Lawn Care
Grow A Lush, Green Lawn
Temperatures are warming up and it's the perfect time to give your lawn some attention, so you'll be able to enjoy lush, green lawn this season and beyond. Read on for lawn care and other helpful information about overseeding or installing SodPods®. Talk with our in-store experts to find out the best solutions to keep your lawn lush, green, and ready for play.
Spring Lawn Maintenance
- Leaves and Debris: The weather is warming up... time to head outdoors and spend some quality time with your lawn to remove leaves and debris that has accumulated over the winter season.
- Rake and Aerate: Rake to prepare the lawn for new growth and consider aerating to address soil compaction, which will allow air, water, and nutrients to get to the roots.
- Check Your Equipment: Tune up your lawn mower and ensure it is in good working order.
- Fertilize: To promote healthy growth and green blades, apply a slow-release fertilizer in early spring. Mark your calendar to apply another application of fertilizer in late spring to continue to support healthy growth and green blades.
- Stop Weeds Before They Start: Apply a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent weeds before they start. If a few weeds have already crept in, pull them now while soil is moist and the work is easy, or apply a post-emergent herbicide.
- Check for Pests: Keep your eyes open for common pests and disease. If you have questions, our garden gurus can recommend solutions.
- Irrigation: Remember to adjust your irrigation clock according to the weather. As temperatures warm up, you will need to increase irrigation run time.
Overseeding
Overseeding can be used to fill in bare patches, thicken existing grass, and improve overall lawn health:
- Dethatch your lawn prior to reseeding to remove dead roots and stems, allowing air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the soil.
- Choose a variety of grass seed that most closely matches the type of grass that you currently have, to ensure an even, uniform appearance.
- Spread 1/8″ depth of a top coat or seed cover across newly seeded areas to keep them moist while germinating. This also prevents seeds from being blown away by the wind or disturbed by birds.
- Keep the area evenly moist while the seeds are germinating.
- Wait at least a month after the seeds have sprouted to fertilize. Fertilize with Nature's Creation® Premium Lawn & Garden Fertilizer to promote deep and dense root growth.
Sod Pods®
Sod Pods® are farm fresh and 100% natural—providing a quick, simple, and cost-effective way to establish or repair turf in your yard. Each pod has been nurtured to have a fully-established root system, and they require less water than conventional sodding options. Each 18-pack covers approximately 40 square feet when planted eighteen inches apart on center.
- Prepare holes. Mow existing lawn close to the ground and water thoroughly. Dig holes 18" on center, 3" deep.
- Fertilize. Apply one teaspoon of quality, slow-release fertilizer in each hole. This fertilizer acts like a booster to prime and repair the trouble spot in advance of plugging.
- Plant plugs. Press firmly into the fertilizer-primed hole with no air space around edges. Turf runners should be flush to the ground.
- Water plugs. After area has been plugged and fertilized, water thoroughly to remove air pockets for optimal performance.
- Post plug care. Thoroughly watering every day is the key to plugging success. Keep soil moist at least 6"-8" deep. Once plugs are rooted (10-20 days), new runners should appear. Decrease watering to twice per week.
Select from two varieties of Sod Pods®:
- Zoysia grass has medium to fine blades that grow in a dense mat. Sturdy growth tolerates high traffic without signs of wear and tear.
- Palmetto St. Augustine grass blend offers vibrant green color and finely textured blades.
- Both varieties offer heat and cold tolerance that is well adapted for southern climates.
