• September

Earth Right Soil Conditioner
Double rate the 1st application 1 qt. to 5,000 sq. ft. This will break up our heavy clay soils 2 1/2 ft. deep. Grass will be able to root deeper. Then do normal rate every spring and fall 1 qt. to 10,000 sq. ft.
Hummert Long Lasting Dyna-Green Fertilizer
Broadleaf Weed Control (if needed)

• October

Hummert Winterizer Fertilizer
Broadleaf Weed Control (if needed)

• November

Hummert Winterizer Fertilizer or Hummert Winterizer w/Trimec Broadleaf Weed Control
The first weeds in the spring actually sprout in the fall during October and November. Before applying your final fall application walk around the yard. If you have a lawn with 20% or more weeds, use Hummert Winterizer with Trimec Broadleaf Weed Control.

Broadleaf Weeds -- Chickweed, Henbit, Dandelion, etc. Weed Control
Use Gordon's Speed Zone and Spreader Sticker.
Broadleaf weed controls do not prevent weeds, they control only the weeds that are actively growing at the time of spraying. I use a 2 gal. tank sprayer and spot spray when I see a weed.

For Established Lawns
September: 1 - 1 1/2" of water per week
October: 1" of water per week
November - December: 1" of water every other week

Stop watering when ground freezes solid; usually about Christmas

A good rain gauge is important!!
Grass needs 1 - 1 1/2" of rain weekly. Record weekly rainfall and water as needed. For example: if we have 1/2" of rain one week, you will need to add 1/2" of water that week.

For Established Lawns
Mowing frequency and height directly affect the health and quality of a lawn. Mowing a lawn too short or not often enough can cause water problems and even death to the grass.

• Never mow when grass blades are wet.
• Mowing height: September - 3" October/November - 2 1/2"
• Never remove more that 1/3 of the grass blade. If a mowing is missed; set the mower as high as it will go, then lower and mow again in a couple of days.
• There is no need to bag or rake grass clippings as long as the grass is mowed often. Short grass clippings decay quickly and re-cycle nutrients back to the soil.
• Use a different mowing pattern each mowing.
• Sharpen and balance mower blades every 6 to 8 mowings.
• The height for the final mowing of the season is 2". Grass that is too high during the winter can become diseased.

Seeding Dates
Fescue: August 23 to October 1 -- Bare ground seeding rate 6 - 8 lbs per 1,000 sq. ft.
Bluegrass: August 23 to October 15 -- Bare ground seeding rate 2 - 3 lbs per 1,000 sq. ft.

Very Important: Seed ASAP! Especially Fescue!
Seed planted the last week of August through the first week of September that is watered properly will germinate in 4 to 7 days. Planted after September 15 the seed will take 2 to 3 weeks for germination.

Seeding Steps

• Mow short -- 1 1/2" and be sure to bag clippings
• Verti-cut -- Two Directions. North-South then East-West
• Rake -- Remove the debris that the verti-cut brings up
• Re-mow to make sure the lawn is completely clean
• Seed -- Hummert Peageant Fescue -- 6 to 8 lbs per 1,000 sq. ft. or Hummert Best of Blues -- 2 to 3 lbs per 1,000 sq. ft.
• Hummert Starter Fertilizer
• Mushroom Stuff or Earth Right
• Water! Water! Water!

Until seed germinates evenly, water lightly every day. On hot windy days you might have to water 3 to 4 times to keep the soil moist. On cool calm days watering may be needed only once a day or once every other day. The soil should be kept evenly moist at all times but not waterlogged. After the new grass reaches 2 inches in height gradually reduce the frequency of watering and water more deeply. Start mowing after the new grass reaches a height of 3 inches. Once the new lawn has been mowed 2 to 3 times, it will need 1 inch of water a week either from rainfall or watering until the soil freezes.

October -- November -- December

Hummert Winterizer Fertilizer
Apply first application after even germination and new grass is 2 - 3 inches tall. Water immediately.
One month later apply 2nd application of Hummert Winterizer.

Broadleaf Weeds -- Chickweed, Henbit, Dandelion, etc.
Use Gordon's Speed Zone and Spreader Sticker. Broadleaf weed controls do not prevent weeds. They control only the weeds that are actively growing at the time of spraying. Use a 2 gallon tank sprayer and spot spray as you see a weed. On newly seeded lawns Speed Zone weed control can be applied after the new grass has grown tall enough to be mowed twice.

Please Note: This is to totally kill out your old lawn and start fresh!

