Three Steps to a Better Fescue Lawn

You have had a chance to watch your lawn evolve over the years to where it is today. It may have bare spots or unwanted grassy or broadleaf weeds that detract from its appearance. Unless you take some action I can pretty well guarantee that the lawn will not evolve back to the lush green uniform lawn that you once had at the start (assuming it was nice at one time).

First you want to identify the short comings and the causal agents. Bare spots could be the result of pets, poor sprinkler coverage, fertilizer burn, excessive shade, annual weed pressure, poor soils, etc.  As the landscape matures and trees cast a more shade the lawn may thin or nearly disappear. Weeds are easier to control when you have properly identified them and know their life cycle. Crabgrass and bermuda grass are not the same by any stretch.

Secondly, you will want to correct the things that you are able to.  I would definitely address the sprinklers as they are a key element in having a thick, healthy lawn. Sprinklers should be checked regularly throughout the season and adjusted as needed for time and coverage. Poor soils could be amended or replaced. Tough perennial weeds like dallisgrass and bermuda should be sprayed out a few times in August and September to help eliminate them. There are no guarantees on totally killing bermuda, but one can definitely hurt it badly.

The third step is to get the lawn thickened up with the desirable grasses, but only after one has worked on the sprinklers and perennial weeds. Preparation of the site is very important. Aeration and dethatching assure that the seed will make good soil contact and increase your chances of good germination. The area should be smooth and open up enough to allow the seed to drop down to the soil below. In thin spots or areas where one is essentially reestablishing a lawn, the use of a ¼ inch of humus to cover the seed will help hold onto moisture and heat to establish the new seedlings. Finally, the addition of a starter fertilizer high in phosphorus (the middle number on the bag) will assist the seedlings to grow faster and with a healthier root system going into the winter months.

That’s basically it. It is not rocket science, but it is important not to cut corners. If you would like a free evaluation of your lawn and some free advice you can call Weed Man at 559-266-1624 or check out our website at Fresno.WeedManUSA.com.

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