Show #153 - Fall Lawn Renovation Starts Now: The Right Steps for a Healthier Lawn

Great Gardens Radio reminds homeowners that fall lawn renovation begins August 15—not Labor Day. As the growing season transitions into the flower-bud-setting season, the focus shifts from trimming plants to preparing lawns for successful fall repair and growth.

A successful lawn renovation starts with identifying and eliminating weeds, followed by proper mowing, core aeration, soil improvement, liming, fertilizing, and selecting the right grass seed for sun or shade.

At the same time, gardens need consistent food, water, and mulch to maximize plant health and prepare for the months ahead.

August Is the Transition Point in the Garden

By early August, one major gardening job is ending while another begins.

The growing season is winding down, and plants are entering the period when they establish the flower buds that will produce next year’s blooms. That means homeowners should focus on keeping plants:

• Well fertilized
• Properly mulched
• Well watered
• In maximum health
• Free from competing weeds

For sunny lawns and plants, rainfall should provide—or homeowners should supplement—1 inch of water per week when conditions become dry.

But the big seasonal change is happening underground: fall lawn-building season is beginning.

Step 1: Eliminate Weeds Before Renovating

Before putting seed down, Great Gardens Radio recommends starting with weed control.

Fertilome’s Weed Free Zone is highlighted as a primary tool for broadleaf weeds, but it will not control grass weeds such as:

• Crabgrass
• Goosegrass
• Orchard grass
• Nutsedge

For difficult grass weeds in an otherwise desirable lawn, the script recommends Image All-in-One as a broad-spectrum selective option.

The key message is simple: identify the weed before selecting the product.

Zombie weeds—including Bermuda grass, stilt grass, and nimblewill—require more specific treatment. If you cannot identify the problem, bring a sample to an independent garden center for help.

Use Wilt-Pruf to Improve Spray Coverage

The script also emphasizes adding Wilt-Pruf to spray applications to laminate the product onto the target.

The recommended mixture for Image All-in-One is:

• 4 oz. Image All-in-One
• 1 gallon of water
• 1 oz. Wilt-Pruf

The script also notes that morning dew is an ideal time for weed or moss treatments.

Step 2: Mow the Lawn Short

About one week after treating the weeds, the next renovation step is mowing.

Great Gardens Radio recommends mowing the lawn down to approximately 1 inch tall before core aeration and renovation work.

The larger goal is to prepare the lawn so the following steps—especially aeration, soil improvement, and seeding—can be performed effectively.

Step 3: Core Aerate Correctly

Core aeration is the third major step.

The soil should be watered 2–4 days before aeration so that it is workable and the roots are not being cut in dry soil.

The script strongly recommends three passes with the core aerator rather than one.

When getting estimates, homeowners should specifically ask for three passes. The philosophy behind the approach is to do the renovation properly so it does not need to be repeated unnecessarily.

The Secret to a Great Lawn Is the Soil

After aeration, one of the most important decisions is determining how much—and what type—of soil should be used for topdressing.

Great Gardens Radio compares soil to a refrigerator: it stores moisture and nutrients until the lawn needs them.

That means a great lawn begins with a great growing environment.

McGill’s Soil Builder

The script recommends McGill’s Soil Builder as a premium topdressing option.

It can be spread approximately 1/3 inch deep over the entire lawn or used selectively for damaged areas.

A topdresser can make spreading the soil across a larger lawn easier.

After spreading, homeowners should rake the soil to create an even grade before immediately applying lime.

Lime and Fertilizer Are Essential

The recommended liming rate is 40 pounds per 1,000 square feet.

After liming, fertilize with a quality lawn fertilizer rather than older-style seed-and-sod starter products.

The script specifically recommends:

• Turf Trust
• Betty’s Show Turf

The goal is to create an environment where new grass can establish successfully and existing grass can fill in naturally.

Choose Grass Seed for Sun or Shade

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is using the same seed throughout the entire yard.

Sunny Lawns

For full-sun areas, the script recommends tall fescue varieties such as:

• Betty’s Super Bar
• Greenview’s Winning Colors

Betty’s Super Bar is described as containing three top-rated NTEP seeds, while Greenview’s Winning Colors contains four top-rated seeds.

Shady Lawns

Shade requires a different type of seed mix.

