Q: My lawn dies each summer and goes all brown. What can I do to keep it green?
A: Some grasses go dormant in the heat of summer and become dry and brown. They are not dead and will come back in cooler weather or next Spring. To have green grass all summer, you need to over seed with heat tolerant grasses. Good choices are the fescues, especially Red fescue, Perennial Rye, and Dutch Clover. All are drought tolerant and remain green all summer.
Q: I want to repair some patches of my lawn that are dead. When is the best time to sow new seed?
A: Fall is the best time to sow new seed. Mid to late September sowing will allow the new grass to establish roots giving it a head start in the Spring. Spring sowing can be done in the early Spring before the hot weather arrives. The roots of Spring planting are not as well established for the Summer heat.
Q: How can I get rid of crabgrass in my lawn?
A: Crabgrass is an annual weed. So to control it you must prevent seed formation and/or seed germination. Hand weeding will control seed formation and distribution. The use of a fertilizer with corn gluten in it in the early Spring will prevent seed germination. Remember that corn gluten is a non-specific germination preventer, so do not use it with seeding. Allow 6 to 8 weeks before sowing any seed if you plan to do that.
Q: I have brown patches in my lawn. What causes them?
A: Brown patches in lawns may come from any of several causes. Dogs' urine will kill lawn grasses, so ensure that your lawn is not being used as a doggy bathroom. Washing the tap with tap water after the dog has used it will reduce the damage. Grubs of certain insects will kill the grass by eating the roots leaving patches of dead brown grass. Identify the felon and institute a cure. Nematodes are available at many nurseries and garden centres for grubs (the larvae of the insect). Spraying a nematode solution when the grubs are active (late Spring or early Fall) kill them Certain fungi can also cause circular rings of dead grass often with green centres. These are called Fairy rings. Improving the general health of your lawn will make it more resistant to infection. De-thatching by driving spikes onto the dead area will allow water, air, and nutrients to the roots. The fungal activity tends to block such access.
Q: Water restrictions make frequent lawn watering difficult. How much water does a lawn need?
A: lawns can survive 6 to 8 weeks of drought without the grass dying. It will go dormant and look brown but will green up when rain returns. Lawns need a good deep watering (1"/2.5 cm.) each time you water. Ideally they need water every week or ten days if there is no rain.
Q: I have an old lawn and want to fertilize it for better growth. What type of fertilizer is good? When should I apply it?
A: Grass needs a good supply off nitrogen, so use a fertilizer with a high nitrogen content ( e.g. 8-2-2). A slow release fertilizer is a good way to go. Spring dressing with compost annually and adding shredded leaves each the Fall will build up a rich soil naturally. Late Fall is the best time to apply lawn fertilizer. Choose a time when the grass has stopped growing but has not yet gone dormant. The end of October is good in our area.
Q: I have been told that mowing the lawn is a good way to get it to thicken up. Is that true?
A: Yes it is true, but the mowing should not be down to a very short level. The ideal height is 3" to 4" / 6 to 8 cm. So set your mower blades high. Be sure your mower blades are sharp.