LEAF IT! -
Growing a Lush Turf by filling in Bare Spots in the Autumn

Most of us would like our lawns to be weed-free, thick and green. The simplest, fastest and least expensive way to achieve a better lawn is to plant grass seed. A full, thick lawn will minimize weeds and in turn save time and expense.

The best time to plant grass seed is in the autumn, because new grass grows better in cooler temperatures. When spring comes, the grass will have had a head start, with the root structure in place to grow to maturity.

In the autumn, the crabgrass and other annual weeds die. It is best to remove such weeds and plant grass seed in the void. The new grass will help prevent new weeds from developing. Most weed-killer chemicals do not allow planting of new grass for about 2 months which is why physical removal of weeds is necessary.

The most obvious places to plant new grass is in thinning or bare areas in the lawn.Planting grass in these areas will markedly transform the lawn into a pleasing and healthy turf.

There was a problem with this strategy, however. The main problem that thwarts the growth of new grass in the autumn is falling leaves. Fallen leaves will find their way into the voids (thin or bare spots) of the lawn and smother baby grass. In addition, accumulation of leaves over the course of the autumn will tend to smother and kill grass if leaves are not removed.

In 1998, a new product called LEAF IT®/™ was developed; a type of netting, which is placed over portions of the lawn where leaf accumulation is heaviest, and where new grass has been sown.

When the LEAF IT®/™ netting is properly placed, fallen leaves will not impede growth of new grass, and mature grass will not be smothered (unless left for a prolonged period of time).

In addition, when it comes time to remove the leaves, leave the rake or leaf blower in the garage. Pick up the netting (with the leaves), or roll up the netting and dispose of it as if you were disposing of a yard debris bag.

LEAF IT®/™ (think of Leave It), saves time, money (if you hire someone to remove your leaves) and effort. Further, you need not to wait for dry leaf conditions, since wet leaves are removed as effortlessly as dry ones.