A brief commentary on spring lawn seeding

Published by mrgrass on May 16th, 2013 - in Lawn Care Companies, Seeding & Overseeding

 

Spring lawn seeding can be done in a single spot or an area providing a quick way to repair plow damage and dead spots from the winter, or damage incurred in the drought of 2012.  If done correctly, spring seeding can help restore otherwise lost grass area adding to summer enjoyment.

Spring lawn seeding can help repair plow damage

Spring seeding can normally be done once the ground warms until early-to-mid June if properly done and with appropriate weed suppression.  Spring seeding takes a second seat to fall seeding due to reduced crabgrass and weed pressure in the fall.  Fall seeding affords warm soils and fast germination without crabgrass or annual weed choking out new growth.  However, with special treatments, spring seeding can be successful if done carefully and with the proper grass blends.

Regardless of how you fix your lawn, the grass types installed are critical toward long term success.  All grass blends are not created equal and you get what you pay for in terms of age, weed content, and site specific blends, be it drought-shade, sun, play or other locations.  Cheap grass seed and a lack of foresight is a common error in repairing or installing a lawn.  What appeared to be success can quickly turns to brown grass and defeat.

Full lawn installations are best saved for early spring or late summer into fall due to generally favorable weather.  Small repairs can be done anytime during the year but keep in mind, you will have weeds and crabgrass of varying population levels.  These weeds can be treated with a variety of specialty sprays but these are not inexpensive and must be done properly with qualified, licensed turf companies like Chippers.

Watering is the second most important factor in achieving good germination and helping establish a new lawn.  Without water, your seed will stay dormant and cannot germinate.  If you water in the beginning and then stop, the shallow rooted seedlings may perish within days without an adequate supply from rain or irrigation.  Try and water in the morning and late afternoon in the absence of rainfall to keep the seed alive and improve both germination and growth performance.

The overall success of your seeding can be summed up by two main factors; watering and seed type/quality.         

 

 

Tags: , , , , , , ,
No Comments »

Organic compost tea for your waterfront lawn

Published by mrgrass on May 14th, 2013 - in Compost Tea, Fertilizer, Lawn Care Companies

Compost tea makes an excellent, safe alternative to fertilizers and other products which should not be used near lakes, streams, or rivers.

Compost tea sprays for NH and VT lawns

No Comments »

My lawn has white and brown patches this spring

Published by mrgrass on May 13th, 2013 - in Cultural Practices, Lawn Care Companies

 

I bet your lawn does look strange this spring, the result of unusually dry and sunny conditions.  I have seen grass dormant and just not growing because it has not had enough moisture. I have seen snow mold patches just sitting amongst healthy turf.  I have seen stressed out turf with sun scald blended in with drought stress from excessively nice weather.  I have seen rock walls heating up the soil and causing brown dormancy typical of late June or July.  What is going on?  I bet you wish this spring was more “normal” but instead, your usually plush green spring carpet is sitting idle or has patchy oddities mixed in.

When in doubt, go back to the basics of proper watering and mowing, even if it is mid-May.  Even if the weather is cool, sunny dry weather will cause just as much harm and unseen stress to grass as a July day at the beach.  Picture fresh new leaves emerging and they are delicate, like a house plant being brought out onto the porch after winter.  Days of sunny, dry weather and wind cause an excessive drying effect and stress load on the lawn.  Your lawn has just starting coming out of dormancy and is looking for an abundant supply of water, but none is to be found.  The bright sunny days and warming soil stimulate new leaf blades but the water is not in enough supply and any new growth becomes stressed.  This type of problem will manifest itself with slowed growth, light browning, or a fast shock of sun scald where patches of grass appear with white tips or half wilted leaf blades.  I have included a picture taken recently to illustrate what this spring’s weather has done to a normally healthy, vibrant lawn.

Sunny dry weather can cause all kinds of lawn problems

Short mowing, below 2”, places unreasonable and terrible stress on a lawn already setup to turn brown, even in May, yes – even in spring!  You must mow at 3” whenever possible to promote deeper rooting and a better food manufacturing area, otherwise known as grass blades, to enhance long-term density.  Watering in a cool, dry spring is very important – especially on sandy soils. 

Now is the time to wait for rain and hope that the dreams of green come true and the summer of 2012 was just a one-time nightmare.  Stay tuned because no one knows what 2013 will bring; good or bad. 

