “New Lawn” installation instructions.












