Prep now for a good-looking lawn next year

At this time of the year I often hear exasperated gardeners say, "I am tired of dealing with all of the issues such as weeds and diseases in my cool season lawn. I am just going to wait until next spring and start all over again. That way I will get a fresh start for next year, and maybe I won't have as many problems in 2015."

I suggest that if you are dealing with cool season lawn grasses (bluegrass, fescue or rye) that you think of the fall as the time to start your efforts so that when spring comes along, you can have a beautiful lawn to enjoy.

Cool season lawn grasses are called cool season grasses because they grow best in cool weather. Although we have experienced some very warm days, the cool temperatures of fall are just around the corner. So it is best to perform cultural practices that encourage rapid growth and development of those cool season grasses now, because this is the beginning of the time that they grow best.

Start the process by making a lawn inspection. Identify weeds that may be present. Check to see if you have any damaged areas that may need reseeding. With that information, you can develop a plan to make your lawn the envy of the neighborhood.

If your lawn needs reseeding, plan on doing that as soon as possible. I have written about the best way to overseed an existing lawn several times. If you need a refresher course, go to a local garden center and ask a lot of questions.

High-nitorgen fertilizers applied now can lead to a more robust lawn next year. (GLENN LANDBERG)

Remember, it is important to do that reseeding just as soon as possible. You want your new grass to have plenty of time to get established before cold weather sets in.

If you are not reseeding, make an application of a high-nitrogen fertilizer ASAP in September to your cool season lawn. This application will provide it with the nutrition needed to grow new roots and increase leaf growth. I would suggest a 24-0-4 combination.

If you have a lot of broadleaf weeds in your lawn, also spray trimec (a herbicide combination of three different herbicides) This combination will eliminate most-broadleaf weeds that may be growing in your lawn at this time.

If you don't want to spray your lawn for weeds, you can get a combination of granular fertilizer and weed control. For better results, make sure that the lawn is wet before you apply the fertilizer-weed control combination.

The early fall application of high-nitrogen fertilizer should be followed by a winterizer application. Do this application (also a high-nitrogen fertilizer) about 8 to 10 weeks after your early fall application. This fertilizer will encourage continued root development throughout the winter months. Remember, a good root system makes a good foundation for a great looking lawn.

Don't wait until spring to begin a cool season lawn renovation. Do it now just as the fall cool season begins.