Step 4 .......... Aerating the lawn.

Friends,

It's time for Step 4 in the cycle of grass growing lawn maintenance.......

This step involves a bit more time and effort...... Aerating and seeding your lawn.

Kim Meyers has reserved an aerator for this Sunday (Oct 8th) I will pick it up sometime late Saturday afternoon and use it on my yard........ after that it's first come first serve. We will have it all day Sunday to use as well.

This is best time of the year to grass now and especially for next spring/summer.

Here is what you need to do/know.

Cut your lawn a little shorter than normal .......... rake or bag the clippings. I recommend raking up as much of the dead/bare area's as possible . Pull any large weeds you find as they will choke out the new grass.

Grab the Aerator from whoever has it.......... and then Aerate the hell out of your lawn. It's much like cutting your lawn in terms of time/pass's you need to make but requires a little more finesse to maneuver around trees and driveways. Please hose off the Aerator as it gets ugly and I have to return it clean.

Put down seed using a spreader.......... I recommend buying Rebel tall fescue from True Value......... 20 lb bag if your grass/yard is just so-so.......... 2-20 lbs if your yard looks like a barren desert. (and you know who you are) Don't buy "cheap" seed as it usually contains lots of weed seeds as well. (you also know who you are)

Put down Starter Fertilizer using a spreader........... important to use only "Starter Fertilizer" as many of the other fertilizer contain chemicals that prohibit new seed growth or are to harsh for new grass. Scotts brand is usually the easiest to find.......

Water your lawn.............. no need to water every day but do make an effort to water in the seed and fertilizer at first and then try to keep the ground moist giving the seeds a chance to grow this fall.........also try to keep foot traffic and leaves off your new lawn as well. Leaves block the much needed sunlight and water newly establish grass needs.

The cost of the Aerator usually works out to about $ 20 a yard.......... any access money collected I will donate to the BWC block party via Joe Discerio (president BWCCA) Drop off a check/cash for $20 when you pick up or return the Aerator to my yard. My house number is 3213 on the main drag.

and last but not least.......... anyone who has a couple of hours free Saturday morning and would like to help one of our neighbors (Gail Ponne) put down some sod in her back yard would be much appreciated by her and my aging back!

Gary

Lawn Care........ it's time for another application

Ola'

It's May and time now is a good time to put down another application of fertilizer and weed killer.

Jog off to the store and buy a bag or two (depending on yard size) of SCOTTS Step 2 fertilizer and week killer. It's important to read the directions as you'll need to apply this application while the lawn is wet/damp. The weed killing part of this step will only be effective if the chemical can attach itself to the weeds in your lawn. You'll need to water the lawn first or apply right after a rain or first thing in the morning while the lawn is wet from the evening dew.

If you want to help your lawn to look it's best and stay green and healthy through out the summer try following these steps......

1) Cut your grass on a weekly basis...... you don't want to allow to much thatch (grass clippings) to build up in your lawn. Thatch will prohibit grass from growing and encourage disease.

2) Cut your grass no shorter than 2 inches long....... longer thicker grass will choke out weeds and need less watering. Cutting your grass longer will allow the root system to grow deeper and need less maintenance.

3) Sharpen or replace your lawn mower blade....... a dull blade will pull and tear your grass and harm/destroy the root system.

4) Water your grass ....... but don't over-water......... depending on how much rain we get a newly established lawn should be watered at least 3 times a week for no more than 30-45 minutes at a time. If your lawn is established you can get away with twice a week.

April Lawn Care Advice

 

  March and April's lack of rain have made getting lawns off to a good start difficult so far this spring. As long as there is no water restrictions posted for AA county I would recommend putting sprinklers out. The rule of thumb is 30-45 minutes of water in each area at least 3 days a week until Mother Nature catch's up.

 

  It's to early for another application of granular fertilizer ......... if you haven't put down Scotts step 1 you may want to give it a whirl if you can find it in the stores. The lack of rain has slowed the germination process of most grass's and weeds.

 

 I have had several inquiry's about the chickweed that is attacking most of the lawns here in BWC. Chickweed looks like a vine flowering type of grass that spreads and grows quickly in the cool spring and fall temps. The quickest and easiest way to kill it (and many other weeds) is to grab a bottle of any WEED & FEED that you can attach to your garden hose. Follow the directions as to the best time to apply the spray to your lawn. Don't wait to long to attack the weeds as they will choke out the grass you want to grow all spring/summer.

 

 April is also a good time to tune up the lawnmower and have the blade sharpened or replaced. It is important to make sure your not cutting you lawn to short.Cut your lawn on a weekly basis using a good mulching blade. The best height to try to maintain is between 3-3 1/2 inches.......or for most lawnmowers the next to the highest setting on wheel height. If you maintain your lawn to this height you'll find it requires less water and chemicals.

Spring lawn Advice Gary "lawn ninja" Lidard

 Friends & Family,

 

             I was asked to share my lawn care techniques with a few friends and thought you may appreciate the info as well.......so here goes......

 

           If you do only one thing for your lawn this year now is the time....... Now is the ONLY time of the year to prevent Crabgrass. It's actually a pretty simple process that'll take less than an hour of your time.....but it must be done within the next couple of weeks or it will be to late. (the Sooner the better).

 

          1) Using a leaf rake ..... rake the lawn clean of any loose dead grass,leaves and sticks. Try to stand the grass up from all the winter traffic and weight from frost and snow.

 

         2) Using a spreader....... put down a bag or two (depending on size of your lawn) of SCOTTS Step 1 fertilizer........ it contains both fertilizer and crabgrass preventer. The fertilizer will help the grass you have to grow and thicken........ the other chemicals will prevent the crabgrass not to germinate. Left untreated crabgrass will begin to take hold in your lawn and choke out most if not all your lawn as soon as temps get above 80 or so degree's.

 

         Good idea to try to stay off the lawn and not rake it for at least two weeks as you don't want to disturb the barrier you've set down.......

 

          Now is also a good time to cut back/prune branch's before the leaves appear. The rule on thumb on tree branch's is you should be able to walk underneath them and not have to stoop. The other rule is tree's are meant to compliment and shade your home........ not hide it!

 

      Lastly........ don't do any lawn seeding for at least a couple of weeks after putting down Step 1 as it interferes with new seed germination.

 

         I'll let you know when to put down STEP 2........

 

                                                                                          Lawn Ninja

 

          

 

WELCOME TO THE BLACKWALNUT COVE

WELCOME TO THE BLACKWALNUT COVE
Blackwalnut Cove is a small community of 132 single family homes situated on the Annapolis Neck Peninsula close to the Chesapeake Bay. A most desirable quiet family oriented community which takes great pride in its friendly and welcoming ambiance. We are located off Arundel on the Bay Road, and close to shopping, schools and County library.
The community of Blackwalnut Cove offers water access for canoeing, kayaking, as well as a picnic area, with deck overlooking the water for a quiet respite. Among our many amenities, we have a canoe ramp for ease of access to the water, and a soon to be built canoe/kayak rack for the convenience of the homeowners. Blue Heron and fish abound.A tot lot for toddlers, a basketball court and a gazebo offer a wonderful recreational area for family use.
Come look us over. You may decide to join us