A: Healthy, growing lawn provides oxygen, beauty, a safe playing area, cools the house, and increases home value. A healthy lawn is also the key to preventing insect infestations, weed problems, and fungus diseases.

Q: How often should I mow?

A: Mow regularly and remove only one-third of the growth of the blade of grass at at time. Use a mulching mower and leave the clippings on the lawn to supply about 25% of the fertilizer needs of the lawn. A healthy growing lawn will not develop thatch due to clippings as the clippings are 90% water and generally decompose in 7 to 10 days.

Q: When should I mow?

A: Early evening is the best time to mow. The late start gives grass blades time to recover before they're exposed to daytime heat and wind. Mow with a sharp blade, and never mow wet grass. It's actually best to mow your lawn in different directions. That keeps grass from developing permanent ridges, ruts or becoming compacted from constant traffic. If you are using a Recycler mower, the clippings are cut and recut and discharged into the grass. If you are using a side discharge mower, be sure that your clippings are thrown toward unmown grass as they'll be chopped and pulverized better.

Q: What is healthy soil?

A: The condition of the soil under your grass is the most important element to the overall health of your lawn. About half of the volume of a healthy soil is composed of mineral particles and organic matter. The other half of the volume is taken up with air and water (about 50/50). Soil maintenace involves aeration, pH balance, a steady source of new organic material and/or fertilizer. When the soil has sufficient air, water, minerals and organic material, it can support the life of microorganisms which produce valuable plant nutrients and help eliminate thatch through decomposition.

Healthy soil can prevent a lot of problems and reduce your use of fertilzer, herbicides and pesticides. Core aeration reduces soil compaction and allows deeper root growth and improves drainage. A soil test will help you determine the pH level -- the preferred pH for most turfgrasses ranges between six and seven (with 7 being neutral). If the soil is too acidic, it will discourage microbe activity. Nutrients also need to be added on a regular basis. Organic material can be used, such as grass clippings, finely chopped dried leaves and compost, and applied as a topdressing. Slow release fertilizers should also be applied according to the requirements of the particular type of turfgrass you have growing. By taking care of your soil, you are taking the first step in attaining a healthy lawn.

Q: What does fertilizer do for my lawn?

A: Fertilizers are commonly labeled with N-P-K ratios (N=nitrogen, P=phosphorus, K=potassium). Nitrogen makes lawns green, phosphorus promotes good roots, potassium is a disease fighter. Other trace elements are needed for a healthy lawn. Calcium promotes root hair growth, magnesium is a big part of chlorophyll, sulfur helps seeds form, boron improves the yield, copper makes enzymes work harder, manganese stimulates germination, molybdenum makes nitrogen enzymes work harder, and zinc is needed for chlorophyll and growth.

Q: What kind of fertilizer should I use?

A: (See Below for Schedule) There are two basic categories of nitrogen fertilizer -- soluble and slow release. Soluble fertilizers are available quickly to plants (even at low temperatures), stimulate rapid growth and are depleted quickly. To keep your lawn healthy, use fertilizer with slow release nitrogen. To maintain uniform growth over a long period of time and to prevent possible burning, you'll need to make frequent, light applications of the materials. Slow release nitrogen sources depend on soil bacteria or moisture to gradually decompose the materials and transform the compounds into usable forms of nitrogen. Consequently, they release nitrogen to the grass over a longer period of time.

Q: How often should I water my lawn?

A: Water (or rainfall) at a rate of 1" per week about every 3 or 4 days during the growing season. A little more often if the temperature is very high. Water deeply to wet the top 3 to 5 inches of the soil to encourage deeper root growth. Avoid daily light watering as this will promote shallow root growth and make the lawn more prone to drought conditions. If you are starting a new lawn, frequent watering to keep the soil moist is essential. An automatic lawn sprinkler system will help you water properly and easily without waisting water.

The 4-step premium ferti-lome Lawn Care Program

Step 1 - Use feri-lome Lawn Food plus Crabgrass and Weed Preventer - 16-4-8   This is a unique combination of fertilizer to feed the lawns and Barricade to kill grassy and broadleaf weed seeds before the germinate.

• Water in to activate the product.
• Apply anytime, for best results apply Jan. 15 through Mar.15    May 30 - June 30   Oct 15 - 30

Step 2 - Use feri-lome Lawn Food plus Iron 28 - 4 - 4     A good all-around lawn food with two types of nitrgen and iron. Ideal for fast greening and long-term stable growth on all types of lawns.

• Water in to activate the product
• Allow 4-6 weeks between fertilizer applications
• Apply in spring March 15 - May 30

Step 3 - Use feri-lome South-West Green Maker Fertilizer 18 - 4 - 6     A premium lawn food especially formulated for alkaline soils. 10% sulpher helps correct alkalinity while 5% iron makes lawns green.

• Allow 4-6 weeks between fertilizer applications
• Apply during growing season May 15 - Aug 30

or, use feri-lome Classic Lawn Food 16 - 4- 8 Slow-Release Nitrogen     This is a combination of slow, slower and slowest release nitrogens that are great for southern lawns. Reduces lawn growth and grass clippings. One application lasts up to 2 months.

• Allow 8 weeks between applications
• Apply during growing season May 15 - Aug 30

Step 4 - Use feri-lome Original Winterizer 10- 4- 14     Great for fall feeding - the most important feeding. Helps lawns come out quicker, thicker and greener in spring.

• Water in to activate the product
• Apply in autumn Sept 15 - Jan 1

Copyright 2002 - Maas Nursery
Another fine web site by www.webpagedesigner.com