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The best time to dethatch your lawn is when it’s actively growing and the soil is moderately moist. For cool-season grasses, that’s early spring or early fall. For warm-season grasses, dethatch in late spring through early summer (after the second mowing). That’s when your grass is growing most vigorously.

When should I cut my lawn in Maryland?

Why Your Yard Grass Requires Mowing to November – Your turfgrass will keep growing until soil temperatures dip below 45°F consistently. Then, your Parkville or Perry Hall turf will stop growing until next spring. Maryland yards have cool season grasses that grow rapidly in cooler temperatures, such as in early spring and fall.

• So, your yard needs regular mowing—sometimes every week—until growing stops in late fall.
• As the temperatures decrease, we increase the amount we cut your lawn each time we mow it for you in the fall.
• At Ground Control Lawn Care, we’ll gradually lower our mowing decks to cut your grass shorter.
• When we cut your lawn grass for the last time for the season, we’ll take off 2″.

We don’t scalp your lawn, but we do cut it shorter.

When should I overseed my lawn in Maryland?

When to Overseed – Fall is the best time to overseed; ideally 45 days before the first frost. Cooler days and shorter nights are best for germination of grass seeds, and grass survival. If necessary, overseeding can be done in spring or summer, but limit it to a small area and provide extra care, especially for larger areas. Grass with dead patches in need of overseeding. Photo by srckomkrit, 123RF

When should I fertilize my lawn in Maryland?

To prevent runoff, fertilizer should only be applied to lawns when the grass is actively growing. Fertilize warm season grasses (Bermudagrass and Zoysiagrass) in late spring or summer and cool season grasses (fescues, bluegrass) in fall, based on soil test results. Do not exceed single and yearly application limits.

Is it too early to cut grass in March?

The lawn care and mowing calendar is not the same in Aberdeen as it is in York and it’s different again in Brighton. I’m used to the climate in Yorkshire so here is the Lawnsmith ‘Yorkshire Mowing Calendar’. If you are in Aberdeen you’ll be running a week or two behind in the spring and a week or two ahead in autumn.

• The reverse will be true for those basking in Brighton! March Growth will be starting in spring so start your lawn mowing with a high cut on preferably dry grass if possible.
• April Sometime this month as temperature and growth increases frequency will increase with 2weeks then 10 days then perhaps down to weekly mowing.

May & June Mow frequently during this time; weekly if possible. You can also lower the cutting height but I wouldn’t go below about 4cm (1.5″) unless you’re wanting more work than necessary. July & August

If dry, growth will slow but do mow at least every two weeks If hot and dry: as above but raise the mowing height If moisture levels are good mow as for May & June

September The autumn rains make the end of August and September a good growing time so mow frequently. You can also lower the cut if you raised it for the summer but if your lawn is prone to moss you want to be raising the mowing height not lowering it.

October Mowing will all but finish so raise the cut to winter height. November More than likely the last regular cut of the year. If you have a rotary mower use it on a dry lawn to suck up autumn leaves. Winter Lawn Mowing A light high cut (topping) at any time to keep the lawn looking smart is in order.

There is no reason to have a ‘scruffy’ looking lawn for one third of the year. The soil should be on the firm side and definitely not soft. Squeegee (see How to Mow Wet or Long Grass ) the grass if it is wet. Do not mow on a frosty lawn or if frost/freezing due within 24 hours of mowing.

Should I start mowing in April?

How Tall is the Grass? – Give your spring grass a chance to develop strong, healthy roots. This means waiting until it’s at least 2 inches tall before mowing. Even then, stick to the rule of not taking off more than a third of its length so that it doesn’t die before it’s had a chance to develop.

Can you throw grass seed on top of lawn?

Overseeding can help you get back to the thick, lush, green lawn you’ve always wanted. By spreading grass seed over your existing lawn, you can thicken up the thin areas, and your lawn will start to look terrific again. (This is different from reseeding, which is when you start over and plant a completely new lawn.)

