Hi NYBG Tumblr,
My family and I just recently move to NYC from Australia and enjoyed the beautiful gardens of NYBG so much that we became members. I learned that on this Tumblr I maybe able to get information on gardening etc.
My question is: We live in Weschester County, and I am attempting to manage my garden myself, as opposed to hiring gardeners. Our area occasionally gets flooded which causes our lawn to be “less than presentable”. Any key tips to managing a beautiful lawn for the DIY gardener? Any comments would be helpful. Given that this winter has been mild is it a good time to start restoring the lawn? Any suggestions of seed, food, timing and watering schedules from garden experts would be grateful.
- James
James,
Hello, welcome to New York, and thank you for being a Member! Your question is really excellent, so we posed it to the Garden’s Plant Information Specialists. Here’s what they have to say:
Your question requires several answers: To begin with let’s discuss a few lawn care basics. A great lawn requires knowing the pH and texture of your soil, as well as its organic and chemical breakdown. In Westchester County, many soils are on the acidic side, with a pH slightly below neutral. To determine the composition of your soils have a soil test done by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester.
Grass grows best in loamy soil, so depending on what your soil test finds, you may want to amend your soil with some organic matter, such as compost. A 1-2 inch layer can be raked into the soil in early spring and early fall. In addition, you may be advised to add fertilizer (try to use organic products if you can). A good idea is to use corn gluten since it feeds grass while keeping down weed growth at the same time.
As far as watering is concerned, the average lawn requires about 1-1 1/2 inches of rain per week during the growing season (April through September). So when your yard isn’t being flooded with rain you may have to water it. Aim for about three-times per week for 30 minutes to achieve the desired absorption depth of 6-8 inches.
Lawn problems can occur when correct cultural requirement are not followed. You can determine if your lawn needs thatching when it feels spongy while walking on it (which it sounds like might be happening with your lawn). If your lawn is small in size, a manual thatch machine will work well, if it is large, you might want to rent a mechanical thatching machine, or call in the professionals.
Other good practices to keep in mind include aerating your lawn and cutting grass following the one-third rule: Always cut away only one third of the grass height in a mowing. Also, you should occasionally leave your grass clippings on the lawn—raking them evenly throughout the area—to add organic matter.
Good luck!
NYBG Plant Information Specialists
Well, there you have it James! It sounds like you have your work cut out for you. Our Home Gardening Center (both online and at the Garden) is a great resource with plenty more helpful tips. Please let us know how you fare. ~ AR
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