The ideal healthy height of Colorado turf grasses, predominantly Kentucky bluegrass and long fescue, is 2.5”-3”. Mowing turf grass regularly at this height helps turf grass remain healthy by encouraging develop of deeper root systems. Mow the lawn frequently enough so that no more than one third of the grass blade is removed during a single mowing. IE, if maintaining the grass at a height of 3 inches, cut the grass by the time it reaches 4 inches tall. In the Rocky Mountains this will require altering the mow schedule to reflect turf growth. Ensure that mowing equipment is correctly maintained and that cutting blades are sharpened regularly. Four Seasons recommends mulch mowing. By mulch mowing mulched grass clippings can return roughly 25 to 30 percent of the needed nitrogen that grass requires to be healthy, thereby reducing fertilizer requirements.

Fertilization: Four Seasons is a certified by the State of Colorado for ornamental and turf grass applications. Fertilization of lawns should be undertaken by with an understanding of what has been applied to the lawn previously, irrigation schedule and in some cases a soils test. We broadly recommend three fertilizations a season:

> Spring Weed and feed application containing a pre-emergent.
> Mid Summer application of nitrogen and iron
> Fall Is the ideal time to get the most out of your fertilization of bluegrass turf by promoting a healthier root system and a turf that greens up earlier in the spring.

Irrigation in our dry climate is critical to a healthy turf. The variety of seasons our area can experience in a day highlights the difficulties of correct irrigation throughout a season. Be aware of turf dehydration signs:

1) Stage 1: grass has a purplish tint;
2) Stage 2: blades turn steel gray and foot prints are left when walked upon; and
3) Stage 3: grass blades turn straw color.

Over watering can cause its own issues. The most cost efficient way of staying on top of irrigation issues with your turf grass is to regular monitor the system.
Keeping grass longer during the heat of summer will reduce water needs. Remember to decrease irrigation when implementing this practice.

Aerate the lawn in the spring or fall to obtain these benefits:

• Improving water penetration into compacted soils and through thatch and mat layers.
• Improving fertilizer movement to the turf roots.
• Allowing greater levels of oxygen to reach the soil in exchange for carbon dioxide and other gases.
• Enhancing turfgrass shoot and root development.
Avoid aerating when temperatures exceed 85F for more than a couple of days.

Best results are obtained when the turf soil is moist allowing for deep penetration of 2-3”. Cores plugs should be left on the lawn, allowing them to break down back into the grass. Fertilization and seeding can take place after aeration. There is no need to top dress lawns following aeration.

Thatching is typically not an issue in our climate, however if thatch deeper than ½ inch is present, aerate the lawn with a core-aerator to allow grass penetration into the root zone and water infiltration. Minimize thatch development by mowing frequently, avoiding overwatering, preventing over fertilization and aerating the lawn.

As a State licensensed applicator Four Seasons uses an Integrated Pest Management and Plant Health Care  approach, using experience and a variety of management tools (history, scouting, monitoring, scheduling of applications, targeted pesticide application) to combat noxious weeds. Weed Control in a lawn is ideally taken care of through maintaining a healthy turf. Healthy turf will choke out the majority of noxious weeds. Due to our harsh winter and inconsistent rain fall, irrigation systems may not be able to be activated in the early spring allowing for some weeds to get established, particularly dandelion. An early application of a weed and feed fertilization will encourage healthy turf growth and inhibit weeds. The pros and cons of various tools to combat turf weeds should be weighed and used in an integrated manner to achieve weed control objectives in a safe, effective and cost-effective manner.

Four Seasons sod installation is based on providing our clients with turf that is an integral part of the landscape and valuable asset to their property. We do this through an understanding of sod grass, soils, sunlight and maintenance.

Our planning process takes into account grading, drainage, weed and weed seed issues, soil amendment or importation of amended soils. Turf Installation requires correct timing, avoiding frozen ground or periods of extended heat. A strong healthy weed free turf that is installed within 36 hours of being cut, laid tightly with staggered joints and correctly watering in, preferably with automated irrigation system. Maintenance of the turf includes monitoring of the watering until the turf is established. Once the sod is established (this changes pending the site and environment) in around 10 days it should be mown to a height of 2.5”-3” using the correct equipment with sharp blades. All of these turf grass installation scopes are performed by Four Seasons, from excavation through irrigation system design and installation to maintenance of your lawn.