Proper Turf Renovation
The more action turf sees, the more work it takes to get it back in pristine condition. Whether it be from a summer well spent or a season passed with golf, football, or other sports — not to mention the effects of a blazing-hot sun and irregular precipitation — the more inviting the turf, the more wear it receives. It takes a bit of extra effort to improve turf health and appearance on a commercial level, but even the most damaged and thinned-out of grass can be restored with some ingenuity and the right tools.
At Scott’s Power Equipment, we want our customers to have all the information they need to complete any lawn or turf project on their plates, which includes having access to the perfect equipment for the job. We’ve put together this short guide with some tips to renovating your turf to bring back that green goodness and show a professional level of care. Read on for more information or head into one of our locations in Bridgeton, Arnold, and Wentzville, Missouri, where we proudly serve our neighbors in Illinois.
What is Turf Renovation?
Turf renovation is all about addressing patches of less-than-beautiful turf and extends to maintaining the health and quality of the grass. This process is ideal for turf that’s been damaged or allowed to die back. It’s NOT for turf that’s been torn out completely or is damaged over more than half its total area. Renovation can fill in bare spots, improve density, or encourage healthier growth. Turf renovation is often done in the spring to help cold-season grasses, though most turf is best served by attention in the fall.
Preparing for Turf Renovation
Proper turf renovation takes some prep work to keep costs down and effects high. First you’ll want to figure the right time of year to get to work, as we talked about above. Getting a handle on the condition of the soil is also important, as you might need to aerate, mow, or even scalp before heading into renovation.
Overseeding is the primary method of turf renovation. That means planting new grass seed directly into existing turf. This can be an especially effective method if the turf in question was laid down long in the past, since newer varieties of grass are usually able to better withstand the very problems that cause a loss of turf density: disease, drought, pests, and sun damage.
Timing is everything when it comes to preparing your turf, and timelines vary depending on factors such as type of grass, regional climate, and overall turf condition. Cool-season renovation should be done when temperatures fall below 85 degrees and overnight is consistently below 65 degrees — usually when grass is losing its color.
Spring overseeding should be performed early enough in the season that the grass has time to germinate completely before summer heat arrives.
If you’re having problems identifying any existing turf problems, including poor soil condition or an especially thick thatching, you should contact lawn care professionals or your county extension office. No matter your reason for turf renovation, you won’t get far without addressing the issue that originally caused the loss of turf integrity.
The Right Seed
The right seed in the right place makes all the difference in the world. You’ll need to take into consideration your climate and turf needs to make the best choice. Whether your goal is to increase overall health, look, or density, there are several factors to consider. Start by reading up on what you’re currently dealing with and determine whether your turf is made up of the right grass as-is.
Seed analysis labels will guide you in the right direction and help with establishing expectations when it comes to germination. Every bag of seed you come across should have a ton of information verified by the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) to help you decide, including seed variety and purity, whether or not there’s crop seed, inert matter, weed seeds, lot number, test and sell-by dates, as well as any other state-level requirements. Selecting an NTEP-certified seed bag ensures you’re getting what you need.
Tips for Successful Overseeding
After preparing the turf and selecting your seed, it’s time to spread the seed. Seed bags should also have recommended rates and levels of seeding; follow those unless you have a specific result in mind. A drop spreader or rotary spreader should accomplish what you need, though a handheld spreader can be used if you’re only dealing with small area of turf.
Once you’ve spread the seed out, you’ll want to apply some fresh starter fertilizer to help the seedlings along. They’ll get some extra nutrients like nitrogen to get them on the right path toward healthy germination. Starter fertilizer also helps develop root growth and color in the long term. A fertilizer high in phosphorus can be extra helpful in this area. However, you’ll want to check to make sure there aren’t any application requirements or restrictions. Again, contact your local extension office for more information.
There are a few other steps you can take to give the seed the best chance possible to germinate healthily, including applying top dressing to the turf to help manage moisture levels on particularly sensitive turf or in harsh climates. Whatever you do, try to keep a consistent level of moisture for a week or so after overseeding. Light watering throughout the day is best, but not everyone has the time or patience! Just don’t let the turf dry out during this period, as it could lead to the seeds failing to germinate at all.
Once you notice the new grass taking hold, you can increase watering to encourage root growth. And after there’s adequate coverage on the new areas of growth, you can return to whatever watering you generally use, but don’t start mowing until the new grass has grown to 1-½ inches.
Weathered and damaged turf isn’t always beyond saving! With the right level of renovation, including addressing existing problems and overseeding, turf thought dead might instead rise again. Preparing can be a complicated process, so if you have further questions don’t hesitate to call or head into Scott’s Power Equipment for some professional help. We have locations in Bridgeton, Arnold, and Wentzville, Missouri. Stop by today and let our team of courteous experts answer your questions and help with what you need!