Your Lawn Now

Throughout the winter months your lawn needs very little care. The grasses are dormant and the soil frozen. But this doesn’t mean that we’re resting!

Here at Rainbow LawnCare, we use the winter to dissect the previous growing season. We take the information we gain from our clients’ feed back and use it to make the next year even better.

If you are a current client, look for our spring letter coming in early March!

Here in Minnesota, March is typically considered the snowiest month. It can also be host to the very beginning of spring. Because of the changeable weather, we typically do not perform any applications this early in the year. However, now is the time to make sure that your lawn will be well cared for during the coming season.

The first thing current clients should do is look over your spring letter. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have. An early acceptance is the best way to ensure that your lawn will be healthy for this spring and summer.

Additionally, March is a wonderful time to meet with one of our consultants if you are a new client in need of a lawn care proposal. We begin pre-emergent crabgrass treatments in April. Getting set up with a customized program now ensures that you don’t miss the window for this application.

It’s getting hot out there! As the mercury rises, we finish up the first round of fertilization and weed control. This is typically finished by the end of June, sometimes earlier, depending on the weather.

Early to mid June is when most perennial weeds begin rearing their heads. You can expect to see more dandelions and clover in your lawn, as well as ground ivy (creeping Charlie). The weed control we use is different than most. You won’t see immediate reduction in the number of weeds in your yard; instead you may even see those pesky plants growing. That is because the herbicide we use actually grows the plants to death, using up the carbohydrates stored in their roots. Wait two weeks before determining whether your weed control has been effective.

Remember: many herbicides will leach through the soil, attacking the roots of your trees and shrubs. Always make sure you are familiar with all the effects of any herbicide you apply yourself, as well as the proper storage and disposal procedures! If you have questions about these practices, contact the DNR or MN Department of Agriculture.

These are truly the dog days of summer. It is hot, hot, hot, and there is very little rain fall. You may see your lawn begin a period of summer dormancy during this period. When this happens grass visibly browns and stops growing. Be sure to water occasionally, even through dormancy to make sure of your lawn’s survival during this normal drought period. Check out our information on proper watering to make sure your schedule is beneficial for your grass.

We do not fertilize during July, as it will force grass to grow when should not. This can seriously damage the health of your lawn. We do offer a mid-summer broadleaf weed control application. Dormant grass means that weeds will be more visible at this time, and spot spraying is particularly effective. Remember to check our home page to see what the weather is like! We can not spray for weeds if the temperature is above 85º Fahrenheit.

Even though summer generally holds on through the middle of September, it is still the beginning of fall. September sees us finishing our late summer fertilizer application. Seeding is also best completed by the end of September (depending on the weather) in order to ensure optimal germination.

During September your lawn’s second growth cycle continues full force. Make sure that through all that mowing that you are sharpening your mower blades and keeping an eye on mowing height. These two things can make a huge difference in the health of your grass.

It’s time to say good bye to the green lawns of summer. If we don’t get much snow, you will notice your lawn edging towards dormancy. As soil temperatures drop your grass will take on the characteristic brownish cast of winter.

Late fall fertilizations wrap up the first week or so of November, and the only other service we perform at this time of year is aeration. We will continue with aeration until the ground freezes or the snow flies. From all of us at Rainbow LawnCare, stay warm!