End of summer lawn care tips!

While late-summer is typically thought of as back-to-school time, for the homeowner it should be synonymous with over-seeding time. As the daytime temperatures lower to the seventies, they allow for faster grass seed germination, while the cool nights provide relief and less favorable weather for weeds to germinate. Cooler temperatures also reduce insect and disease infestation, while fall rain is fairly reliable and many water bans start to ease. These favorable conditions make back-to-school the best time to rejuvenate your lawn.

Over-seeding not only helps your lawn look lush and healthy, it will crowd out crabgrass and other unwanted weeds, creating a lawn that will ultimately require less maintenance and less money.


Over-seeding is not as complicated as some people fear.

- First, mow on the lowest possible setting, using a grass catcher if you have one. To ensure the best seed-to-soil contact, rake the area removing all dead grass and twigs. This is also a good time to do your yearly addition of organic matter by spreading a half-inch layer of compost.

- Next, spread your seed. It’s best to start with new seed. Old seed has a lower germination rate, and as years pass, its germination rate declines. Additionally, new seeds are constantly being bred to provide better disease, drought, insect and wear resistance. This will not only add a new layer of natural protection to your lawn, but diversify your seed type reducing the chance of a large-scale loss from disease or insect attacks.

- For the next three weeks, the most important thing to do is water. Water shallow at first, twice a day, getting the top quarter-inch wet. It is critical to keep the seed moist during the first three weeks. This is a good time to invest in a simple faucet-end water timer to make it easier. After three weeks, you can water less frequently but more deeply. Mow when the old grass reaches three-inches.

For lawns with large, bare areas, it’s best to scratch the surface and seed by hand. Work the seed lightly into the soil, and cover with a thin layer of straw, sifted compost or soil-less growing medium such as mulch to improve soil contact. Again it’s important to prevent seeds from ever drying out.

Creating the lawn you’ve always wanted can be easy with quality grass seed, seed fertilizer and consistent watering. Once you’re done you’ll have a thick lawn that will not only naturally crowd-out crabgrass, but will withstand drought, leaving your lawn green and your neighbors with envy.

Post by Joanne Vanderhoef
Marketing and Media Specialist

The Management Group
Property and HOA Management in Vancouver WA and Portland OR
http://www.TMGnorthwest.com

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