This summer finds us a little behind weather wise.  A very late spring caused many concerns and challenges for turfgrass managers.  Hopefully we are now in a more “friendly” weather pattern.  In the mid-Atlantic we had a return of the Japanese beetle infestation, so we must keep on an eye on lawns this fall for possible grub damage.  With the late spring, the pre-emergents should be able to do their job and hold off grassy weeds from appearing late in the season.

Our Love Your Lawn-Love Your Soil is now available in a 10,000 square foot bag and it is the key product to use with any new customers you are enrolling in your lawn program.  Love Your Lawn-Love Your Soil is the perfect product to get the soil back in shape to support good turf growth, appearance and most of all survivability.  Think of how much time it takes to get these new accounts and the effort you make to “save” them.  Get them on the road to a healthy, productive, attractive lawn.  Apply Love Your Lawn-Love Your Soil immediately after taking over the lawn to start improving the soil and getting it in shape to sustain a great lawn.

Another important component of a great turfgrass lawn is the quality of grass seed used on the property.  Cheap seed will always be cheap and the results will reflect that.  It will not survive and probably has some weed content.  Visits with sod farmers who planted some of our newer varieties have proven and loved the beautiful appearance of our new plants.  In particular our Black Beauty varieties have been able to weather the tough conditions we are now experiencing.  At Jonathan Green we feel very strongly that our research and breeding programs are at the forefront of our industry.

As you now begin planning your fall renovations and repairs we hope you will consider using our superior grass seed.  We have many mixtures from which to choose from and if need be we can formulate a custom mixture to suit your needs.  The cost of a less expensive bag of grass seed will not show future savings, or performance, as quality grass seed would.  Repairs are more extensive when you factor in time and additional labor costs that pile up with having the problems that lesser quality seed presents.  Not to mention the concern of the customer and their frustration for having their property constantly repaired.  The deep green color of our newest grass seed mixtures can reduce fertilizer needs.  Our endophyte-enhanced seed offers better summer performance against heat and drought.  Many insect problems are reduced with endophytes, which will help lower your pesticide costs.  Contact your Jonathan Green salesperson and discuss your needs and expectations and let us work for you to offer you the best grass seed on the market.

We find another way to ensure success for lawns is the important fall feedings.  The fall fertilizer applications that you make this fall will solidify the work you have done on seeding and repairs.  As top growth slows with the shorter days and colder temperatures, food from fertilization begins to be used for root development and carbohydrate storage (think of it as a savings account for nutrients for the turf grass).  The benefits are many including increased density, increased root growth, decreased spring mowing, improved fall to spring color, decreased summer weed problems, increased drought tolerance and decreased disease incidence.  Fertilization this fall will definitely improve your chances of maintaining quality turf during any drought that may arise in the summer of 2015.  Favorites for the early fall fertilization are Jonathan Green Pro-Green Starter Fertilizer 14-20-8, Pro-Green Root Builder 10-20-10, and Winter Survival Fall Fertilizer 10-0-20 are good choices if greater amounts of P and K are required or needed, and are allowed.  We have other options for the later fall feeding, which have higher nitrogen amounts.  New local or state laws may restrict the application of the amount of phosphorus and impose a cutoff date for fall fertilizing.  Do not forget to monitor soil pH this fall.  Our Mag-I-Cal Pelletized Calcium Fertilizer with humates greatly aids both existing and new lawns.  We believe it is one of our most important products along with Love Your Lawn-Love Your Soil. Both address improving soil quality to ensure a better turfgrass growing environment.  Good luck and have a successful fall season!