Sow and fertilize the lawn after scarifying

The best time to use the scarifier and then sow and fertilize is spring during the month of May. The soil should be free of frost and given time to dry off. Seeds start better early in the growing season in spring and certain fertilizers strengthen the grass, make it more resilient and encourage dense growth.

exception

If the lawn has been heavily used in the winter or under heavy loads in the previous year, the scarifier should not be used in the spring. This care measure puts additional strain on lawns, so that the desired goal of a well-groomed lawn can become a long way off and even have the opposite effect. In this case, areas should first be fertilized so that the grass can recover before the first scarifying.

Herbst

Between the end of August and October, the scarifier can also be used before fertilizing or sowing. Even in November it can still make sense, especially in combination with fertilization, if heavily used lawns are to be strengthened for the cold season. Nevertheless, the spring offers the better time because a more optimal regeneration is possible.

work steps

• Inspect and clean the lawn
• cut the lawn
  • Cutting to a grass height of between three and four centimeters is optimal
  • Do not cut on wet ground
• Ideal mowing time: early in the morning or in the evening (otherwise the heat of the sun promotes dehydration)
• Do not mulch before scarifying
• Remove grass clippings from the lawn as much as possible
• scarify the lawn

Measure pH

An important aspect for the further procedure is the current pH value of the soil. If this is too low, lime should be applied before any further action, because it neutralizes and increases the pH value in the soil. Only then can the subsequently administered fertilizer develop its full effect. The lime can be spread directly after using the scarifier. After that, the lawn should rest for four to seven days.

The “healthy” pH value looks like this:

• pH between 5.2 and 6.0 in normally drained soils
• pH between 6.0 and 6.5 in heavy, clayey soils

Fertilize

Once the scarifier has done its job and the lime has survived its waiting time, fertilizer can be used. Basically, the lawn that has been stressed by the winter needs a lot of nutrients, which allow the lawn to grow vigorously and give it a lush green. When fertilizing important details should be considered:

•  Moist soil absorbs fertilizers faster and more extensively
•  Choose an overcast day for fertilization (ideally with a rain forecast afterwards)
•  Distribute fertilizer evenly and over the entire area so that there are no different lengths of growth
• The use of fertilizer wagons for even spreading is optimal, especially on large areas
• If rain is not forthcoming, water the fertilized lawn
• After fertilization, do not walk on the area three to four days after watering/rain
• Do not leave small children and pets unsupervised in the garden (possible risk of poisoning from consuming fertilizers)

fertilizer

• Fertilizer with nitrogen in spring (intensifies lawn green and promotes growth)
• Slow-release mineral fertilizer is best absorbed by weak grass roots
• Use fertilizers containing potassium and phosphate in autumn after scarifying

Rasenaussaat

Irrespective of whether bare spots are to be sown again or whether the goal is overall dense growth through sowing, after the lawn care described here, sowing the lawn is the last task. The following is important here:

• Wait at least two weeks between fertilizing and sowing
• Ideal time: between May and June – not between July and August, as there is a high risk of burning
• When making repairs, buy seed that matches existing one (for a consistent overall look)
• When sowing in shady locations, pay attention to the corresponding properties when buying seeds
• Only sow on level ground – level with a roller if necessary
• Distribute seeds evenly
• Then press lightly
• Water carefully (soil must not be too wet, otherwise seeds will float away)
• If the soil is low in humus, spread potting soil over the seeds (protects seeds from drying out)
• Keep seeded areas continuously moist but not too wet (never water in the sun as young plants are very delicate and will burn)
• Do not walk on the lawn until new grass has reached a height of about five centimeters (three to six weeks depending on the weather)

aftercare

Lawn cut

As soon as the newly sown lawn has reached a height of between ten and twelve centimetres, the first lawn cut can take place. This is more about “cutting the tips”, because the young blades of grass must not be cut too short, as they are still sensitive. It is ideal to set the lawn mower to a cutting height of eight to ten centimetres. After three to four “top cuts” the young lawn is usually so strong that it can be cut back to the desired/usual lawn length. A renewed fertilization should at the earliest

Fertilize again

Meadows should not be fertilized again until the following year after sowing. It should be done twice a year in spring and fall. There are exceptions if an existing damage pattern indicates a nutrient deficiency. Typical signs of this are:

• Poor growth and pale green – lacking nitrogen
• A lot of weeds are growing – pH value too high – administer pH minus
• Moss formation – too acidic soil – lime required
• Dense tangles – Lawns require nitrogen fertilization
• Bald spots usually with brown discoloration of the grass due to fungal growth – potash fertilizer can help