Tags: , , , , ,
No Comments »

Concord NH lawn looking great

Published by mrgrass on May 11th, 2013 - in Lawn Care Companies

Here is a nice Concord NH lawn looking great due to proper treatments from our lawn program and watering.

A healthy green lawn in Concord NH

Tags: , , , , , ,
No Comments »

Dry spring weather delays lawn greening

Published by mrgrass on May 6th, 2013 - in Cultural Practices, Lawn Care Companies, Uncategorized

 

Have you noticed most lawns are just not greening up the way they normally do?  The lack of rainfall and continued dry weather has significantly reduced spring green-up and recovery from winter.  With minimal soil moisture, dormant grass is unable to push out new leaves made up primarily of water.  The resulting drought has stalled the normal lush growth expected in late April or early May.  Dead grass leaves from last year remain brown or white at or near the ground level.  This visually looks bad, with some minor new leaves but a brown or white tint below.  Lots of folks are asking if they should rake up what they perceive as dead thatch.  I say “no” because tearing up dead plant material will do more harm than good to a lawn not yet fully growing or recovered.

Dry spring lawns won't green up

Dry spring lawns won't green up

I am seeing lawns all over NH and VT “simmering”, not really green, not really dormant – a time typically reserved for dark green lush growth.  Any rainfall or irrigation can help push out new growth and get things going; after all summer is just around the corner and high heat usually spells trouble for New England grasses.  A spring dry period can reduce any lawn’s ability to recover after a normal winter possibly followed by snow mold or ice damage.  Some nice soaking showers or a few days of rain can help turn our brown lawns around and get the grass green and growing strong. 

Anyone with irrigation should most certainly be using it by now and those who can water with a sprinkler and hose should consider doing so to help revive lawn areas which are just not doing well.  Sunny areas may be dry, but so may areas with lots of tree roots.  Remember your lawn’s hot spots and those areas which tend to brown first given the heat of summer.  Target those sections first because they will most certainly be under stress, perhaps more than other lawn areas.

If rain does not arrive in the next week or so, I would strongly advise anyone who has a lawn care company to irrigate where possible to push new growth and help dissolve any granular/liquid products remaining on the surface of the lawn and move into down into the soil. 

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
No Comments »

Spring lawn care issues

Published by mrgrass on April 10th, 2013 - in Lawn Pests, Bugs & Insects, Turf Disease

As the snow recedes after our snowy winter, snow mold and mice damage may appear on your lawn as common spring lawn care issues.  Snow mold is a common turf disease and can range from visually unappealing to damaging with actual turf loss.  Snow mold can appear on the surface of your lawn even with no snow in some circumstances.  You will either see a pink or gray color, especially in the morning or with cool, moist conditions in March or April.  Once dry, the affected grass becomes matted, kind of like pink eye, all crusty.  I took the picture below of pink snow mold yesterday.  Another area was matted and dry, requiring a light raking to break up the old matted leaf blades so air and sunlight can hit the soil and speed up recovery.  Lawns with a severe case of snow mold should not receive an early crabgrass barrier.  Applying a crabgrass barrier with a severe case of snow mold will place unnecessary stress on your already weakened lawn, often promoting less recovery and/or thinning.  Your best option is to lightly rake a lawn with severe snow mold which will promote new growth.  This can be done in conjunction with a natural or organic fertilizer treatment followed up with crabgrass suppression in May.

 

snow mold on lawn in spring

 

Mice damage is another spring issue and is typical if the lawn is left too long going into winter.  Mice will feed on the surface leaves under the snow causing surface tunnels, as illustrated in the picture below.  Some turf damage may result if the base of the lawn is eaten, down at the crown level.  As the soil warms and your lawn starts to green, only then will you know if recovery is possible.  A simple tip to help reduce mouse damage is to mow your lawn short for the final cut of the season, down to 1-1.5”.  Be sure to mow your lawn if it is long in April to 2” and/or rake out the damaged areas to help promote recovery while applying an organic or natural fertilizer.

 

mice damage on lawn in the spring

 

Tags: , , , , , ,
No Comments »

NH lawn care includes fertilizer and lime for just $99

Published by mrgrass on April 4th, 2013 - in Fertilizer, Lawn Care Companies, Lime

Spring is officially here so take advantage of our spring lawn care special for a limited time to help your grass recover from snow mold and winter damage.

