DIMENSION Crabgrass Control with Fertilizer – The optimum time for the application of DIMENSION granular crabgrass control (delivered with an excellent, organic-based fertilizer) is mid-April through early May. Crabgrass, which must be controlled every year in sunny lawns, is a summer annual, grassy weed. The plants germinate from seed in spring, thrive in the heat of the summer, then die with frost in the fall. It is most effectively controlled by preventing seed germination and plant establishment in the spring (pre-emergent). DIMENSION is the only PRE and POST-EMERGENT crabgrass control product on the market which both prevents seed germination for up to 16 weeks and kills newly germinated plants. This very safe control product and fertilizer is activated by rain, and the application is not affected by mowing, rain, or other lawn activities.
Broadleaf Weed Control in April – Generally, it is thought that if you don’t have dandelions in your lawn every April-May, you’re perceived to have a “nice” lawn. The best way to have no dandelions blooming in April-May is to make a September application of selective, liquid herbicide. Dandelions, plantain, clover, and other perennial broadleaf weeds can only be eliminated or controlled while their leaves and roots are ACTIVELY growing. Leaves and roots don’t start growing until after blooms have passed, so if you didn’t treat for weeds last September, you will probably have dandelions and other perennial broadleaf weeds in your lawns this spring. You can get excellent weed control in the spring, but if you make application before the end of April, when blooms have passed and leaves are growing actively, you’ll probably not kill the weeds. You’ll shock them, but they’ll recover. Kill broadleaf perennial weeds in September, AT THE END OF THEIR ACTIVE GROWING SEASON. And always use liquid herbicide for the best control of broadleaf weeds.
Fertilization in April – For those of you who will not be doing pre-emergent crabgrass control (shady lawns, newly seeded lawns/areas), we offer an excellent slow-release, organic-based fertilizer for use at this time. This professional grade fertilizer will green your lawn subtly, without the surge of growth you’d get from the Big Box offerings, and last for 8-10 weeks.
Spring Seeding – We don’t like it; never have liked it; never will. In the spring when the soil is cool, seed germinates very slowly and when it does, roots establish slowly. Combine the slow germination and poor plant establishment with the fact that right after spring comes the hot, dry summer season which is hard on established turf, and devastating on shallow-rooted seedlings, and, regardless of how regularly you water the new grass, you’ll suffer significant dieback. So, we advise that seeding be done in the spring only in emergency situations (new lawns or sections affected by construction, or areas needing lawn repair) and that it be done ONLY with our fastest-germinating mix, EVERGREEN BLEND of hybrid perennial ryegrasses. This fine-bladed grass is compatible with the seed mixtures that you’ll overseed with in the fall and is the fastest germinating grass seed we sell.
Core Aerating and Liming in April – Both of these conditioning activities are vital to healthy turf and should be done regularly every year. Liming, to neutralize our typically acidic soils, and core aerating to open up the dense, clayey soils to let moisture enter deeper into the soil and encourage deeper, denser root development. If you’re on the fence about these, know that both activities help to make nutrients more readily available to grass plants, giving you the best bang for your buck with each fertilizer application. Our Garden center has Cal-Turf Pro™, which is applied at 5 lbs./1,000 sq. ft. for maintenance applications or 12 lbs./1,000 sq. ft. to increase pH. Cal-Turf Pro™ is more effective than dolomitic limestone in raising soil pH. It begins to neutralize soil acidity immediately, resulting in soil pH increases that can be measured in weeks rather than months! Core aerating can be done whenever the lawn is actively growing (spring or fall) and the ground is soft enough to pull 2”-3” long plugs. Our Turf Management division offers both of these services! If you want liming and/or core aeration done right, give us a call; we’ll give you an estimate.