Betty’s divides shade into three categories based on direct sunlight between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.:

• Light shade: 3 hours of direct sun
• Medium shade: 2 hours
• Dense shade: 1 hour
• Complete shade: Zero direct sun

Complete shade is not considered dense shade, and maintaining turf in those conditions can be difficult. The script suggests increasing sunlight through limbing up trees or removing trees, or considering ground covers instead.

Shade Makes Soil Management Even More Important

The script emphasizes that topdressing becomes increasingly important as shade increases.

As shade becomes heavier, soil rebuilding and fall seeding become more important. Homeowners should pay particular attention to maintaining the soil environment rather than simply adding more seed.

Don’t Automatically Overseed the Entire Lawn

One of the episode’s biggest lawn-care messages is that overseeding has become an overused recommendation.

Older grass varieties such as K-31 and Rebel I had limited ability to fill open spaces, which encouraged homeowners to use much higher seed rates and reseed frequently.

Today’s newer tall fescue varieties can spread and fill damaged areas more effectively.

That means homeowners with an otherwise healthy lawn may only need to repair the damaged spots.

Read the “Box of Truth”

Before buying grass seed, check the seed composition on the package.

The script warns homeowners to look for approximately 99% seed purity, rather than the much lower percentages found in some box-store products.

The message is to evaluate the actual contents of the bag—not simply the brand name or marketing on the front.

Repair Lawn Damage Without Overloading Healthy Areas

If the majority of the lawn performed well during the season, concentrate seed where it is actually needed.

A healthy lawn does not necessarily need more seed.

Instead:

1. Identify damaged areas.
2. Improve the soil.
3. Lime the area.
4. Apply quality fertilizer.
5. Use the appropriate seed for sun or shade.
6. Keep the repair consistently watered.

For larger lawns, beginning repairs early is especially important because new seed requires substantial water during establishment.

Protect New Seed With Grass Seed Accelerator

The script recommends Greenview’s Grass Seed Accelerator for covering spot repairs.

It is described as a modern replacement for traditional straw that helps maintain and store moisture around the seed.

The script also mentions using liquid humates in Kick-Start to help with longer-term moisture and nutrient storage.

Late-Summer Pest Control

August is also an important time to address lawn insects.

The episode recommends Dylox 24 Hour Grub Killer for controlling seven types of grubs, sod webworms, chiggers, army worms, and other lawn pests.

The script identifies sod webworm as the number two lawn pest.

Treating these pests during fall preparation can help reduce future problems.

Keep an Eye on Plants, Too

Late summer is also a good time to inspect Crepe Myrtles, Hollies, Euonymus, and Camellias for scale.

Peony foliage is often heavily affected by fungus by this point in the season. The script recommends cutting the foliage cleanly and placing it in the compost pile, followed by fresh fertilizer.

Large-flowered plants—including Peonies, Hydrangeas, Wisteria, Lilacs, Dogwoods, and Rhododendrons—are also highlighted for attention during this period.

Deadheading Can Encourage Another Bloom

Some perennials can benefit from timely deadheading combined with fertilizer.

Examples mentioned in the episode include:

• Moonbeam Coreopsis
• Tall Garden Phlox
• Scabiosa

Removing spent flowers can help encourage another round of flowering.

When to Plant Fall Color

Late summer is also the beginning of the transition toward fall color, but timing matters.

The episode recommends:

• Mums: Wait another week or so
• Pansies: Wait until around September 20
• Ornamental cabbage and kale: Wait until October

Pansies are particularly sensitive to the late-summer heat.

Divide and Replant Iris Now

August is also an excellent time to divide and replant Iris.

Make sure Iris are well watered and fertilized both before and after division to help them recover and establish.

New Arrivals: Encore Azalea Autumn Kiss

The episode highlights Encore Azalea Autumn Kiss as a new arrival.

Autumn Kiss features deep pink coloring surrounding a white interior with a double pink center. It is beginning to bloom alongside other Encore and Bloom-a-Thon Azaleas.

The Great Gardens Radio Takeaway

Fall lawn renovation isn’t a one-step process. It is an entire system built around weed control, soil quality, proper aeration, lime, fertilizer, the right seed, and sufficient water.

The biggest mistake is waiting until Labor Day to begin.

Start early, identify the problems before treating them, repair damaged areas rather than automatically overseeding healthy turf, and build the soil environment that allows new grass to thrive.

And while you’re working on the lawn, remember that the rest of the garden still needs attention. Feed, water, mulch, deadhead, divide, and prepare your plants for the transition into fall.