Turf Nutrition Services – September 2024
Welcome to September—a pivotal month for your lawn’s health and vitality as we transition into fall.
September is here, and it’s the ideal time for crucial lawn care activities to ensure your lawn is lush and healthy.
This month, our primary focus is core aeration and overseeding, adjusting mowing practices, and optimizing watering techniques. Here’s how to ensure your lawn stays vibrant and lush.
October Application
In August, we applied 15-0-5 with Detonation technology and liquid nutrition. For October, and to close out the season, we’ll feature a 18-0-7 combo product with high-calcium lime, humic acid, and iron
- 18% Nitrogen (N): Provides a substantial boost to encourage lush, green growth, helping your grass store energy in its roots for the coming dormant winter months.
- 7% Potassium (K): Essential for strengthening cell walls and improving the grass’s ability to withstand stress, cold weather, and diseases.
- 13% Calcium (Ca): Remedy lime as a soil conditioner, improving soil structure and pH balance which enhances nutrient uptake and fosters healthier soil microbial activity.
- 10% Ammonium Sulfate (AMS): Provides readily available nitrogen to help maintain green color and density during the cooler months, and sulfur to enhance nutrient efficiency and protein synthesis.
- 7% Humic Acids: Enhances soil fertility by increasing cation exchange capacity, improving soil structure, and promoting better root growth and development.
- 1% Iron (Fe): Gives your lawn a deep green color without promoting excessive growth, ideal for entering the cooler season.
Additional, Optional Applications
- Starter fertilizer – September
- Granular Humic Acid (90%) – September
- Liquid aeration – September
Seasonal Readings:
- How long does it take grass to grow?
- How much grass seed do I need?
- How often to water new grass seed?
- Core aeration and overseeding
- When is the best time to overseed a lawn?
Key Lawn Care Activities for September:
- Core Aeration and Overseeding: Now is the ideal time to perform core aeration, which relieves soil compaction and enhances nutrient uptake. Following aeration, overseeding will help thicken your turf and introduce resilient grass varieties. These steps are crucial for promoting a healthy, dense lawn.
- Mowing Adjustments: As the growing season continues, adjust your mowing practices by lowering the mower blades. Cutting it shorter in the cooler months helps encourage deeper root growth and tillering, preparing your lawn for the colder months ahead.
- Watering and Irrigation: Proper watering is essential, especially after overseeding. Ensure the soil remains consistently moist to facilitate seed germination and support new growth. Adjust your irrigation system as needed to maintain this crucial moisture level.
Monitoring and Managing Potential Issues:
- Grub and Insect Control: Although we applied Acelepryn in early May for grub prevention, activity may be present. If you notice unusual lawn damage, send me pictures immediately so we can address any issues quickly.
- Weed Control: We’ve paused herbicide treatments to protect new seedlings and prevent the disruption of germination. However, once you mow the new grass 2-3 times, we can spot-treat any stubborn weeds to keep your lawn clean without harming young grass.
As we transition into the cooler months, it is important to address some of the challenges you might have faced during the summer, particularly concerning lawn health. The high temperatures and intense sun exposure may have led to brown, diseased grass, particularly in lawns not equipped with the right type of grass. Investing in premium grass seeds during our overseeding process is a proactive step towards a healthier, more resilient lawn.
Benefits of Premium Grass Seeds:
- Disease Resistance: Selecting high-quality seeds means planting grass varieties specifically bred to resist common lawn diseases. These grass types not only enhance your lawn’s health and durability but also reduce the need for chemical treatments.
- Heat and Drought Tolerance: Thanks to advanced breeding techniques, certain grass varieties (like the ones from Jonathan Green) have been developed to better withstand extreme weather conditions. These grasses maintain their lush, green appearance, even during low rainfall and high temperatures, ensuring your lawn stays vibrant and healthy.
- Improved Lawn Density and Appearance: Premium seeds develop into denser, greener turf that enhances your property’s curb appeal and serves as a natural barrier against weeds. The thick growth prevents weed seeds from finding soil to germinate in, keeping your lawn pristine and low-maintenance.