Can I plant grass seed in March in Maryland?

Time is good for planting grass Q. Is it too early to plant grass seed? I have a few bare areas from last year’s drought.A. Late February through the end of March is the second-best time to plant grass; the best time is late August through October. Early spring seeding will help give your new grass a head start on weeds.

Remove leaves and other debris and rake the soil smooth. Spread tall fescue seed evenly at a rate of 3-4 pounds per 1,000 square feet, and then gently rake and walk on the area to ensure good seed-to-soil contact. Lightly cover the areas with straw and water daily.Q. I need to buy some topsoil for raised beds I’m building for a flower and vegetable garden.

How can you tell good topsoil from bad? A. There are no regulations in Maryland that set standards for topsoil sales. Ask the seller for references and try to find out about the soil’s history. Where did it come from, what tests were done on it, what is the pH, what has been added to it? It’s best to examine the soil before buying it.

It should be dark and crumbly with a good, earthy smell. Reject any soils that smell bad, have grayish mottling or are very chalky in texture. Some sellers mix topsoil with leaf compost, creating an improved growing medium for plants.Q. My aging aunt has asked me to come over and prune some neglected blueberry bushes.

My usual approach in these cases is to cut the plant down to the ground. Will blueberries come back with vigor if pruned all the way back? A. They would come back, but selective pruning is a better approach. Thin out (remove down to the crown) all canes that are old and un-productive.

• These will be gray in color with peeling bark.
• Also remove canes growing into the middle of the plant, those that are diseased and damaged, and weak shoots that emerge this spring.
• The goal is to have a mixture of approximately 16 canes ranging in age from 1 year up to 8 years old.
• Spread 1/2 pound of ammonium sulfate fertilizer evenly around each bush, and keep them well-watered through the growing season.Q.

Are there any good tricks to growing early tomatoes in our area? When I’ve tried planting a month early the tomatoes seem to ripen the same as when I plant in mid-May.A. First, select early season cultivars that are supposed to ripen 55 to 65 days after transplanting.

1. There are numerous early cultivars from Russia and Eastern Europe that are beginning to appear in seed catalogs.
2. The other important key to early tomatoes is warming the soil where the roots grow and the air where the plant grows.
3. Lay down black plastic mulch two to three weeks before planting to warm the soil.

After planting, surround the transplants with some type of plastic enclosure open at the top. A tomato cage surrounded by clear plastic sheeting works well. Fill plastic soda bottles with water and line them inside the cage close to the plants. The water will heat up in the day and release the heat at night.

Be prepared to throw a quilt over the cage on nights when the temperature dips into the 30s. Wall-O- Water is a commercially available plant protector that has produced good results for local tomato gardeners. THIS WEEK’S CHECKLIST 1. Clean out nesting boxes for song birds or install new ones.2. Hold newly bought bare-root shrubs, trees and fruit plants in a cool, well-ventilated area until they can be transplanted.

Keep their roots moist at all times.3. Plant seed potato pieces that are certified disease-free. Space them 12 inches apart in a row. Be patient; it sometimes takes one to two weeks before shoots emerge. Garden tips are provided by the Home and Garden Information Center of the Maryland Cooperative Extension.

Is April too early to fertilize?

Timing: Apply early spring lawn fertilizer once between February and April, when your grass is starting to green up and begin to actively grow (around the time your lawn first needs to be mowed).

When should I lime my lawn in Maryland?

Lime and Lawns An example of a bag of pelletized dolomitic limestone to help correct soil pH and add magnesium to the soil Photo: Andrew Koeser, International Society of Arboriculture, Bugwood.org Liming is an important step in maintaining a healthy lawn.

Types of lime to apply to a lawn:

Agricultural limestone or “Ag lime” is a finely granulated calcitic limestone. The finer the grind or mesh size, the more readily it will act to raise soil pH. Powdered lime is faster acting but messier to apply than pelletized lime. Pelletized lime is very similar to ground ag lime but easier to apply in this pellet form. Dolomitic lime also contains calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate. Recommended for raising pH on low magnesium soils. Burnt or hydrated lime should not be used on lawns. They are too caustic.

