Lawn care guide

Essential lawn care practices

Core aeration

Core Aeration

Aeration consists of making holes in the lawn using a tool that removes small plugs of soil.

Does my lawn need core aeration?

When the soil becomes too compact, it is more difficult for the roots to grow, and the lack of space hinders the growth of the grass.

You may also need aeration if:
  • Your land is difficult to drain
  • If it does not resist heat (turns yellow when the temperature rises)

To determine if your soil is too compact: Push a pencil at a depth of 10 to 15 cm into your damp lawn. If it is difficult to do, your lawn needs core aeration.

Why aeration?

The aeration of the core allows:
  • Reduction of soil compaction and helps in the decomposition of the felt (stubble)
  • Deep rooting of the turf
  • Rapid infiltration of water into the soil
  • Cooling of the soil during periods of heat (better resistance to drought)
  • The distribution of fertilizers in the soil
  • Improvement of drainage in the case of clay soils

TRYLAWN recommends core aeration of the lawn at least once a year.

Top soil, top dressing, seeding

TOP DRESSING

It is the addition directly on the lawn of a thin layer of compost, black earth, peat moss, sand (alone or mixed, depending on the type of soil).

Does my lawn need top dressing?

  • If you have never done top dressing / top soiling
  • If your last top dressing was done more than 5 years
  • If you can not get a good looking, healthy lawn despite good maintenance and regular watering
  • If your soil is poor, acidic or clayey

You probably need a layer of top soil.

Why apply top soil?

Top dressing...
  • Gradually improves soil quality
  • Repairs damaged areas and fills in collapsed areas
  • Increases the density of the lawn
  • Stimulates the decomposition of organic matter and microbial activity

The thickness of this layer varies according to your needs. The effect will be visible as soon as the grass starts growing again with a greener, more vigorous and healthy lawn.

The potting soil is composed of a mixture of compost, black earth, peat moss, sand (depending on the type of soil).

Top Dressing steps:
  • Core aeration of your lawn
  • Application of potting soil (by shovel or mechanically)
  • Pass the rake to lower the soil at the base of the stems of the lawn
  • Seeding, if your lawn needs to be renovated or if it lacks density (sparse)

A healthy lawn is more resistant to insects, diseases and temperature changes!

TRYLAWN recommends lawn top dressing at least once a year, in the spring or early summer.

Liming of the lawn

Liming

Liming consists of applying an agent (calcium, lime) to restore the soil's pH (reduce the level of acidity).

Does my lawn need liming?

  • If small mosses or algaes grow in your lawn
  • If weeds are taking over
  • If insect pests breed quickly
  • If the application of fertilizer gives no result

You probably need to add calcium to your lawn.

When the soil becomes too acidic or too alkaline, the grass cannot absorb all the minerals it needs. Inadequate pH also undermines the structural stability of the soil, promotes fungal diseases and poses a threat to the survival of many beneficial organisms.

Generally, lawn grows better in a relatively neutral soil (pH between 6.5 and 7).

Why liming?

Liming (application of calcium)...
  • Reduces (or balances) the level of soil acidity (pH)
  • Helps rooting the grass strands
  • Increases the effectiveness of fertilizers
  • Allows the growth of soil microorganisms
  • Decreases the appearance or slows the growth of weeds in a natural way

TRYLAWN can includea soil test for calcium needs.

Grass Fertilization

Fertilization

Fertilization is about providing your lawn with the nutrients it needs, which the soil cannot fill.

Does my lawn need fertilizer?

If your lawn
  • Is pale green, has blades of yellowed grass all over its surface
  • Grows very slowly
  • Has a low density

It probably needs fertilizer.

Why fertilization?

Fertilizer application allows the grass to grow more freely, quickly, and occupy more space with its roots, thus naturally reducing the space available for weeds.

A healthy lawn is more resistant to insect infestation.

Why use a 100% natural fertilizer?

