Fall is the ideal time to restore cool-season grass, the most common turfgrass grown on lawns in our area. This program will describe how to improve lawns and the underlying soil, and outline steps for ensuring a beautiful weed-free lawn with an emphasis on sustainable practices and minimizing the impact to our native pollinators and wildlife.
This free online class was offered by Extension Master Gardeners.
Speaker: Extension Master Gardener Joyce Hylton
Zoom session, recorded August 28, 2020
Video of Presentation
- 00:00 Intro
- 03:52 Grass Types
- 07:52 Soil Tests
- 14:04 Questions
- 14:48 Soil Preparation
- 16:35 Fertilizer Basics
- 20:55 Fertilizer Application & Timing
- 26:44 Questions
- 33:27 Lawn Measurement, Fertilizer Ratio and Use
- 46:37 When & Why of Fertilizer Timing
- 48:30 Seeding, Mowing Irrigation, & etc
- 58:04 Summary
- 59:28 Questions
Additional Resources for Lawn Care
Turfgrass Lawns
These two publications are among the best for providing clear, in-depth guidance for starting and maintaining your lawns, either cool-season (fescues, rye, Kentucky blue) or warm-season (zoysia, bermuda).
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- “Spring and Summer Lawn Management: Considerations for Cool-Season Turfgrasses.” http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/430/430-532/430-532.html
- “Spring and Summer Lawn Management: Considerations for Warm-Season Turfgrasses.”http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/430/430-533/430-533.html
Provides thorough coverage of Fall Lawn Care for both Cool and Warm Season Turfgrasses.
Fall Lawn Care
http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/430/430-520/430-520_pdf.pdf
Explains the need for and process of core aeration.
Core Aeration: https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/430/430-002/430-002_pdf.pdf
Covers the most environmentally sensitive way to use fertilizers.
Lawn Fertilization in Virginia J.M. Goatley, et.al. http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/CSES/CSES-135/CSES-135-pdf.pdf
An overview of weeds and techniques for management
Master Gardener Virtual Classroom; Weed ID and Management
Explains practices that can effect weed control in lawns
Weed Suppression in Lawns: https://mgnv.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Weed-Suppression-in-Lawns-–-2020-PMG.pdf
Provides a quick description of common Lawn Diseases
Lawn Diseases: https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/lawn-diseases
Calendars provide references for when to provide certain care for your lawn.
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- Maintenance Calendar for Cool-Season Lawns in Virginia https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/430/430-523/430-523.html
- Maintenance Calendar for Warm-Season Lawns in Virginia https://pubs.ext.vt.edu/430/430-522/430-522.html