The optimum pH for turf growth is 6.0 to 6.8. If the pH level falls below 5.5, turf growth will be compromised. Soils in Maryland have a tendency to become acidic over time and a should be performed every three to four years to check the pH. Soil test results will provide a liming recommendation when necessary. If more than 50 lbs. of limestone per 1,000 sq. ft. is recommended, the amount should be split in to two applications. For example, if 85 lbs. is needed, apply 50 lbs. immediately then wait six months to apply the remaining 35 lbs. Limestone should be applied with a lawn spreader. To attain uniform coverage, apply half of the lime in an east-west direction and the remainder in a north-south direction. Lime can be applied any time, but the ideal time is in the fall. The freezing and thawing of the soil over the winter will help to incorporate the lime into the ground. It is not recommended to apply lime on snow or frost-covered turf. Incorporate the recommended amount of lime (according to soil test results) into the soil before starting a new lawn or major renovation.

: Lime and Lawns

Should I fertilize or grass first?

What is the difference between grass seeds, there are so many choices in the stores aren’t they all the same? Grass seed is not created equal. This is an important concept to keep in mind as you shop for grass seed. In addition to selecting the grass seed variety (fescue, ryegrass, Kentucky Blue grass, etc.), you will want to purchase grass seed that is bred for disease and insect resistance as well as drought tolerance.

• Always purchase the best quality grass seed, not only will it outperform regular grass seeds, it will be weed free and produce a healthier, thick lush lawn.
• All GreenView Fairway Formula Grass Seeds are top quality grass seed which are specially bred for disease and insect resistance and drought tolerance.

What is the best species of turfgrass to grow where I live? Turfgrasses are divided up into cool season or warm season grasses. The cool season grasses grow well in the cooler regions of the northern United States and grow best in temperatures from 65 deg.F.

• To 75 deg.F.
• Warm season grasses are adapted to the warm and humid climates of the southern United States, growing best at temperatures between 80 deg.F.
• And 95 deg.F.
• There is a transition zone where both cool season and warm season grasses can co-exist.
• To determine the type of turfgrass that will thrive where you live refer to the U.S.

National Arboretum website, How soon after applying fertilizer can I plant grass seed? You can plant grass seed immediately after applying fertilizer. Please make sure there is no weed preventer in the fertilizer, as this will also prevent the grass seed from germinating.

Is it ok to plant grass seed immediately after spreading weed and feed fertilizer? Most weed and feed fertilizers contain a herbicide that prevents seed germination, so it is recommended to wait until your new grass is well established and you have mowed it a minimum of 4 times (usually 6 to 8 weeks) before applying a weed and feed fertilizer.

Do I have to reseed dead patches in my lawn or will it grow back? Dead grass will not regrow; you will need to reseed dead patches of grass. We suggest you first make sure disease or insects are not the cause of the dead patches of grass. Reseeding will not eliminate disease or insect problems.

GreenView offers a full line of problem solvers for diseases, fungus, and insects in your lawn. Do I need a mulch or seed starter when planting new grass? We recommend using a superior mulch product. GreenView Fairway Formula Seeding Success be used when planting new grass. The product holds in moisture to help germination and applies a starter fertilizer for establishing the grass plant.

Should I use straw to cover my newly planted grass seed? We do not recommend using straw as mulch for grass seed, as the straw may contain weed seeds that will germinate along with the grass seeds. Should I use a fertilizer when planting a new lawn? Yes, we recommend a starter fertilizer when planting a new lawn.

GreenView Fairway Formula Seeding Success offers the best combination of mulch and starter fertilizer for newly planted grass. Do I apply the fertilizer before seeding or after? Apply the fertilizer before seeding. When is the best time to plant a new lawn? Spring and fall are the best times to plant a new lawn.

