Turf Care

Learn the basics to turf care through step by step instructions provided by our Maintenance Foreman, Sarah Martin. Here are some additional tips from Sarah to achieving the perfect lawn: 1. Scalp your lawn, especially if you have winter rye. Lowering cutting height 1/8" or 1/4" is good even without rye to allow light into the root area. 2. Rake out thatch, or dead grass. Raking will stimulate Bermuda grass and also allows fertilizer and water to more easily reach roots. If you have a lot of turf, gas-powered thatchers can be rented at many places. 3. Poke holes in thin or bare areas to loosen up hard soil. You can also rent a gasoline powered aerators to cover larger areas. 4. Nitrogen fertilizer (often denoted by at 21-0-0 designation on the bag) will kickstart growth. Water in as directed. 5. Deep watering is better than more frequent, but shorter duration, watering. This helps roots develop. 6. Check your irrigation system to make sure that all areas of grass are getting water and heads are not broken.  7. Water in early morning or late evening for best water retention and to minimize loss due to evaporation. Do not irrigate in high wind as it blows water away from where you need it -- your lawn -- to where you don't, such as sidewalks, patios, walls...