Tips

Spring:

Now is the time to put on those pre-emergent for crabgrass control. Typically here in New York you would like to have pre-emergent on by April 15th. However crabgrass does not germinate until soil temperatures reach 55 degrees, so the date is merely a guideline. Also this is a good time for a Core Aeration along with the Fall.

Watering is best done early the morning, if possible, to guard against disease problems. Do not water during the heat of the day. With high winds and evaporation working against your efforts you might be wasting time and money.

Water at least one inch per week this may have to be upped do to excessive heat or sandy soils. During the heat of the summer cool season grasses may appear to be dead do not worry they are probably only dormant and will bounce back with cooler temps and some rainfall.

This is the perfect time of year to aerate as is the Spring. Aerate just before you apply fall fertilizer and/or do any necessary over seeding.

Aerating enables air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the soils surface and get down to the root zone. Fall is also the most important time to fertilize and treat your lawn for any weeds that you might find. However, you probably will not see any benefit of the fertilizer application until spring.

If you have ever walked across a frosted lawn that isn't dormant, you may have noticed your footprints showing up later in the day. Though this is unsightly, it does not kill the turf. Grass blades are damaged but the crown is not. Actively growing turf will often recover after two to four mowings. Damage that occurs late in the fall will continue to show damage until it is masked by the rest of the lawn turning brown due to cold weather. It is believed that the damage is caused by ice crystals killing plant cells when they are forced into the leaf by the weight of a wheel or foot. Remember to avoid damage by staying off of frosted turf.