Mow my lawn app. Milorganite® Fertilizer Application Rates and Schedule

Your Seasonal Lawn-Care Schedule for the Northeast

Take the guesswork out of yard work. This lawn-care calendar lets you know when to mow, aerate, fertilize, and seed your yard in the Northeast.

Viveka Neveln is the Garden Editor at BHG and a degreed horticulturist with broad gardening expertise earned over 3 decades of practice and study. She has more than 20 years of experience writing and editing for both print and digital media.

The dramatic seasonal swings in the Northeast can make lawn care tricky. As if merely keeping your grass alive and green with the right lawn fertilizer schedule isn’t hard enough, you also have to pick the right variety of grass to suit your climate and decide when to aerate, mow, and water it. As tempting as it is to just let the weeds take over, we have a better idea: Take the hassle out of lawn maintenance with this handy seasonal schedule, which walks you from spring through fall lawn care in the Northeast. (Yes, you get the winter off!) Now sharpen your mower blades, and grab your smartphone to set those reminders to fertilize.

Spring

Think of spring as the start of yard season. Set your grass up for all-year-long success by tackling the basics from March to June, and the rest of the growing season will be a breeze.

Maintaining Your Mower

Before you even step foot onto your lawn, tend to your mower. Bring your grass cutter in for service in early spring—that way, you’ll beat the rush, and your most critical tool will be in tip-top shape when you need it. Make sure to sharpen the blades so they cut evenly and efficiently.

How do you know when it’s time to mow? Wait until your grass is about three inches tall, then set your blade height so you only trim an inch or so at a time. It’s best to keep most turf types in this region at least two inches tall—this helps the grass ward off weeds and withstand summer drought later in the year.

Starting a New Lawn

Though fall is the ideal time to start a new lawn from seed, you can also do it in the spring. Don’t wait until the latter part of the season, though—you want to give your grass a chance to grow in and establish itself before the summer heat arrives. Once daytime temperatures hit the 60s, you can start seeding; check the forecast to make sure a spring rain isn’t on the way to avoid washout.

Compacted soil can be a major culprit behind grass that just won’t thicken up. If it’s difficult to stick a shovel into your soil and you have persistent bald patches, this may be your problem—and fortunately, there’s an easy fix: aeration. Pulling up cylindrical plugs of soil when your grass is actively growing enables the roots to reach deeper and the soil to better absorb moisture.

A quick application of lawn food in early spring will help launch your yard into the hot months with staying power. Keep your sprinkling light (hint: it’s easier to consistently apply granules than to spray), and use a slow-release or organic formulation. The ideal time to fertilize is 24 to 48 hours before your first time mowing; depending on the type of fertilizer you choose, you can reapply every four to eight weeks throughout spring and summer.

Summer

Summer is all about maintaining the strong start you established in the spring. A big part of your summertime duties: keeping an eye on your grass to gauge what it needs when, since temperature and rain can vary from week to week.

Watch how your lawn grows. During hot, dry periods, it may only need to be cut every two or three weeks, once the grass is about three inches tall; consider raising the blades on your mower if your grass starts looking scorched. During cool or moist periods, your yard may need mowing twice a week. On average, expect to crank up the lawnmower once a week during the summer.

It’s fine to let your grass go dormant during drought. It’ll turn brown, but will stay alive, and then will go green and start growing when the rain comes again. If you don’t want a brown summer lawn, select drought-tolerant types (such as buffalo grass), or plan on giving your yard about one inch of water a week. If you have sprinklers with a timer, set them to water your lawn between 4 and 8 a.m.

Fall

If you live anywhere from Maine to New Jersey, you know that fall lawn care is all about clean-up and prepping for next year. Knock out these tasks when the weather starts to cool, and you’ll enjoy an easier spring.

If you only fertilize your lawn once a year, fall is the time to do it. Consider laying down a light application in early fall, then repeat the process in the later part of the season.

As temperatures cool, your lawn will begin growing faster, so you’ll probably need to mow on a consistent weekly schedule through the end of the season. When the first foliage starts to fall, use the mulching setting on your mower, and leave the chopped-up leaves atop your grass as fertilizer. As they decompose, they’ll make your soil composition healthier.

Cleaning Up

Once you hit the height of fall, you’ll need to start cleaning up the leaves, since just chopping them as you mow will leave too thick a layer and could smother your grass. If you don’t have the time (or patience!) to rake, you can make several passes over your lawn with a mulching mower to more finely chop them. Repeat this every couple of weeks.

Most grasses in this region thrive in cool temperatures, making autumn the ideal time to overseed. Lay down your new grass seed about a month before your area’s typical first frost date, allowing it to take root before the ground is too cold.