Do I really need to water the areas where I have planted grass seed to have it grow? Grass seed needs to be in contact with the soil and have moisture in order to germinate. You will have better germination rates if you keep the grass seed moist (not saturated).

What can I do to my lawn in February?

General maintenance – Turf can be laid, provided the soil is not too wet or frosty. Work from planks, to avoid compacting the soil. Do not walk on the newly laid turf and leave undisturbed for several weeks to allow new roots to establish. If the weather is warm, you may need to start mow,

Can I seed a lawn in March?

For best results, lawn seed should be sown in spring (from March to May) or early autumn (September to mid October), when the soil is moist and warm. Before laying a new lawn, take some time to think about the part it will play in your overall garden layout.

What month should you start cutting the grass?

When to mow your lawn depending on the season – Mowing is normally performed between March and October, however, depending on the weather (whether it’s mild), might continue throughout winter as well. Yet, bear in mind the starting date for mowing will depend on local conditions and won’t always start in March.

Perform the first grass cut of the year in spring, around mid-March. From there on, mow the lawn at least once every week. Try to keep your grass’ height the same all throughout spring. For most lawns the ideal height would be 2.5-4cm (1-1.5in). However, for those that take a lot of wear and tear, strive to keep their grass raised at around 5cm (2in) in height.

If a part of your lawn is covered by shade, maintain the grass at a height of 7.5cm (3in). Also, avoid mowing your grass too short as that can weaken it and allow weeds and moss to run rampant. When summer comes creeping in around the corner, double the frequency of your mowing.

1. Mow your lawn bi-weekly(twice a week) on average, only dropping to weekly, during periods of drought.
2. As for the mower settings, raise your mower blades a little during hot weather.
3. Longer grass copes better with drought and keeps its colors more vibrant.
4. It’s also stronger and is less prone to wear and tear.

In weeks of drought nip off only a few stalks of longer grass, to stimulate its growth and to keep it nice and healthy. With the days growing shorter and temperatures getting colder, grass will begin to grow slower. This means that the lawn will need less mowing, less frequently.

So when autumn comes around, do the same as in spring, mow your lawn, once a week. However, be sure to raise the height of your mower blades as winter approaches. Autumn is usually the season during which you will perform your last cut. Mowing the lawn in winter isn’t usually necessary unless the weather is warm and the grass still growing.

If this is the case, it might need the occasional mow, but only on a high cut setting. However, avoid doing this if the ground conditions are too soft or frozen. Never mow grass which is wet or frosty, as this can compact the soil and harm your turf. Wait until after the lawn has dried to perform mowing.

What month Should I cut my grass?

5. Don’t leave it too late – Although the difference in climate can vary depending on where you are in the country, research has shown that the first two weeks in April are the most popular time to dig the lawnmower out for the first grass cut of the year. Billy Currie Photography Getty Images

How early is it OK to mow the lawn?

How Early Should You Mow Your Lawn During the Weekend? – Revive Lawn Care Products So it’s Saturday morning, and you woke up earlier than usual. The lawnmower is close by, and you’re thinking this might be the best time to mow your lawn, get a bit of fresh air and start the day in with an active and upbeat attitude. But what’s the right time to do it? Experts are fairly sure that mowing your lawn too early could be pretty bad – for a number of reasons. Mowing before 8 AM can make you have to deal with the wet, dewy grass, and your mower will definitely not enjoy that. It could even produce clumps and unsightly tracks, and it could also be damaged when a larger portion of the clumpy grass gets stuck in it.

• Most gardeners will agree that the earliest time you can safely mow your lawn is around 8-9 AM.
• That’s because at this time the grass has already dried, and it will typically be standing tall already.
• Mowing the lawn during these hours will leave your grass looking shiny and appealing, and the entire process will be very smooth, easy and fast.

So you don’t have to wait for the later hours of afternoon (and even evening in the summer), when the temperature starts to go down and you can consider mowing your lawn. In the evening you can apply organic revive products from to ensure a healthy vibrant lawn.