MENUThis summer has been very kind to our lawns. We’ve had plenty of moisture and very few scorching days, making it an ideal summer to grow grass. That’s a far cry from last summer when drought and heat damaged many lawns.Most homeowners repaired their lawns, or had them repaired, last fall or this spring. A few held out, hoping that Mother Nature would make the repairs. That happened for small bare spots but bigger spots didn’t fill in. If, however, you leave large, bare spots, they will fill in with weeds.After Labor Day, the days should remain warm but the nights will cool down. There should be plenty of rain, making it an ideal time to grow grass. The earlier it’s done, the more time it has to get established before going dormant for the winter.Take a small plug of sod to the garden center so they know what blend of seed you need. While there, pick up a bag of balanced fertilizer, too. The agronomists or horticulturists at the garden center should be able to advise you on the best fertilizer for the seed blend you’re planning to use.When you get home, start your lawn repair by removing any weeds that are growing in the bare spots. Rough up the soil in those spots with an iron rake. Sprinkle fertilizer and work it into the soil with the rake. Spread seed and rake it into the soil and water thoroughly. Rainfall should be adequate to keep the soil sufficiently moist for the seed to germinate. If we go a week without rain, water thoroughly as you did when you initially seeded. In a week or two, you should see little green leaves poking up through the soil.If you don’t want to go through the work of raking the dead grass, roughing up the soil, fertilizing, planting the seed, raking it into the soil and watering it in, our lawn professionals can take care of all the repairs for you.