For just $99 we will give your lawn a generous portion of natural fertilizer and apply premium high calcium lime up to 10,000 square feet!  Save your spring weekend for family fun.

For more information or to just schedule this wonderful spring special, give us a call or e-mail turf@chippersin.com.

NH lawn care special, $99 for fertilizer and lime

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
No Comments »

Concord NH lawn care winner announced!

Published by mrgrass on April 3rd, 2013 - in Lawn Care Companies

Congratulations to the Scigliano family who won $500 worth of free lawn care treatments for the 2013 season by entering the contest off this blog in Concord NH!  Look for these Chipper lawn care trucks in your neighborhood this season for a greener, healthier lawn.

Chippers NH lawn care truck

Look for more updates, contests, and free useful lawn tips to home owners in and around Concord NH!

Sign up for free e-mails today so you don’t miss a time sensitive lawn care update this year.

chippers new lawn care truck

 

Tags: , , , , , ,
No Comments »

Do it yourself lawn care in NH

Published by mrgrass on March 26th, 2013 - in Fertilizer, Lawn Care Companies

Before you spend lots of money on “do it yourself” lawn care products this spring in NH, get a free lawn estimate that can save you both money and time.  April sweeps into NH as the dying remains of winter and departs with the sweet taste of spring like a gift to be unwrapped.  The end of March heralds the true beginning of the lawn season with lots of TV commercials and newspaper advertisements touting the latest in grass greening technology.  The good news, there is plenty of time to act smart and responsibly in achieving a healthy lawn or landscape.  The bad news, lots of confusion caused by companies that claim to have the best products or service for the “do it yourself” market.

But hold on, feeding your lawn is a bit more complicated when you arrive at the hardware store to find lots of bags similar to types of cereal.  Oh where to begin?  They all look so nice, full, and fulfilling.  Pretty colors and green grass on the bag cover just says success from first sight.  Do you opt for the organic whole wheat version fertilizer or do the Cocoa Crisps beckon your devotion to lawn improvement?  Some materials require specific timing and other materials will only target specific pests or weeds.  What is your lawn size anyway?  Experience tells me that most folks, like the big fish that got away, believe their lawn is usually bigger than reality.  The bags will tell you how much they treat, but what about different application rates?  It must be better to go on the heavy side?  Are you sure?

Lawn care products in the hardware store often have different application rates and that does not even count what the bag is claiming to control.  Perhaps grubs, crabgrass, broadleaf weeds, all of the above?  Oh my, this is complicated.  How much to put on my lawn that is probably smaller than I think, and I don’t know what grass types I have and if I put down too much…is that my lawn burning?

Missing sections of your lawn makes zebra stripes

 

Who doesn’t love dark green stripes on a pale lawn?!  Yeah, it’s a zebra lawn, what fun!  All the neighbors get to see how you missed fertilizing sections and not for days, but weeks and months!  “Oh the pain” you say like Dr. Smith from the 60’s TV show Lost in Space.  Why bother you say?  Exactly, this is where a professional lawn company can take all that pain, wasted time and money, frustration, and turn you lawn into a carpet of green gold awaiting your use and enjoyment this year.  If you figure in your valuable weekend time, the cost of the products you purchase, application mistakes, storage, purchasing wrong materials, and having missed the window of effective pest control, then yes, a professional is going to save you money and time.

So before you are hypnotized by TV or newspaper advertisements and cause more harm than good, call a local professional and get yourself a free estimate this spring from a reputable local lawn care provider.  “Feed it” the right way, the smart way.

 

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
No Comments »

Chippers’ Mr. Grass attends NH home show!

Published by mrgrass on March 6th, 2013 - in Lawn Care Companies, Misc.

Are you sick of snow and are ready for green grass and colorful flowers?

This is your chance to meet Chippers’ Mr. Grass in person and ask him lawn questions.

Have a problem lawn?

Don’t have a lawn?

 

Mr. Grass is ready for spring, are you?

 

Mr. Grass will be at the following home shows this March:

Hanover HomeLife Show March 15- 17 at Leverone Field House, 26 South Park Street, Dartmouth College, Hanover NH

Enter the contest by clicking on the “Contest” button above to register.  You can win one year of free lawn care worth $500 in the Greater Concord or Lakes Region area!

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
No Comments »
© Copyright 2009-2012 Chippers, Inc. All Rights Reserved.