Queen City Monthly Newsletter

Queen City Monthly Newsletter

VOLUME 6, ISSUE 10                                  OCTOBER  2016

Aeration and Seeding is so important that many articles are a repeat from September’s issue.  However, we feel strongly about not skipping Fall Services that we are re-running some of the previous articles as they still apply to October.

October is upon us and we hope you have aerated and seeded your lawn.  If you have not, you need to immediately make arrangements to complete your fall services.  Aeration and Seeding should be done 2-3 weeks before leaves and temperatures fall.  QCLL can provide these services just in time for Halloween as long as you act fast!! For the ones that have already completed their fall services, don’t forget to fertilize the new grass 5-6 weeks after seed germination.

LAWN CARE FOR OCTOBER

October is a great month for:

• AERATION/SEEDING/LIME/FERTILIZER – IF NOT ALREADY DONE!!

• Applying Peat Moss with your Aeration/Seeding/Lime/Fertilizer will do wonders

• Apply another well balanced fertilizer 4-6 weeks after seed germination

LANDSCAPING FOR OCTOBER

October is a great month for:

• Pruning

• Install or Re-design your landscape

• Pine Needles/Mulch

MOWING DURING THE SEEDING PROCESS

Before seeding a lawn, you should mow shorter than normal and remove excess clippings by bagging.  Water thoroughly the day before aeration and seeding.  After seeding, you do not need to mow for at least 14 days, even longer in some cases.  When you mow for the 1st time after seeding, mow on the highest setting and bag excessive clippings.  We will take care of QCLL mowing customers during this process.  On the week(s) we do not mow, we will trim, blow and check the progress of the seed.  We do not offer credits for not mowing as the prep cut and the subsequent cuts after seeding are much more labor intensified than a regular cut.

ASK JOE THE LANDSCAPER

Joe Morris is QCLL agronomic guru.  Once a month he answers FAQ sent in by QCLL Customers.  To submit your question for Joe, just email him at info@queencitylawn.com and he will be glad to give you his expert advice.

QCLL Customer:  I am not getting the germination that I expected?

Joe the Landscaper:  There could be many factors that cause low germination rates.  Applying too little seed, bad seed to soil contact, too little watering, too much watering/rain, and cultural practices are some of the reasons that seed could have a low germination rate.  Sometimes a seeding touch-up is needed to help low germination areas.  If QCLL provided you with aeration and seeding, please contact the office and we will be glad to perform touch-ups.

QCLL Customer:  Should I be doing anything to my shrubs right now?

Joe the Landscaper: Yes – Ornamental trees and shrubs can benefit from a fall fertilization treatment in Late October or early November.  QCLL offers that service.  --  SEE COUPON BELOW

WHY SHOULD I CORE AERATE MY LAWN?

Core aeration is a vital service to have a healthy lawn.  Fescue lawns should be aerated in the fall and early spring, where Bermuda lawns need aerated in the late spring.  We have clay soil which is the worst soil type to have.  Core aeration loosens soil compaction and allows water, air, and beneficial nutrients to get to the roots.  Core aeration is instrumental in root development in new seedlings as well as mature grass.  Never skip the opportunity to aerate your lawn.

WHY SHOULD I OVER-SEED MY LAWN IN THE FALL?

Fescue lawns require over-seeding to repair damage brought on by summer stresses.  Unlike Bermuda, Fescue is not a self-repairing grass and should be done in conjunction with fall core aeration.  You want to seed in the fall since the spring treatments have Pre- and Post- Emergent that kill seed. Watering is necessary to ensure good germination rates.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I WATER MY LAWN AFTER SEEDING

Each lawn will differ on how much water it takes to keep the seed bed moist.  You want to keep it moist without making puddles in the lawn.  This is achieved by watering multiple times a day.  Typically, we want customers to water 2 times a day for 15-20 minutes for 14 days.  This is a starting point, but you may need to adjust up or down depending on your lawn’s need.  

FALL FERTILIZER

Applying a well-balance fall fertilizer is VERY IMPORTANT when you aerate and seed.  Too many people forget this step.  Using a good fall fertilizer will enhance seed germination and provide the proper root development the young grass needs.  It is important that the lawn receives a big boost of phosphorus and nitrogen to help the seedlings along.

***The lawn will need another fertilizer treatment 4-6 weeks after the Aeration and Seeding***

OCTOBER 2016 SPECIALS:

$20 Off Pruning         

LIME $35 (Up to 8000 sqft)

$49 Tree/Shrub Fertilization up to 2000 sqft

10% off Peat Moss and Seed Application