The Kansas City summer heat can do quite a number on your lawn if you’re not prepared. Even if your overheated yard is lifeless and limp, don’t give up on your dream lawn just yet – the turf professionals at Heinen Landscape are here to help! Believe it or not, late summer leading into fall is the best time to germinate and plant new grass seed. We’ve put together three steps to give your lawn the help it needs to recover and rejuvenate!
Step 1: Remove all Weeds & Fill in Any Holes. The first step to yard renovation is eliminating weeds that may compete with your new grass. An effective way to eliminate weeds (that requires less physical labor than pulling by hand), is using an herbicide that contains the active ingredient glyphosate. Once weeds are dead and gone, mow that area on the shortest mower setting. Also, be sure to fill in any squirrel or other animal-created holes as well as unwanted low spots to avoid future drainage problems.
Step 2: Select the Correct Grass Seed & Prepare Your Soil. The species and variety of grass you choose should depend on several factors including the amount of sun or shade your lawn receives, how much maintenance you’re willing to commit to, drought tolerance, foot traffic + more. Ideally, your soil should be prepared for seeding and over-seeded the same day. To prepare and “open” your soil, start by aerating with either an aerator or slice seeder. When seeding, it’s important to seed at the right rate. Too much seed will cause competition between seedlings which will slow the rate of growth.
Need a little help in the aerating and seeding? Give the turf pros at Heinen a call! Our seasoned experts will select just the right type of grass seed and aerating tool based on your lawn’s condition. Our turf maintenance team will even provide follow up visits to ensure healthy growth and treat any “problem spots” in your lawn that may occur over time.
Step 3: Water & Fertilize. One of the most important aspects of successful turf growth is keeping the seedbeds hydrated. The trick is ensuring you provide your new seeds with just the right amount of water as over-watering can be just as damaging as not watering at all. If staying on top of sprinklers and watering isn’t your thing, remember, the irrigation professionals at Heinen can install an automatic underground irrigation system that will ensure your new grass gets the specific amount of water it needs for successful growth.
After about four to five weeks of growth, it’s time to fertilize! The amount to lay down varies depending on color and your specific seedling’s ability to fight disease. This crucial lawn renovation step is the final key to a healthy lawn!
Ready to get growing? The turf professionals at Heinen Landscape are ready to put together a custom plan and start taking the steps this fall to bring your dream lawn to life next spring! Give Debbie a call at (913) 432-5011 to set up complimentary consultation with one of the turf pros at Heinen Landscape and Irrigation!
