Begin Lawn Maintenance in March ...

Weeds, insect pests, and disease can quickly turn a beautiful lawn into an eyesore.

The best defense against lawn problems is to maintain a healthy, vigorous lawn by keeping your lawn adequately fertilized, properly watered, and mowed at the correct height.

March is a great time to begin a good lawn program.

1. Apply a quality organic lawn fertilizer! Organic fertilizers are good for your grass and safe for your family, your pets, AND the environment! Andre applies Espoma Lawn Food to his lawn each spring and fall. Follow the label for application rates.
2. If weeds are a problem in your lawn, apply Espoma Organic Weed Preventer plus Lawn Food instead of the straight Espoma Lawn Food. This organic fertilizer with corn gluten meal can be applied twice a year in early spring and fall to prevent dandelions, crabgrass, and other common lawn weeds while also providing a long-lasting source of nitrogen for a lush, green lawn.
3. Test your soil pH and adjust if necessary. The pH should be adjusted now before your grass is in full active growth. The ideal soil pH for turfgrass is around 6.5. In the Shenandoah Valley, our limestone based soils are naturally alkaline and may not require a yearly application of lime - in fact, the pH may need to be lowered in some cases! It's always a good idea to have your soil tested just to be sure.
4. Are wild onions springing up everywhere? Apply a post-emergence weed killer when they are actively growing. Bayer Advanced Lawn Weed and Crabgrass Killer kills wild onion along with over 200 other lawn weeds. Read and follow the label directions - do not use when grass is emerging from dormancy and be sure it is listed for use with the type of grass in your lawn.
5. Mow high! Adjust your mower blades so that they cut the grass no lower than 3"! Grass mowed high develops extensive root systems and will shade out and compete better with broadleaf lawn weeds.
6. Water properly! Deep, slow watering (putting down 1 1/2" water each time) every 7-10 days leads to healthy lawns with deep root systems. If you have an underground sprinkler system, set it to emit a gentle rainfall over a long period of time, and not more often than once per week during dry periods. Read more about proper watering techniques ...

Grubs in the Lawn!

Right now the white grubs that damage your lawn are beginning to move up closer to the surface of the soil. From March to mid-May and in the fall when these grubs are large, products containing the active ingredient trichlorfon (Dylox) such as Bayer Advanced 24 Hour Grub Control can be applied according to the label directions.

After May, products containing imidacloprid (Merit) such as Bonide Annual Grub Beater should be applied according to the label directions. Imidacloprid is effective in controlling grubs when they are small and actively feeding. Always read and follow the label directions.