Lawn Care for Ottawa | I Fought the Lawn and the Lawn Won | Nematodes

If your lawn looks like a war zone this spring or fall, with dead patches and torn up grass, it is likely you have grubs. May, and late August through October, are the ideal times to topdress, overseed, and treat for grubs. Spring is an excellent time to overseed your lawn, thanks to cooler temperatures and naturally moist soil.

Eco Friendly Lawn Seed

For the past several years, there has been a growing movement toward more eco friendly lawn seed mixtures. Fescues are a true workhorse when it comes to lawn seed and perform well in both shade and sun. Fescues typically require less fertilizer and develop a deeper root system, making them far more drought tolerant than bluegrass. Because of their extensive root system, they are also better able to withstand some grub damage.

White clover is another eco friendly lawn alternative gaining popularity. It is completely drought and grub resistant, requires no fertilizer, and can be cut short during the heat of summer while still surviving.

Prepare Your Lawn

When overseeding a lawn, a common mistake many homeowners make is simply casting seed over top of existing grass. Proper lawn preparation is essential. This includes raking up any dead grass and topdressing with a good quality, weed free topsoil or triple mix. This does not include the inexpensive bags of black earth found at box stores. Black earth has no nutrients and, once dried out, can resemble crumbly cement, making it difficult for seed to germinate.

Making a proper investment in your lawn will save you time and money in the long run. Lawn seed should be scattered on top of the fresh soil and kept well watered until germination begins. Germination typically takes five to ten days for ryegrass, ten to fourteen days for fescue mixes, and up to twenty five days for bluegrass. This timing is directly related to moisture, temperature, and proper preparation. Grass seed will not germinate until ground temperatures reach approximately 11 to 15 degrees Celsius.

Grubs

If your lawn has been damaged by grubs, remember they have two life cycles, spring and fall. Eggs laid in the fall will have already hatched or will soon hatch and begin feeding on grass roots. When applied properly, nematodes are a very effective method of grub control. Typically, two applications, one in the fall and one in the spring, can help break the grub cycle.

Nematodes should always be a Canadian strain and raised on a live host to ensure effectiveness. Independent garden centres usually carry these types of nematodes. The ideal time to apply nematodes in our area depends on weather conditions, but is generally mid May and mid September.

Lawn care has become more challenging than ever for today’s homeowner. Extreme drought, ineffective weed control options, and an increase in grub damage have left many gardeners feeling frustrated. If you are looking for additional information on controlling grubs, you may find our FAQs post on how to get rid of lawn killing grubs using nematodes helpful.

Be Proactive

A beautiful lawn is achievable, but being proactive is key. Take the time to topdress your lawn each season with a high quality topsoil and seed. Thick lawns leave little space for weed seeds to settle and germinate. When watering, always use a sprinkler rather than a hose end sprayer, and water for at least 20 minutes per area, especially during periods of drought.

Lawn care specialists are available at most independent garden centres and can help guide you toward success. Remember, a beautiful lawn does not happen by itself!