April is National Lawn Care Month

April is National Lawn Care Month

In recognition of spring, the Professional Lawn Care Association of America (PLCAA) has designated April as National Lawn Care Month.

As spring arrives, 30 million acres of turf across the nation is turning green and growing. PLANET (Professional Landcare Network) observes the importance of lawns and their aesthetic and environmental benefits during National Lawn Care Month each April. Please share these facts …

• Well cared for lawns can significantly increase property values.

• A healthy lawn is of utmost importance to our environment. A 50–foot by 50–foot lawn produces enough oxygen for a family of four.

• Lawns cool the atmosphere. Eight healthy front lawns have the cooling effect of 70 tons of air conditioning, which is enough for 16 average homes.

• Grass converts carbon dioxide to oxygen, a process that helps clear the air.

• Dense, healthy grass slows water runoff, removing contaminants and trap-ping soil. Fresh, filtered water returns to the underground water supply.

Be proactive in April and use a lawn care program that will ensure both a healthy and beautiful lawn throughout the year.
http://www.landcarenetwork.org/cms/home.html

The Benefits of a Well–Maintained Lawn and Landscape.

A well–maintained lawn and landscape can be environmentally–friendly and provide substantial ecological and community benefits in the following ways. ▬

• A well–maintained lawn and landscape can act as a valuable green space in the urban environment.
• A well–maintained lawn and landscape can act as a cleanser of dust and other air of pollutants.
• A well–maintained lawn and landscape can act as a contributor in solving so–called climate change.
• A well–maintained lawn and landscape can act as a cushion that minimizes injuries if someone falls.
• A well–maintained lawn and landscape can act as a filter for pollutants originating from rain water.
• A well–maintained lawn and landscape can act as a habitat for thousands of species of birds and other wildlife.
• A well–maintained lawn and landscape can act as a heat–dissipater for cooling the atmosphere, just like an air conditioner.
• A well–maintained lawn and landscape can act as an offsetter of carbon emissions.
• A well–maintained lawn and landscape can act as a preventer of soil and water run–off.
• A well–maintained lawn and landscape can act as a recharger of moisture in the atmosphere.
• A well–maintained lawn and landscape can act as a recreational site for children and adults alike.
• A well–maintained lawn and landscape can act as a reducer of noise and sun glare.
• A well–maintained lawn and landscape can act as a regulator of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases.
• A well–maintained lawn and landscape can act as a stabilizer for preventing soil erosion and flooding.
• A well–maintained lawn and landscape can be used to reclaim and restore environmentally–damaged sites, such as landfills.
• A well–maintained lawn and landscape can significantly contribute to property value improvement.

If you have a lawn/tree/shrub that needs some Tender Loving Care- get The KING OF GREEN:

Turf King Home

Click here to Request a Quote Online -

or call us at 905.318.6677 or 1.888.TURFKING (887.3546)

If you would like more information, please Contact us

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Copyright 2009 Turf King-Hamilton. All Rights Reserved.

Time to Plan for Grass Seeding

Seeding a Lawn
Now is the time to start planning for seeding your lawn.

When to Seed?
• Apply seed in Spring when soil temperature reaches 15°C (60°F) - Ideally April to mid June
• Best time for maximum germination is mid August to mid September when soil is warm and the nights are cool.
• If you have spread grass seed in the early spring, it will not germinate until the soil temperature reaches about 15°C (about 59°F).

Why Overseed?
A thick healthy lawn is the best defense against weeds, disease, drought and insect damage. Over-seeding can quickly repair a lawn that is thin and patchy from
• Winter Damage.
• Damage from Drought and Extreme Heat.
• Damage from Grubs, Chinch Bugs and other insects.
• Introduction of a new variety of grass.

Total Lawn Renovation
In some cases the entire lawn may be beyond salvation. This could be due to: the majority of the lawn is dead, undesirable grass species, damaged from construction, etc.
• If required apply a total weed and grass killer to kill off any unwanted weeds and grass.

Soil Preparation
The amount of preparation will greatly affect the final results.
• Remove dead grass and debris.
• Roughen area with a stiff rake to loosen soil.
• Apply 3-5 cm of good quality top soil, Triple Mix or Compost.

Starter Fertilizer
• Spread a Lawn Starter Fertilizer over the area (follow package directions).
• Rake soil level to a final grade.

Applying Seed
• Apply at rate listed on grass seed bag.
• For small areas apply seed by hand.
• For larger areas use a fertilizer spreader, apply in two passes using half the rate of application per pass - one at right angles to the other in a crisscross pattern for complete coverage.
• Use a low spreader setting. You should see approximately 2-3 seeds in a square inch (approximately 2.5 x 2.5 cm).
• Using an empty lawn roller to press the seed in to the soil or raking lightly with a leaf rake.
• Grass seed needs soil contact to germinate and should be covered by no more than 7mm (¼") of soil (If the seed is buried any deeper than this, it will have trouble emerging from the soil. Burying the seed is a common reason for poor lawn establishment.)

Watering
• The most important thing you can do now is to ensure that the lawn receives enough water.
• Keep the lawn moist for the first two weeks. You don't need a lot of water – about 15 minutes with an average sprinkler each day will work. You want to keep the first few centimeters (half an inch) moist.
• Watering in the early morning or the evening works best.
• Use a fine spray so as not to disturb the seedbed.

Next Steps
• During the first few weeks, keep as much traffic off the seedbed as possible. The tender, emerging shoots of grass will not withstand much wear and tear.
• Once the grass has grown up to 3-4 inches (8-10 cm), you can begin cutting it. This should be after about 4 weeks of growth.
• If you need to apply weed control wait until at least 6 weeks after seeding.
• After 6 weeks fertilize with a premium slow release lawn fertilizer.
• If you have a few patches that aren't as thick as the rest, they may not have received enough seed. Don't be afraid to overseed these areas. The longer they stay bare, the more likely that weeds will encroach onto your lawn.
Adapted from http://www.grass-seed.ca/

If you have a lawn/tree/shrub that needs some Tender Loving Care- get The KING OF GREEN:

Turf King Home

Click here to Request a Quote Online -

or call us at 905.318.6677 or 1.888.TURFKING (887.3546)

If you would like more information, please Contact us

Follow us on Twitter  http://twitter.com/turfkingofgreen

Join our Facebook page  

http://www.bit.ly/FacebookTK

Copyright 2009 Turf King-Hamilton. All Rights Reserved.