We can all contribute to a better ecosystem, and incorporating
organic lawn care in our lawn maintenance plan, is a great place to
start. Each year, billions of dollars are spent on chemicals and
pesticides for lawn care to keep the more than 30 million acres of turf
in the United States healthy. Because pesticides can be harmful on an
already fragile ecosystem it's important to avail ourselves of other
eco-friendly methods of lawn care.
Organic lawn care is
easier and less expensive than you might think. Furthermore, a lawn
maintained with organic methods is much healthier in the long run, for
instance:
- They withstand drought more easily
- They are less susceptible to pest and disease problems
- They can be enjoyed, by people and pets without worry about getting sick
LAWN OVERSEEDING can help you take your lawn (Golf Course, client's lawns) from so so to sensational. Most people think just by throwing some seed on your old turf will get you the great lawn you are going for. Not true! Follow these tips to make sure you do overseeding right.
Tip #1 - Time it Right
Time of year is VERY important for seeding of grasses (Bermuda, Fescue, Alfalfa (for farmers), St. Augustine, Kentucky Blue grass, etc). If you're overseeding with a cool
season grass, do it in the Fall, the peak growing time for cool season
grasses. For warm season grasses, think Spring.
Tip #2 - Prep your Soil
Give the soil the nourishment it needs to last and help grass to grow. Remove thatch, and consider aerating
your lawn. Loosen the soil with a strong raking as well. This is also a
great time to test your soil and amend your soil, whether it's upping
its phosphorous levels or adjusting its pH.
SumaGreen products (SumaGreen Turf) will benefit these needs and give your soil and grass everything it will need to properly grow better. Some starter fertilizer may help but at very low dose if using the SumaGreen Turf.
Tip #3 - Mow Your Lawn Short
Scalp your lawn! Yes, the same conditions that give weeds an easy entrance also
makes it easy for you newly overseeded lawn to take hold. You want your
new lawn seeds to have as much contact with the soil as possible, so
scalp away.
Tip #4 - Sow Seed Heavily
For lawn overseeding to succeed,
you need a lot of seeds. You should plan to double the seeding you
would do if you were putting the seeds down on straight soil with no
existing turf. Since you are trying to grow the grass you want to give yourself the best chances to succeed the FIRST time.
Tip #5 - Baby Your Lawn
Even though you have existing
turf, your new sprouts are just as delicate as a completely new lawn, so
treat your yard accordingly. Put a protective light top soil, spray
SumaGreen Turf with SumaGrow inside at 4 oz per 1000 sq/ft for quicker germination of seed,
water, water, water, and stay off the grass for a few weeks. To properly measure the water you can put a small cup in your yard to measure (Approximately) how much water you are putting down. Only put an inch of water on grass. Of course water in early morning and late evening so moisture stays in grass during hot days. Also OVER watering is bad so try to use best judgement and avoid puddling on grass.
Tip#6 - Sit back and Enjoy your NEW Plush grass.
