Turf Tips

Vole Control, January, 2012

If you see strange patterns in your snow covered lawn or discovered tunnels through your grass blades, you may have Voles. The most effective control is to remove the snow from the lawn and they will retreat. If the problem is extreme, mouse traps can be placed in the tunnels or near burrow holes. To repair tunnel damage in your lawn, rake up the dead grass, fertilize with 20-20-10 and water the effected areas early in spring. This will help the bare areas re-grow from the roots deep in your lawn and it will fill in. Also see our blog  for more information.

Snow! December, 2011

Enjoy the snow that is covering your lawn! We have good snow cover here in Littleton this month. New sod and established lawns in the Denver metro area love being covered with snow during the winter.

Fall Watering? November, 2011

It has been a dry, warm month. Lawns sodded this year will need a little water due to wind and warm temperatures. If your new lawn looks dry, a short watering will help keep the crown (or base) of the grass blade hydrated. If you have winterized your sprinkler system, use a garden hose and hand water areas of you lawn that look dry for 5 minutes. A little water will go a long way this time a year and protect your lawn from drying out this winter.

Not Too Late to Fertilize, October 2011

If you missed fertilizing your lawn this fall, it’s not too late to feed your newly sodded lawn or established yard. If your lawn needs some help, use our GVT 20-20-10 lawn fertilizer. If you grass is looking good, use our GVT 20-5-5 Slow Release lawn fertilizer. It’s fall, get your lawn ready for the winter and feed it. It has been dry so water your grass if you new sod or lawn looks dry.

Feed Your Lawn, Winterize Your New Sod, September 2011

Fertilizer your lawn! Just like a bear, your grass needs to bulk up this fall and store nutrients for the winter. If your lawn has not been fertilized this season or you have a new sod yard, fall fertilization will benefit your turf the most. Bluegrass fills in and spreads in the fall when the temperatures cool down. If your lawn needs some help, use our 20-20-10 fertilizer for fast results. If you grass is looking good, try our 20-5-5 Slow Release lawn fertilizer. Its fall, fertilizer your newly sodded lawn or established grass in Denver this September and get it ready for winter.

The Heat is On! More Brown Spots, August 2011

If brown spots start appearing in your new sod or existing lawn, you need to increase your watering time or try hand watering smaller areas. This is very common when temperatures increase 10 to 20 degrees and get into the high 90’s. Hand watering is a great way to combat dry or brown spots during high heat time. Nurse these areas back with a little extra water applied with a hose or a bucket if the areas are small.

Brown or Dry Spots, June 2011

If brown spots start appearing in your new sod or existing lawn, you need to increase your watering. Also, check sprinkler heads for clogged nozzles and hand water these areas to bring the grass back. This is a very common when the temperatures increase 10 to 20 degrees and get into the high 90’s.

Mushrooms, July 2011

Finding mushrooms in your lawn is a sign your yard is too wet. This is common in newly sodded lawns when the weather cools down and it rains. If mushrooms show up, back the water off a little bit. If you are getting rain on your grass, turn off the sprinkler system. Once your lawn starts drying up, turn the system back on.

Lawn Aeration, May 2011

Aeration is a great spring practice for many reasons. Aeration opens up the ground and allows air to get into the root system. Your lawn and soil need air to stay healthy and thrive. Aeration also helps get water and fertilizer deep into your root system. It reduces soil compaction and helps control thatch in your yard. Aerate, fertilize, and water

Fertilizer, April 2011

Early April is a great time to fertilizer your lawn. This will help it fill in quicker once it comes out of dormancy and promote root growth. This also helps with quicker spring green up. With these seasonal high temperatures we have been experiencing with little snow or rain, your yard may need watering, especially if your yard is less then 2 years old.

Is Your Sod Less Than a Year Old? April 2011

If you have a new lawn that is less than a year old, be sure to start watering in April. It takes a new yard more than a year to establish a deep root system. A little water goes a long way this time of year and it will really help your new sod get ready for the summer heat.

Check Your Irrigation, Late March 2011

Now it is time to fire up your sprinkler system. With temperatures in the 60's and high winds in the Denver area, sod, grass, plants and trees are drying out. If you have new sod from last year, now is the time to water. Lawns that are a year or less old have a shallower root system. Spring is a great time to grow those roots down. A little water now will help thicken up your yard and help the root systems grow deeper.

Sod Early, Beat the Mud, March 2011

The last two weeks in March are historically very wet weeks due to snow and rain. If you are tired of mud and want to install sod soon, plan on late February or early March. This is a great time to put your lawn in and take advantage of the free spring moisture.