August 1 to 15: Apply 1st application of roundup. Check 7 to 10 days later and spot spray any green still showing.
Seeding Dates: August 23 to September 20

Follow the TEN Steps listed below:

• Mow short: 1 1/2 inches and be sure to bag clippings
• Verti-cut two directions: North-South then East-West.
• Rake: Remove the debris that the verti-cut brings up.
• Re-mow to make sure the lawn is completely clean.
• Seed: Hummert Pageant Fescue - 6 to 8 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. or Hummert Best of Blues - 2 to 3 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. Hummert Starter Fertilizer
• Mushroom Stuff
• For the next 3 weeks, water every day. Then weeks 4, 5, and 6, water every other day.
• November water every 3 to 4 days.
• December water every 5 to 7 days till the soil freezes.

Please Note: This program is for warm season grasses (Zoysia and Bermuda)

March/April

Broadleaf Weeds: Clover, Dandelion, Chickweed, etc. Use Gordon's Speed Zone and Spreader Sticker. Broadleaf weed controls do not prevent weeds. They control only the weeds that are actively growing at the time of spraying. I use a 2 gal. tank sprayer and spot spray when I see a weed.

April 15/Early May

Mow lawn short: 1 - 1 1/2 inches one time only. (Do not scalp!)

May

•Hummert Long Lasting Dyna-Green Fertilizer or (if crabgrass was a problem last year) use Hummert Dimension Pre-emergent Crabgrass Control with fertilizer and apply by May 15.

•Earthright -- Soil Conditioner. Double rate the 1st application - 1 qt. 5,000 sq. ft. This will crumble clay 2 - 2 1/2 feet deep. Then apply normal rate once every spring and fall - 1 qt. 10,000 sq. ft.

June

Bayer Complete Insect Killer: Will control Chinch Bug, Ants, Fleas, Chiggers, Ticks and White Grubs.

July

Hummert Long Lasting Dyna-Green Fertilizer

August

Chinch Bug Control (if needed). Use Deltamethrin, Bifenthrin or Cyfluthrin.

SEPTEMBER THROUGH DORMANCY - CONTINUE WATERING AND MOWING

Please Note: This program is for cool season grasses (Bluegrass and Fescue)

JUNE

• If not done in May, do Hummert Long Lasting Dyna-Green Fertilizer.
• Bayer Complete Insect Killer: Will control Ants, Fleas, Chiggers, Ticks, Sodwebworms & White Grubs.

Broadleaf Weeds: Clover, Dandelion, Chickweed, etc.
Use Gordon's Speed Zone and Spreader Sticker. Do not spray when temperatures are above 85 degrees. Spray early in the morning or late in the day. Broadleaf weed controls do not prevent weeds. They control only the weeds that are actively growing at the time of spraying. I use a 2 gal. tank sprayer and spot spray when I see a weed.

Nutgrass Control:
Use Sedge Hammer (formerly Manage) and Spreader Sticker. Apply in June, July, or September. Spray only nutgrass plants when actively growing.

August

Sodwebworms, Fleas, Ticks, and Chiggers: Use Cyfluthrin or Deltamethrin when needed.

SEPTEMBER THROUGH DORMANCY - CONTINUE WATERING AND MOWING

Watering New Lawns
Lawns newly seeded, sodded or less than one year old will need to be watered every two to three days all summer long.

Watering Established Lawns
Kentucky bluegrass, fescue and other cool season grasses do not have to be watered to stay alive in the summer except during extreme drought. Cool season lawns turn brown and go dormant until cooler fall weather. During drought Apply 1 inch of water every three weeks to keep the grass crowns hydrated and in good condition.

Maintaining A Green Lawn During Summer
Lawns require 1 to 1 1/2 inches of water per week. The higher the temperature the more water will be needed.
• Only water when the lawn shows a need; such as a blue purple color, folded or rolled grass blades or a footprint that doesn't spring back.
• Water early in the day: 5am to 10am. Watering after 3pm or later can cause lawn diseases.
• Lawns in the sun will have to be watered more often than lawns in the shade.
• Apply 3/4 to 1 inch of water each watering.
• If water puddles or runs off move sprinklers more frequently.

Mowing Instructions
Mowing frequency and height directly affects the health and quality of a lawn. Mowing a lawn too short or not often enough can cause water problems and even death to the grass.
• Never mow when grass blades are wet.
• Mowing height in June, July and August is as high as the mower will go (or set) for bluegrass and fescue.
• Never remove more than 1/3 of the grass blade.
• There is no need to bag or rake grass clippings as long as the grass is mowed often. Short grass clippings decay quickly and re-cycle nutrients back to the soil. • Use a different mowing pattern each mowing.
• Sharpen and balance mower blades every 10 hours of use.