1. Northwest Lawn Calendar
JAN
Stay off frozen grass
Maintain tools
FEB
Mow monthly, Mulch
MAR
Thatch & Aerate every 4th yr.
Overseed as needed with perennial
rye and fine or creeping fescue.
Mow weekly
APR
15th - Fertilize 3-1-2, 1 lb N / 1000
sq ft (ok to skip)
Mow 2x per week, Bag
MAY
JUN
1st - Fertilize 3-1-2, 1 lb N / 1000
sq ft
JUL
Water weekly, 1in/wk
Mow weekly, Mulch, OR
Ignore and let go dormant 
AUG
Stay off dry brittle grass
SEP
OCT
Mow 2x per month, Mulch
NOV
15th - Fertilize 3-1-2, 1 lb N / 1000 sq ft
DEC
Stay off wet mushy grass
3/16/2008 agw

2. Lawn Care Summary
Fertilize 4 times per year with 3:1:2, using 4 lb N / 1000 sq ft / yr
Mow weekly at 1.5” to 2”. Remove top third
Water 1” per week, as needed, or not at all.
To plant a new lawn – get a book & follow directions
Use Perennial Rye Grass and Fine Fescue
To Renovate a lawn – get a book & follow directions
Disease Management – repeat (1,2,3) above

3. Typical Fertilizer Package Labeling
Lawn Fertilizer
Rules:
Apply four pounds nitrogen per thousand square feet per year
4 Lb / 1000 SqFt / Yr
Buy Fertilizer with a 3:1:2 ratio of N:P:K (N is for Nitrogen)
Fairly Simple Formula:
Annual Pounds of Fertilizer = Sq Ft / The First Number / 2.5
Typical Fertilizer Package Labeling
King County Master Gardener Lawns Training 2007 Austin Watson

4. Lawn Fertilizer Calculator (Quarts)
Instructions: Follow steps, 1, 2, 3, to look up your quarterly lawn fertilizer needs in quarts.
QUARTS is easier than pounds!
King County Master Gardener Lawns Training 2007 Austin Watson

5. Planting a New NW Lawn
Plan so you plant during the optimum time of the year
Mid August to mid September or mid May to mid June as a second choice
Till and rough grade existing soil.
Use existing soil when feasible.
Till in Lime or other amendments if needed.
Add amendments or imported soil at this time, spread as a layer.
Finish grade via raking and rolling to produce a uniform profile with a firm surface.
Apply pre-planting fertilizer high in Nitrogen.
Apply seed with a drop seeder, or by hand and lightly rake it in.
Apply no more than ¼ inch of mulch with wire basket mulch roller, or by hand.
Irrigate site thoroughly at first and then with light repeat applications.
Keep seedbed moist but not saturated for 1 to 2 weeks.
Reduce frequency of irrigation after germination occurs.
Mow as soon as there is grass to cut at about three weeks after planting.
Fertilize with Nitrogen based fertilizer about 4 to 6 weeks after planting.
Sit back and enjoy your new lawn!
King County Master Gardener Lawns Training 2007 Austin Watson

6. Northwest Lawn References
WSU Master Gardener Bulletins
EM Sustainable Gardening, Chapter 12
EB0482 – Home Lawns (and many other EB’s)
Books (available at King County Library)
Sunset Western Garden Book
Lawn Care For Dummies ISBN
The Lawn Bible ISBN
The Internet