Spring
Apply your regular lawn fertilizer and then two weeks later follow up with a thin layer of compost or Compost Tea.
Summer
Apply .5–1 cm to slow-growing areas and water in gently. Increase your mower height to mow high, and Go Bagless.
Fall
Apply compost in September or October after fall prep work is done:
- Mow low to eliminate spring raking
- If you have a mulching mower, mow autumn leaves into the lawn
- Spread about 1-2 cm of compost over the organic layers
- Water gently
Over winter, the clippings and leaves break down, and by spring you have a healthy thatch layer and reduced compaction (break-down of the soil).
Apply extra compost in spring where the lawn has a slow start, like under spruce trees or over dog patches. Allow compost to settle in before overseeding.
Core aerating is only necessary when soil is very depleted and should be followed up immediately with compost or leaf mould and watered well. Aerating allows water to penetrate in the short term, but causes break-down of the soil in the long term, unless the holes are filled with organic matter.
Continue to Go Bagless every time you mow.