FALL 2004 ONLINE NEWSLETTER

Aeration and Seeding

Fall is the best time to aerate and overseed your lawn. Please check out the FYI sheet for more information on this important service.

If you plan to do the seeding yourself, here are some helpful tips:

• Use improved varieties of tall fescue at a rate of 6—8 Pounds per 1000 square feet. Do not apply at a heavier rate because too much seedling competition will choke out the seedlings and they will die.

• Good soil/seed contact is recommended either by doing a core aeration or hand raking dead areas.

• Once areas have been seeded, keep the area moist at all times until the seed has germinated. Heavy irrigations are not necessary. Water 10—15 minutes in each sprinkler location.

• After the seed has germinated, keep watering if we are not getting enough natural rainfall to keep it moist. Mow the seedlings when they reach a height of 4 –5 inches and keep mowing them with the regular mowing rotation of your lawn.

If falling leaves are an issue in your lawn, do not allow them to accumulate. (This goes for grass clippings too!) They will smother and kill the seedlings. We recommend using a leaf blower or lawn mower bagger/sweeper to remove them. Because the new seedlings still have a shallow root system, raking can cause damage. If you must rake, rake gently and preferably when the leaves are dry.

We will be starting our aerations and seedings as soon as the weather cools a bit. September and into October are the best months to do this service. If you have questions or would like these services, please give us a call.

Leaves will be starting to fall soon. Make sure to keep them up as best possible. We cannot service lawns with heavy leaf accumulation. If left on the lawn for long periods, they can smother even established grass plants.

TIP: Now is a great time to dig new beds for planting in the spring. You’ll get a head start next year (and won’t be digging in the rain and cold). The birds will help by eating the insects that you turn up— very good for the new plants you’ll be putting in!

Your Landscape

Fall is a great time for planting. Plant ornamental trees and shrubs now to give them time to get established before winter sets in.

Before planting shrubs and small ornamental trees, make sure to untangle outside roots or make several small cuts in the bottom third of the root mass. This encourages the new roots to grow outward and establish more quickly.

You can start dividing your perennials and multiplying bulbs (like daffodils) as soon as it cools off a bit. While it remains hot in the afternoons, try to do this on cooler, overcast days. It helps to give them a good soaking when transplanting. Wait to plant new bulbs until late October or early November to keep them from sprouting this year.

Plant pansies as soon as they are available. This will give them time to develop good roots before the soil gets cold. They often survive the winter in this area depending on our weather.

After the leaves fall from your deciduous trees and shrubs, it is a good time to prune. Do not prune azaleas or rhododendrons if they have set their buds. The buds are next year’s flowers.

Perennials can be trimmed back after the leaves turn brown. You can leave them untrimmed through the winter as protection. Be sure to trim them back in the spring before new growth starts.

Remember - the proper mowing height is 3 - 3 1/2 inches.