As mentioned earlier, cooler autumn temperatures mean your grass will grow faster, so it’s a great time to aerate, loosening any compacted soil and letting those roots reach deeper.

The last step of the year is winterizing your lawn and mower, preparing you to jump in again come spring. Then sit back and enjoy the view: Following this lawn-care schedule is a big step toward a thriving lawn, and it will only become easier with each passing season.

Milorganite ® Fertilizer Application Rates and Schedule

To remember when to fertilize with Milorganite, we recommend using the “holiday schedule” or applying every 8-10 weeks during the grass growing season. The specific holidays when you fertilize will depend on whether you have northern (cool) season grass or southern (warm) season grass.

Check out the tables below for recommendations on when to fertilize with Milorganite and how much to use based on your type of grass. Make sure to use the correct spreader setting or calibrate your own spreader.

It’s not necessary to water in Milorganite after application, which is one of its great features. It stays on the soil until water and temperature conditions are just right for soil microbes to break down the nutrients in Milorganite for plants to use. Although not necessary, watering in Milorganite will ensure the fertilizer is in contact with the soil and speeds up the fertilization process.

If you’re overseeding your lawn, mix the grass seed with Milorganite. It’s an effective way to spread seed and fertilize at the same time. Mix 4 parts Milorganite with 1 part seed by weight according to recommended overseeding application rates.

When to Apply Milorganite

MD Mi: Apply Milorganite two times per year at the rate of 32 lbs per 5,200 sq ft (per state regulations). Check with local ordinances for fertilizer blackout dates.

Northern, Cool-Season Grasses

Northern Grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, Fescue, and Perennial Ryegrass should be fertilized four (4) times per year.

In spring, fertilize your lawn with Milorganite after the last frost and once your lawn begins to grow and green. A good rule of thumb is when daytime temperatures are consistently in the 60s which means soil temperatures are in the mid-50s. Check out this online tool to learn your current soil temperature. If you fertilize too early, the plant will FOCUS on shoot growth, and you will sacrifice root growth. Deep roots help your lawn better withstand drought conditions during summer months.

For the last application, fertilize with Milorganite as late in the season as possible—just before the first deep freeze or snowfall. This fertilizer application, known as “dormant feeding,” encourages healthier, greener lawn in spring.

Southern, Warm-Season Grasses

Southern Grasses, such as Bermuda, St. Augustine, Centipedegrass, Bahia, and Zoysia, should be fertilized four (4) times per year. Centipedegrass and Bahia grass prefer spring and summer feedings, and to help prevent winterkill, avoid fertilizing these varieties in the fall.

In spring, fertilize your lawn with Milorganite after the last frost and once your lawn begins to grow and green. A good rule of thumb is when daytime temperatures are consistently in the 70s which means soil temperatures are in the 60s. Check out this tool to learn your current soil temperature. If you fertilize too early, the plant will FOCUS on shoot growth and you will sacrifice root growth. Deep roots help your lawn better withstand drought conditions during summer months.

Avoid fertilizing southern grasses too late in the fall. The grass is trying to go dormant and when you fertilize you’re encouraging it to grow. This may cause your lawn to be less hardy as it enters cold weather and more susceptible to winter injury. The last time to fertilize, warm-season grasses, in fall is one month before dormancy or the average first killing frost.

FL MD: Apply Milorganite two times per year at the rate of 32lbs per 5,200 sq ft (per state regulations). Check with local ordinances for fertilizer blackout dates.

In regions where killing frosts can be expected, avoid fertilizing southern grasses in the fall less than one month prior to the average date of the first killing frost. For best results, fertilize when overseeding.

Mix Milorganite into the top two inches of soil before seeding or sodding. After you mow the lawn for the third time, apply two 32 lb bags per 2,500 sq ft of lawn, then follow the recommended fertilizing schedule for your grass type (see above).

VA apply 32 lbs per 2,500 sq ft. Rates not applicable in the state of FL.

For help with setting your spreader, visit spreader settings.

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Mow My Lawn Strategy Guide – The Best Hints, Tips and Cheats

Mow My Lawn is a game about – you guessed it – mowing lawns. You’re not just mowing your own, though, you’re taking it upon yourself to cut down any grass that dares to cross your path. It’s a simple …

Mow My Lawn is a game about – you guessed it – mowing lawns. You’re not just mowing your own, though, you’re taking it upon yourself to cut down any grass that dares to cross your path. It’s a simple enough idea, but there are a few things you’re going to have to get to grips with if you want to get the most out of the experience.

Which is why we’ve written this guide. It covers all of the strategies that we’ve picked up during our time with the game. Follow these and you’re going to find slicing down every blade a much easier challenge.

