September 2019 Newsletter

Posted on August 28, 2019 by noahg

START WITH THE RIGHT SEED

Before you buy grass seed this fall, learn why choosing seed from Soil Service Garden Center can make a big difference.

Don’t forget to use Ferti-lome New Lawn Starter fertilizer the same day you seed. It doesn’t really matter which one you apply first but most people prefer to lightly incorporate seed then spread the fertilizer.

FOLLOWUP FERTILIZATION IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!

A few weeks after seed germinates, it’s hungry for nitrogen fertilizer. If you haven’t fertilized the rest of your fescue and/or bluegrass lawn, go ahead and fertilize the new seed and existing lawn with high nitrogen Ferti-lome Lawn Food Plus Iron. This should be done no later than early October but around mid-September is better. But we’re not done yet! The lawn needs one more high nitrogen feeding when it’s still green but for all practical purposes, you’re done mowing. Feed from late October into November for this dormant/winterizer feeding from Ferti-lome Winterizer fertilizer.

WEASEL/ SEED/ WEASEL FOR SMALL AREAS

The Garden Weasel is a fantastic tool for seeding small areas. It does a great job both loosening the soil and lightly incorporating seed. It’s common to have shaded areas with a thin stand of grass that needs to be overseeded. The trick here is to “ Weasel” in early September and lightly work the ground when seeding. Just remember that regardless of the area, the sequence is “weasel/seed/weasel”. Come by the Garden Center and we’ll show you how to do this.

SEEDING ON SLOPES IS A CHALLENGE

Establishing grass on slopes can be frustrating if untimely rains wash seed away before it establishes. Here are some ways to increase your odds for success………

SEEDING ON SLOPES

If the area is somewhat large, core aerate and then seed. The seed washes into the holes and germinates like little plugs. The more holes the better so making 2-4 passes works just fine and grass fills in more quickly than if a single pass is made.

• If the area is small try a wood tomato stake to punch holes with the stake and hammer to simulate an aerator. Punch holes about 2 inches deep. Again, the more the better.

• Use Seed Aide pelletized mulch widely used in the professional turf industry. Seed Aide has a tackifier (think glue) that holds the mulch and seed in place to minimize seed washing. Best of all it doesn’t cost any more than other seed mulches. Seed Aide bags cover app. 1000 sq.ft.

• You can use erosion control blankets that are rolled out like a carpet over the seed. Quick Grass Pro covers 140 sq. ft. and the larger version of this, Curlex, covers 450 sq. ft.

MOST WEED CONTROL PRODUCTS HAVE SEEDING RESTRICTIONS. IF YOU USE A LAWN CARE COMPANY………

Since most herbicides can hurt seed germination, we urge you to check with the lawn care company to see if they recently applied or will soon apply weed control. This means they need to know your seeding plans. Since 1990 Soil Service Garden Center has had lawn programs for the do-it-yourselfer that take the guesswork out of seeding issues. They are simple and highly cost effective. You can sign up now for this fall and next year, save $$$, have fun and take pride in a beautiful lawn that YOU grow! Come by the Garden Center to discuss how we can help meet your goals for a beautiful lawn.

LAWN RENOVATION WITH OUR LANDSCAPE CREWS

SOIL SERVICE GARDEN CENTER LANDSCAPE CREWS AERATE, VERTICUT AND SEED – The fall schedule fills quickly so we urge you to call ASAP……..(816) 444-3403

JAPANESE BEETLE GRUBS IN LAWNS

By now, just about everyone knows about the Japanese Beetle problems. But we’re not out of the woods yet because they lay eggs in lawns where the newly hatched grubs start feeding on roots. This leads to grass that suddenly dies in August and September. We suggest you keep a close eye on your lawn and if you see dying grass, your Soil Service Garden Center has Dylox granules for a rescue treatment.

Thank you for your business and

Let’s keep growing!!