Lawn renovations can be an excellent addition to your property by providing a thick, lush green lawn that makes your neighbors jealous! However, regular and proper maintenance will be required post-renovation to ensure the highest quality turf. In additional, there are some potential negatives that may encounter throughout this process.
- Failure to water will result in little to no new grass germinating.
- If severe weather occurs shortly after, the chance for wash out is very possible.
- Newly germinated grass can become diseased if excessive water and humidity are present.
The Process
Day 1 – Application of multiple different herbicides to kill out any existing weeds.
- Three-Way: Focused on controlling a wide spectrum of broadleaf weeds including clover, dandelion, henbit, and much more.
- Quin-Way: Focused on controlling crabgrass along with several other common grassy weeds including wild garlic, foxtails, and barnyardgrass.
- SedgeHammer: Designed to provide the best control of nutsedge weeds.
- Natural Adjuvant: An additive that encourages the plant to uptake more nutrients and water faster than normal, leading to all-round better results.
Day 2 – This is the primary focus of the program that will occur 2-4 weeks after day 1.
- Core Aeration: Includes removing 2-3” plugs from the soil to allow for improved rooting, movement of air, water, and nutrients in the soil.
- Overseeding: Application of a premium Fescue-based grass seed at 5lb per 1,000 sq. ft. throughout the entire yard.
- Starter Fertilizer: A 14-20-4 bio-fertilizer to encourage rapid and deeper rooting of the new grass while providing nutrients for a healthy germination process.
- Organic Fertilizer: A 4-4-0 fertilizer that allows soil microorganisms to thrive and boost microbial activity for increased turfgrass density and nutrient uptake.
- CarbonPro: A premium, carbon-based soil optimizer formulated with revolutionary technology to enhance turf greening, increase nutrient uptake, and much more
- Natural Adjuvant: An additive that encourages the plant to uptake more nutrients and water faster than normal, leading to all-round better results.
- Topdress: Application of a premium turf enhancing compost to supply naturally occurring plant nutrients and soil microbes to help turfgrass thrive.
Day 3 – A bio-stimulant application to maintain optimal health of the soil and turfgrass between the renovation and winter application.
- Soil & Plant Formula: Designed to decrease stress pressure, aid in color response, extend nitrogen release rates, and add oxygen to the soil profile.
- Humic12: Application of humic acid for improved soil structure, water retention, plant quality, increased root growth, nutrient uptake and much more.
Day 4 – Final application in the program that shall occur around November to provide the lawn with nutrients for the winter months and encourage a strong spring green-up.
- Winterizer: A 12-0-0 slow release fertilizer with chelated iron to ensure the turf has enough nutrients to survive the winter and thrive in the spring.
- Natural Adjuvant: An additive that encourages the plant to uptake more nutrients and water faster than normal, leading to all-round better results.
Post Renovation Maintenance & Practices
Watering
Watering is one of, if not, the most vital aspect of growing and maintaining
a beautiful lawn. Without water there would be no grass, which means it is important to
at least know the basics.
Grass Seed: When growing new grass, the number one goal is to keep the seed
MOIST at all times. Not dry and not soaking wet, but moist. This may be a bit difficult
but will lead to a much higher germination rate, healthier seedlings, ideal growing
conditions, a thicker lawn, and faster germination. Typically, watering should occur
2-4x a day in 5-15 minute increments. Every yard is going to be different based on the
amount of sunlight and shade it receives and if there is irrigation or not. You will need
to monitor your lawn daily to ensure it stays moist throughout the day.
Maintenance
Your watering schedule should change after the first cut and
continue until winter. At this point of the year temperatures should not exceed 90°F,
which means you are aiming for 1-inch of water per week. I recommend doing this by
watering 2-3x a week at 0.33-0.5” per day. The best way to achieve this is by setting a
bowl or cup in multiple spots across the lawn during your first watering and checking
them after. Set your sprinkler for 20-30 minutes then check the amount of water in the
bowl with a ruler and calculate accordingly. Keep in mind, if your sprinklers over lap in
areas, you need to account for the additional water from the second zone.
Mowing
The biggest mistake made by most people is mowing too soon after seeding.
Your lawn will more than likely get much taller than you would like but let it be! Allow
the new turf to reach 5-6” then you cut the lawn at 4-4.5 inches. After the first few
mows, you can drop down to a minimum of 3.5” if you’d like. If watering is done
correctly, you will be able to cut it as early as two weeks but is usually 3-4 weeks. The
new grass needs time to fully develop so be patient with it and don’t rush the process,
even after the first mow.
