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
The changing leaves may look beautiful on the trees, but
they can leave an unsightly mess on your lawn and patio. What's worse, the
thick carpet can choke out your healthy grass and leave spots into the coming
months. Ask Queen City about our lawn care services, including leaf blowing and
disposal, and take your lawn back!
Talk to us about your lawn’s spring aeration services to
keep your lawn healthy and happy before summer arrives. Core aeration will
relieve soil compaction and allow a proper exchange of oxygen and nutrients to
the root system. This should be done twice a year for maximum effect, so don’t
delay!
Mulching offers several benefits for your home or commercial
property. Mulch helps to maintain moisture around plants, prevent soil erosion,
improve soil conditions, and reduces the growth of weeds in your landscaping.
Certain mulches can be used to improve the pH level of the soil to meet the
needs of specific plants. In addition to the benefits to plants and soil,
mulching creates visual appeal. In order to reap the benefits of mulch, it is
important to select the right mulch materials use proper mulching techniques.
Clay soil is very acidic. Fescue lawns do not thrive in
acidic conditions. Lime raises the pH of
the soil making it less acidic. Lime
should be done a minimum of 2 times a year.
You cannot over-lime in this area.
Despite what you have heard, Lime does not burn the grass. Lime is very beneficial and should be done
when you aerate and seed.