The Grass can be Greener!
Now that we can see our lawn and it seems to be getting greener thanks to the sunshine this week, let's talk about what we can do to build up a good, healthy lawn (the best defence against weeds and pests).
Everyone is anxious to get outside, and believe me, we are too! However, be sure to wait until your lawn has dried out before doing any work on it, otherwise you might be doing more harm than good.
Here are Karen's Top 5 Lawn Tips
Karen, our store manager is very knowledgeable about lawn care and the different products available. These are her top tasks for a thick and healthy lawn.
1. Raking
Right now is a good time to be giving your lawn a light rake to remove the debris from last week's storm. Avoid anything too aggressive so the tender crowns are not affected.
2. Fertilizing
Most fertilizers contain major fertilizer elements represented with a three-digit number (such as 21-6-12). Each number is the percentage of element in the following order: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Every blend of fertilizer serves a different purpose or need. Most spring fertilizer combinations will contain a larger first number for a big burst of nitrogen to green everything up.
Turf Revolution Green Acres (5-1-5) :: (Natural Fertilizer)- natural lawn and garden fertilizer
- natural alfalfa based granular blend of nutrients
- produced in a small crumble for easy application and timely breakdown
Parkwood Lawn Food (21-6-12) :: (Synthetic Fertilizer)- custom blended to keep your lawn green, healthy and beautiful
- 40% slow release sulphur coated nitrogen for gradual feeding
- phosphorus to help promote vigorous root growth
- apply to a dry lawn and water it in
Scotts Turf Builder Pro Lawn Fertilizer (31-3-8) :: (Synthetic Fertilizer)- no need to water in; apply on wet or dry lawns
- won't burn your lawn when used as directed
- contains slow release nitrogen
Optional Fertilizer Choice
This is 100% corn gluten that, when applied to your lawn will inhibit any existing seeds to grow. It will not eliminate your existing weeds in your lawn but will inhibit germination of any weed seeds before they get started (including crabgrass and dandelion seeds). Now is a good time to apply this product, just remember that you need to wait 6-8 weeks before topdressing and adding grass seed.
Amaizeingly Green Weed 'n' Feed Turf Fertilizer- 100% corn gluten meal
- turf fertilizer 10-0-0
- controls germinating dandelion and crabgrass in established turf and provides a complete nitrogen fertilizing feeding.
3. and 4. Topdress and Overseed
- topdress with a good soil with lots of compost (not a topsoil)
- choose a good quality grass seed blend such as Fescue, Ryegrass and Bluegrass
- a grass blend creates diversity which promotes strength
- by thickening your lawn, you will be reducing spaces for most weeds to get established and grow
- apply a seed starter fertilizer the same day to get the seedlings off to a fast strong start
- water every morning for three weeks to ensure all seeds germinate
- after germination, reduce watering but keep area moist so that the root system will develop deeper into the soil
Turf Revolution Time Sav'r Topdressing- pelletized dehydrated compost
- no mess, easy to apply
- pelletized compost for topdressing lawns or enhancing garden soils
- increases organic matter on and in the soil
Parkwood Grass Seed - Sun & Partial Shade- 40% Kentucky Bluegrass, 40% Creeping Red Fescue and 20% Express Perennial Ryegrass
- establishes quickly to produce an excellent quality dark green lawn
- thrives in full sun to partial shade
Parkwood Grass Seed - Shade- 10% Jasper Creeping Red Fescue, 60% Creeping Red Fescue, 10% Kentucky Bluegrass and 20% Perennial Ryegrass
- grows in areas with up to 65% shade and produces a fine-textured hardy lawn
- requires less water and fertilizer than conventional lawn mixes and blends in well with existing lawns
Speare Seed- local company using certified seed in the mixtures
- seed contains endophytes, a natural way to reduce the risk of insect infestation (white grubs)
- bulk seed is available by the scoop in: Sun/Shade Mix, Super Grow, Overseeding Mix and Water Saver Mix
Trophy Turf Kentucky Bluegrass by Speare Seed- a low growing persistent fine-leafed variety species which produces a blue-green colour
White Clover by Speare Seed- robust, adaptive, drought resistant and somewhat shade tolerant
- sow in spring or late summer
- produces small flowers and may attract bees
Pickseed Golf Pro Luxury Blend Grass Seed for Sun- premium mixture for mainly sunny areas
- contains 25% premium Kentucky Bluegrass, 30% Creeping Red Fescue, 45% Turf-type Perennial Ryegrass
Scott's Turf Builder EZ Seed- premium 3-in-1 mix of super absorbent mulch, premium grass seed and slow release fertilizer
- growing material absorbs water and expands to surround and protect seed from drying out
- fertilizer releases over time to ensure quick establishment and long term feeding
Wildflower Farm's Eco-Lawn- the ultimate low maintenance lawn seed
- blend of carefully selected fine fescue grasses developed by an Ontario company; Wildflower Farm
- grows in full sun, part shade and even deep shade
- highly drought tolerant once established and has a beautiful green colour
5. Be Water Wise (after your turf is established)
- avoid overwatering as the grass will become weaker and more susceptible to weed and pest infestations
- frequent shallow watering promotes shallow roots, which reduces the ability of the lawn to resist stress
- allow your soil to become nearly dry between watering then water deeply
- watering in the early morning allows proper soaking before the burning sun or night chill sets in
- follow your local watering restrictions and watch for watering bans during extended periods of drought
- during dry periods, a lawn may turn brown and go dormant
- when in the dormant stage, check regularly for insect pests, keep traffic off, stop mowing and do not fertilize
Which option is best for you? Choose one of the approaches we have mentioned to thicken up your lawns, hand-weeding and some preventative work to achieve a new, healthier lawn. Questions? We're here to help!
All products mentioned are available at Dufferin Garden Centre
Do you know another gardener who might enjoy this article?
Beneficial Nematodes from NIC 
C-I-L Golfgreen Starter (10-20-5) 
Turf Revolution Salt Stopper 
Celebrating Earth Day Weekend!
Composting is an important way to recycle and can be done right in your backyard. It is an easy way to reduce the amount of household garbage and produce a valuable soil amendment all at the same time!
Growing:
After a winter that didn't seem to end, I'm anxious to get outside and check things out...maybe first I will have a nap!