Question
Hello, I would like to know how I could assist my 90 year father to get a reasonably nice looking lawn. Last year he had a large amount of "crab grass"(rather broad leaf and almost a light fluorescent green color) He also says there are a large amount of grubs. The lawn is in Kingston N.Y Zip code 12401 this is half way between New york city and Albany "upstate N.Y.". The lawn has a large amount of clay in the soil he also has a fair amount of trees and shrubery. Any advice as to what I could apply or help the lawn on it's way would be greatly appreciated. Thank You
              Joe Celuch
            Kingston N.Y. 12401

Answer
I recommend that you apply a fertilizer w/crabgrass preventer (such as Scott's Turfbuilder with Halts) to the lawn in early spring. It should be put down very soon, within a month.

Spread the lawn fertilizer uniformly over the lawn and water in well to activate the herbicide. any crabgrass which manages to germinate, nevertheless, will be visible in early summer and can be spot treated with a spray bottle, such as weed-be-gon crabgrass preventer (weed-be-gon makes several formulations, mostly for broadleaf weeds. make sure to buy the one particularily for crabgrass). Spray on young plants in early summer, rather than late summer when the grass plants are too mature to be controlled.

Crabgrass is an annual plant which grow and set seeds in one season. the fertilizer w/crabgrass preventer will prevent the seeds from germinating. this unfortunately also prevents grass seeds from germinating, so any grass sowing should be postponed until early september.

Apply a product called GRUB-EX (pellets which are distributed like fertilizer). Apply it twice: in early spring (april) and again in mid summer (july). Water in well to activate. it should control grubs.

If lawn renovation is required, do so in september. use a seed blend which is formulated for shade.

clay soils are not a concern for lawn grasses. they grow just fine in clay.

general lawn care tips for your area:
- mow frequently and mow high. do not cut grass below 2.5-3.5" tall. mulch mow, if possible, and return clippings to the lawn.
- fertilize in early spring (march) to combat crarbgrass. then fertilize again in late may, early september and early november. do not fertilize during hot summer months. always apply to a dry lawn (e.g. grass leaves are not wet) and water in well.
- if you water manually during hot dry summer months, water infrequently, but deeply, such as once per week for 2 hours rather than 15 minutes daily.

Good luck.