Spring Lawn Care
The Fraser valley is well known for having wet weather conditions through the fall and winter.Not only does it encourage the growth of moss, it also kills off many of the finer turf grasses. So how do you restore your lawn to its natural beauty? Here's an easy step-by-step guide
First it is important to keep your lawn free and clear of fallen debris and leaves. A good raking in fall will allow the lawn to breath and not compost on the finer grasses.
First thing in early spring Lime the lawn. Liming sweetens the soil and encourages grass growth at the same time helps to discourage moss growth. Because fraser Valley soils are naturally acidic liming the lawn will raise the PH levels in the soil and allow the lawn to grow better and will slow down moss growth. Dolo-Plus granular Lime is a easy spreading lime that works great and dosen't blow around like traditional powder limes. Apply rain or shine,
If Moss is a problem in the lawn apply a liquid or granular moss Control. This will discolor the moss and prepare it for removal. Moss growth is generally caused by Shady conditions , acidic soil conditions, and compacted soils with poor drainage. Best to apply when weather predictions a minimumm of 1 day of dry weather after application. Keep moss control off concrete sidewalks to avoid any possible staining.
Next rake out the moss. This can be done by hand with a good moss rake. Or you can rent a de-thatching machine from a local rental centre . This step will remove the moss and any thatch from out of the lawn at soil level.
On older lawns with compacted soils . Aeration can rectifie tired lawns by removing cores of soil to allow for better aeration and drainage . On small lawns a foot aerator can be used but for bigger lawns a gas powered machine can be rented.
After being aerorated the lawn should be top dressed with a half inch layer of shar
The final step is to overseed the lawn with Nurseryland overseeder lawn seed and Nurseryland seed and sod starter fertilizer. Maintain moisture as required to allow the seed to germinate. If you follow these steps you can renovate a lawn to its original beauty.
If you need help renovating an existing lawn or starting a new lawn come see us. We would love to help you at our garden centre.