Using these superior seeds is a cornerstone of my fall lawn care recommendations, especially during the overseeding process. Overseeding with premium cultivars ensures that your lawn is prepared to face the upcoming winter and is set up for success in the following spring and summer seasons.
Get in touch with Pat at Mass Turf Aeration for aeration and overseeding.
| GRASS-TYPE | SEEDING POOR LAWN | SEEDING NICE LAWN | SEEDING NEW LAWN |
| Kentucky Bluegrass | 2-3 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. | 1-2 lbs.per 1,000 sq. ft. | 3-4 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. |
| Perennial Ryegrass | 7-9 lbs.per 1,000 sq. ft. | 4-7 lbs.per 1,000 sq. ft. | 9-11 lbs.per 1,000 sq. ft. |
| Fine Fescue | 6-8 lbs.per 1,000 sq. ft. | 3-6 lbs.per 1,000 sq. ft. | 8-10 lbs.per 1,000 sq. ft. |
| Turf Type Tall Fescue | 6-8 lbs.per 1,000 sq. ft. | 3-6 lbs.per 1,000 sq. ft. | 8-10 lbs.per 1,000 sq. ft. |
FAQs about Aeration and Overseeding:
- What is core aeration?
- Core aeration involves removing small plugs of soil to alleviate compaction, allowing air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the root zone, essential for healthier, stronger turf.
- Core aeration involves removing small plugs of soil to alleviate compaction, allowing air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the root zone, essential for healthier, stronger turf.
- Why is overseeding important?
- Overseeding helps fill in thin or bare patches, enhances turf density, and updates your lawn with newer, more resilient grass varieties that can better withstand environmental stresses.
- Overseeding helps fill in thin or bare patches, enhances turf density, and updates your lawn with newer, more resilient grass varieties that can better withstand environmental stresses.
- When is the best time to aerate and overseed?
- The ideal time is late summer to early fall when soil temperatures are warm enough for seed germination but cooler air temperatures reduce the stress on new seedlings.
- The ideal time is late summer to early fall when soil temperatures are warm enough for seed germination but cooler air temperatures reduce the stress on new seedlings.
- How long does it take for new grass to grow?
- New grass typically begins to grow within 7-10 days, depending on the grass type, watering practices, and soil temperature.
- New grass typically begins to grow within 7-10 days, depending on the grass type, watering practices, and soil temperature.
- What are the fastest growing grass seed varieties?
- Perennial Ryegrass (7-10 days), Kentucky 31 Fescue (7-14 days), and Kentucky Bluegrass (14-21 days) are among the fastest to germinate.
- Perennial Ryegrass (7-10 days), Kentucky 31 Fescue (7-14 days), and Kentucky Bluegrass (14-21 days) are among the fastest to germinate.
- What factors affect grass seed germination?
- Key factors include grass variety, soil and air temperature, and proper watering.
- Key factors include grass variety, soil and air temperature, and proper watering.
- How often should new grass seed be watered?
- Water new grass seed daily to keep the soil and seeds moist, which is crucial for successful germination.
- Water new grass seed daily to keep the soil and seeds moist, which is crucial for successful germination.
- What is the best time of day to water new grass?
- Early morning is ideal, as it allows the lawn to absorb water before evaporation rates increase in the heat of the day.
- Early morning is ideal, as it allows the lawn to absorb water before evaporation rates increase in the heat of the day.
- Can I mow the lawn after overseeding?
- Avoid mowing until the new grass has been established for 3-4 weeks to prevent disturbing the young seedlings.
- Avoid mowing until the new grass has been established for 3-4 weeks to prevent disturbing the young seedlings.
- When can I start using weed control after overseeding?
- It’s safe to start spot treating weeds with a post-emergent weed killer after the new grass has been mowed 2-3 times, ensuring the young grass is robust enough to handle the treatment.
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