The disadvantages of chemical fertilizers:

Chemical fertilizers do not stimulate the biological life of the soil, because the nutrients they release are immediately assimilated by plants. They can even be harmful for beneficial soil microorganisms

- Since chemical fertilizers are soluble salts, their exclusive and repeated use can lead to soil salinity problems

- Risks of pollution and root burn are higher with chemical fertilizers

Benefits of using natural fertilizers:

- Prevents the emergence of over-fertilization problems, such as stubble build-up, as natural fertilizers are released slowly by the action of soil micro-organisms and thus last longer than chemical fertilizers

- Prevents watercourse pollution, because natural fertilizers are not drained by rainwater

- Allows to preserve the soil quality

TRYLAWN uses fertilizers that are chemical and pesticide-free, safe for humans and animals, approved by Health Canada and Quebec municipal standards and relies on Crystal Green, a phosphorus fertilizer that acts gradually.

Application pf mycorrhizes

Application pf mycorrhizes

Mycorrhizae are fungi living in symbiosis with the roots of your lawn. Mycorrhizae stimulate leaf growth, especially in poor soils, as the fungus retains moisture for longer and thus allows better water and nutrient uptake by the roots.

Does my lawn need mycorrhizae?

If your lawn

  • Packs easily and / or erodes easily
  • Is susceptible to diseases and discolouration
  • Tolerates drought periods badly

It probably needs mycorrhizae.

Why the application of mycorrhizae?

The application of mycorrhizae...
  • Taking of the lawn and its survival during sowing (better root development)
  • Improves tolerance to drought, reducing watering
  • Optimizes the use of fertilizers
  • Reduces the appearance of diseases
  • Contributes to maintaining soil quality and nutrient cycling
  • Contributes to the control of soil erosion
  • Offers better resistance to compaction

The application of mycorrhizae is included in the basic annual maintenance plan of TRYLAWN

BEST LAWN TIPS

Watering of the lawn tips

Watering the lawn

(every 10 days if there is no rain).

  • Promotes deep rooting of the lawn, making it more resistant
  • Reduces stress from insect attacks especially during drought
  • Excessive and systematic watering of the lawn can make it susceptible to various diseases

A lawn that lacks water goes dormant, that is, it stops growing. The leaves and stems of grasses die and become yellowish, but the underground parts (rhizomes and roots) remain alive until the return of rainy weather. A lawn will be green and dense throughout the summer, and less susceptible to trampling, weed invasion and insect infestations, if properly irrigated.

mowing the lawn tips

Mowing the lawn

Adjust the mower blade to a cutting height of 8 cm (3 ") throughout the summer.

  • Prevents the invasion of weeds, because less light reaches the ground
  • Keeps soil moisture and makes the lawn less vulnerable to chinch bugs
  • Prevents clutching of June beetles (white worms) that prefer mowed lawns
  • Allows the lawn to be more productive and thus to stock up on its roots, which will allow it to better withstand the attacks of pests
  • Slows the growth of the lawn
  • Never mow after a rain; the grass must be dry, otherwise the branches will lie down and are shredded by the blades.

Cut the lawn to 5 cm during the first cut in the spring and also during the last cut in the fall.

Increase the density of the lawn by stimulating the activity of the side shoots of the lawn

  • Increase the density of the lawn by stimulating the activity of the side shoots of the lawn
  • A cut at 5 cm at the beginning of the season stimulates the growth of grasses; at the end of the season, it prevents the development of diseases

Leave grass clippings on the ground

  • Helps prevent weeds as less light reaches the ground
  • Protects the soil from drought by preserving moisture
  • Becomes a natural nitrogen fertilizer
  • Also, change your path with each mowing so that the cut grass does not accumulate at the same place

Sharpen the blade of your lawn mower once a year, in the spring, to help heal the grass, and if you have to choose, a mower with a chipper blade allows the leftover turf to decompose more quickly.