This guide is for everyone – whether you’re yet to start your strimmer or you’re already a few lawns down. So let’s get on with it – here are the best hints, tips and cheats for Mow My Lawn.

Mow it all down

The key to the game is cutting down every blade of grass that you see. You don’t have to worry about being subtle or careful while you’re doing this – there’s nothing in the game that’s going to impede your cutting blades. Take a methodical approach to clearing each garden, but don’t worry about hitting anything.

Cut the crates

When you see a crate, smash it open with your mower. You’ll get stars, which you can trade in at shops to get new outfits. Usually you’re going to smash the crates without even thinking about it, but if there’s one in a corner, make sure you open it up before moving on to the next garden.

Find the veg

When you cut the first part of a piece of veg, it’ll hover above the ground. Keep cutting in the right direction and you’ll find the rest of it. Sometimes you’ll have to go over ground you’ve already cut, but it’s worth it in the long run.

Use the machines

If you want to use the more powerful moving machines, make sure that you’re getting the most out of them while you do. You should be able to cut at least four gardens in the time you’ve got the boost. That’s a decent return for watching a video, and you should bag yourself some goodies while you do.

Watch out for the red car

Keep an eye out for the red car when you’re cutting a garden near the road. Stop it and you’ll get an extra star added to your kitty. Whenever the red car pops up, make sure you’re moving towards it. You can spend the stars in the shop on new equipment.

Should you Mow Your Lawn Before or After a Lawn Treatment?

A lush, green lawn is what you’re after in spring and summer. Who doesn’t want to sink their toes into velvety, thick, carpet-like grass? Can’t you feel your stress melt away just thinking about it?Getting the healthy, thriving lawn that you want takes some work. To avoid unsightly brown spots and the effects of heavy foot and pet traffic, you need to care for your beloved grass. If you neglect it, there won’t be much to sink your toes into.

Regular, proper fertilization helps maintain the soil’s nutrients at a consistent level to keep your grass happy.

But you might be wondering whether you should mow before or after treating your lawn. After all, you don’t want to waste it.

Don’t worry. We’ve got your back. Here is everything you need to know about mowing timing around lawn treatments.

What You Should Know About Mowing Before or After Treating Your Lawn

During the growing season, you should be mowing your lawn about once each week.

As mowing frequency increases as the weather warms up, timing it around fertilization and weed control treatments can feel tricky.

These mowing tips and tricks should clear up any confusion.

Best Times to Mow Your Lawn

Fertilization, granular specifically, is rarely impacted by mowing. But weed control treatments can be impaired.

You usually don’t want to mow your lawn within 24 hours before any such treatment.

This is because if you mow right before an herbicide treatment, there isn’t much leaf area left to absorb the weed control. If a broadleaf weed control doesn’t come in contact with enough of the plant’s foliage, it won’t be effective. How long do you wait to cut the grass after a lawn treatment? You should wait to mow for 24 to 48 hours post treatment. This is because it takes at least 24 hours for broadleaf weed control to translocate throughout the vascular system of the plant. If you cut the grass too soon, you’re not letting the herbicide get into the plant.

The Grass Clipping Benefit

When you mow after a lawn treatment, it’s always better to leave the clipped grass blades on the lawn.

These clippings act like barriers to help hold in the newly applied nutrients. Bonus: They also provide your lawn with organic nutrients to complement the fertilizer.

Remember the Mowing Basics

Whether you’re mowing your lawn before or after a lawn treatment, remembering the basics is essential to ensure your lawn thrives and you don’t waste your time.

First, make sure your mower is properly prepped. This means sharpening your mower blades, filling the tires with air, changing the oil, and ensuring it’s working correctly before the growing season is in full swing.

Then, when you mow, remember that your grass blades should be 3 to 4 inches tall after you mow. You never want to remove more than one-third of the lawn at any one time so as not to stress it out.

To Mow or Not To Mow: Your Questions Are Answered!

Mowing is an important part of a healthy lawn. And doing it right can keep your lawn happy and maximize the effectiveness of lawn treatments. Regular mowing not only improves its appearance, but also helps it grow thicker, choking out weeds.

If mowing before or after treating your lawn is still confusing to you, never fear. Here at Natural Green, we’re happy to answer your questions about proper timing and mowing techniques to help you take better care of your lawn. It’s what we do here in Central and Southern Maryland, and we’re always happy to share our knowledge about what your grass likes best.

We’d love to be a part of helping you achieve the lawn of your dreams in Central or Southern Maryland. Get started today with a free quote. Together, we’ll prepare a customized plan so you can have the best lawn on the block.