5 August Lawn Care Tips

We are right in the middle of the dog-days of summer, but now’s the time to look ahead to fall and get ready. It’s the perfect time to think about next year’s lawn and how to give it a great start. Our lawn care experts at Nutri-Lawn Ottawa have put together a short list of things homeowners can do in August to ensure their lawn has a great fall and even better spring and summer next year.

Dethatch and Core Aeration

Take a quick inventory around your lawn and yard. Are there areas in your lawn prone to fungus, mold, or rodents? Thatch is one reason you might have these issues with your lawn. Nutri-Lawn Ottawa offers a de-thatching and core aeration service that is best done in late August because your lawn will need about four weeks of optimal growth to recover.

Mow High

Keep your mower on the tallest setting through August as the heat will cause a lot of stress on your lawn. Keeping the grass a little longer during this hot month may help it stay green longer because the plants will be able to retain more moisture and shelter the soil. Recycling your grass clippings also helps fertilize your lawn and retain moisture in the soil.

Seed and Fertilize

Will you need to reseed or overseed any areas of your lawn in late August? Now is the time to source or order that seed. You’ll want to reseed in late summer or early fall so that grass seed has a chance to sprout during ideal growing conditions in fall for a great start next year. Give your lawn the best start possible next spring by fertilizing in late summer or early fall. This is especially beneficial after core aeration and dethatching is done. Nutri-Lawn Ottawa offers a variety of fertilizer options from organic options to traditional products.

Grub Control

Grubs can be one of the most difficult lawn pests to get rid of. Grubs are white or yellowish and have plump C-shaped bodies. The most common grubs in Canada are the larvae of the native June bug which has a 3 year maturation period. The first year those grubs are most active in August and early September. Grubs love grass roots. Often, one of the first signs of a grub problem with be starlings and blackbirds feeding on your lawn. You may find skunks and other predators hunting the grubs near the surface of the lawn.

The best way to get rid of grubs is to have a healthy lawn. Aerate, dethatch, fertilize, and overseed to help your lawn resist and tolerate grubs. Nematodes are a microscopic worm which eat grubs at the larva stage. Ask us about this earth-friendly option for controlling a grub infestation.

Plan Ahead

Winston Churchill wisely warned that if you fail to plan you plan to fail. Fall is a really great time to repair your lawn. Whatever is causing damage, fall’s lower temperatures and higher rainfall will help your lawn recover and store energy for a great spring and summer next year. Many homeowners wait until spring to repair their lawn, but the cool season grasses favoured in Canada respond better in fall. Fall is an optimal time to seed or overseed, dethatch and aerate, and fertilize cool season grasses.

Now is the time to call the lawn care professionals at Nutri-Lawn Ottawa for professional advice and fall lawn care services.