Renovation Season: Getting Turfgrass Choices Just Right

Renovation season is upon us, and making smart choices about turfgrass can make all the difference. Chuck Easton from Automatic Supply has been through it all and is here to share his real-world experience and help turfgrass managers hit their stride.

Finding the Right Turfgrass for the Job

Choosing the right grass isn’t as simple as it sounds. It all comes down to the purpose of the lawn and what’s already there. Think about it… the needs of a backyard are going to be totally different from what’s needed on a golf course green. It’s easy to make a mistake, like overseeding a bluegrass lawn with tall fescue, which can be a headache to fix.

The fix? Start fresh with a complete lawn renovation (hello, RoundUp). The key here is knowing what the grass is meant for, what kind you’re dealing with, and how much maintenance it'll require going forward.

Is It Time to Renovate or Just Overseed?

Now, here’s where things get interesting. Do you go for a full renovation or stick to overseeding? It all depends on the lawn’s condition and what you want in the long run. Let’s say you’re working on a soccer field. Quick-growing perennial ryegrass might be just the ticket because of how fast it germinates and fills in.

On the flip side, if you’re dealing with a shady yard, a mix of creeping red fescue and bluegrass could be the better route. It’s all about matching the right solution to the specific environment.

The Details: Renovating vs. Overseeding

Though renovating and overseeding may seem alike at first glance, they’re actually quite different. Renovating involves taking a lawn down to square one. You’re removing what’s there, prepping the soil with aeration, and starting from scratch with new seeds.

Overseeding, on the other hand, is more of a boost: adding new seed to an existing lawn after some aeration to thicken it up. Whichever you choose, it’s crucial to ensure good seed-to-soil contact. That’s where you’ll see the results.

Manage Expectations and Fertilize for Success

Finally, it’s all about setting the right expectations with your clients. Whether you’re doing a full-blown renovation or just overseeding, they need to know what to expect, and that includes follow-up care like fertilization. Helping them understand what’s next, and delivering the goods, is what will keep them coming back year after year.