Seasonal Turf Maintenance Guide

Maintaining healthy turf is essential to the value of a home and property. The care and mantenence of turf is based upon the seasons. Each season brings with it different tasks that must be performed in order to maintain healthy turf and soil. 

Winter

Winter is the easiest time for mantenence work on turf. The cold weather stalls the growing process and mowing halts. No plants are grown outdoors in the winter. Some precautions against frost can be taken and debris can be picked up. Repairs and future tasks can be planned and prepared for. 

Spring

Spring is an important season in turf maintenance. When the season begins it is time to search the ground for signs of disease or infestation. Light mowing will help remove dead grasses and any frost damage. Coarse grasses should be removed and replaced with softer turf and soil. A light dusting of fertilizer can be applied. Weed killers are also used on problem areas in early spring. Any seeding should be done in the spring. Transplants and sodding are also best. 

Summer

Mowing occurs in full force in the summer months. If spring brought large amounts of rain, growing could be excessive. Light raking helps keep debris at bay and stimulate growth. Hot, dry summers bring about the need for watering. Keep moisture levels steady by watering in short even bursts without flooding. 

Fall

Turf maintenance slows in the fall months. Growing begins to slow and mowing is done less frequently. The use of any chemical weed killers or pest control should stop. Leaves, twigs and debris become an issue. Frequent raking can help. A final soaking with an organic fertilizer mixture is good preparation for the impeding cold season. Aeration is beneficial in the fall, as is reseeding is also done in fall.