It's that time of year for grass seed, fertilizer and lime. Soon you will be able to satisfy that gardening itch. So slip on your Sloggers, put on a pair of Mudd gloves and then what do you do? The first outdoor issue is to clean up. You will want to clean up the fall/winter debris from your lawn so that you can assess any damage. Are there any thin or bare spots in the lawn that need to be seeded? Spring is a perfect time to do seeding because of the cool nights, warm days and lots of moisture. However, before you seed you might want to find out the pH of your soil. The correct pH makes all the difference in growing turf grasses. Not only does a neutral pH help your grass absorb more nutrients from fertilizers, it also makes the soil less desirable to weeds. We offer free pH testing or you can purchase your own test kit. From your test results we can tell you how much lime your lawn needs. The soil in our area tends to be a clay/loam mixture that is acidic. A pH of 6.5 to 6.8 is recommended for most turf grasses. In order to raise the pH one point, it takes about 50 lbs. of palletized lime per 1,000 sq. ft. of lawn.

The thin or bare spots in your lawn can be seeded no matter how cold the weather might be. The seed will stay dormant until the soil reaches the right temperature then it will germinate. To ensure good germination the areas to be seeded should be scratched with a rake. If you have a build up of thatch (dead grass) in these areas it should be removed so that the grass seed comes into direct contact with the soil. There are many brands and mixtures of grass seed to choose from. This is where our expertise can also help. If you can tell us how much sun or shade your lawn receives we can tell you what seed mixtures are right for you.

Don't forget the fertilizer! Without food you would not survive and the same is true for your lawn. If your are over seeding your lawn or just doing a few small patches you can put down a straight turf food such as our own 30-4-14 or Greenview's Green Power 30-4-4. However, a seed starter fertilizer with a high amount of potassium (i.e. 11-23-10) for root development is recommended for seeding large bare areas.

Once you have spread your seed, fertilizer and lime, you should cover it with hay or Penn mulch. One thing to remember is that your new seedlings cannot be exposed to most weed killers until they are mature, or you have mowed at least 3 times. If you have any questions, please call one of our three locations and our experts will be happy to help you.

Now, the only thing left to do is sit back and watch the grass grow. Oh yah, don't forget it is crabgrass application time up until approximate lilac bloom. Crabgrass controls using Dimension are okay to apply up to the 2nd or 3rd-leaf stage. This can be done only if you are not seeding. It is not dandelion season yet, so don't worry about them. They will be coming next.

	Register your email address. We'll keep you posted on any/all garden related information and Special Events through periodic newsletters. It's a great way to stay informed. Enter Your E-Mail Address: