Lawn and Turf Care Products
Gateway Home & Garden Center carries a full line of turf care products to help you keep your home looking great from the outside.
Gateway Home & Garden Turf Care Program
Not only do we have the products that will keep your lawn the envy of the neighborhood, but we can also help you plan the treatments, application, seeding and care. Our turf care program provides a step by step program to help deliver the best possible turf results. We can also recommend which annuals and perennials would work best with your landscape.
Steps to Take For Proper Turf Care
When grass is growing, you should be mowing regularly. In the northern Virginia area, growing season for grass is from about April through July and September through early November (maybe later depending on warm spells in November). During this time, there will be opportunities to treat your lawn (along with Trees, Shrubs and Bushes ) too. Just be sure that you are providing the right amounts of water and careful to only mow when appropriate after treating your lawn.
Before mowing, be sure to rake up any places where old clippings have matted down. When you mow, you don’t need to bag, though it’s fine if you do. If you are using a mulching mower, the grass clippings are cut into much smaller pieces and left on the lawn. As the clippings break down it can add nutrients and help you’re lawn become more beautiful.
During the hot season – usually late July and August – lawns in northern Virginia may often go dormant. It’s okay to not mow during this time and you should leave it a bit longer if possible, as it will help protect the roots during dry weather. As soon as the weather breaks at the end of the summer and a bit of rain comes your lawn will spring back to life.
The amount and type of fertilizer and treatments you provide for your lawn depends a lot on how rich and fertile the soil is in which your turf grows. In the Spring and Fall, during planting season for grass, is a good time to add soil amendments and over seed to produce the best outcome.
Keeping a healthy lawn requires year-round maintenance, with different tasks for each season. Here’s a seasonal guide to lawn care:
Winter Lawn Care (Dec–Feb) ✅ Minimize Traffic – Avoid walking on dormant grass to prevent compaction.Clear Debris – Remove leaves, sticks, and any clutter to prevent mold and pests.Plan for Spring – Research fertilizers, aeration, and seeding schedules.Monitor for Snow Mold – If you get heavy snow, watch for circular gray or pink patches.
Spring Lawn Care (Mar–May) 🌱 Rake & Dethatch – Remove dead grass and thatch buildup to allow air circulation.Aerate if Needed – If your soil is compacted, aeration helps nutrients reach the roots.Overseed Thin Areas – Plant grass seed to fill bare patches.Apply Pre-Emergent Weed Control – Prevent crabgrass and other weeds before they sprout.Start Mowing – Once the grass starts growing, keep it at 2.5–3 inches tall.
Summer Lawn Care (Jun–Aug) ☀️ Water Deeply & Early – 1–1.5 inches per week, ideally in the early morning.Mow High – Keep grass longer (around 3 inches) to shade roots and retain moisture.Sharpen Mower Blades – Dull blades tear grass, causing stress and disease.Control Weeds & Pests – Apply post-emergent weed killers if necessary.Fertilize Lightly – Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can burn grass in high heat.
Fall Lawn Care (Sep–Nov) 🍂 Keep Mowing – Gradually lower your mower height as the season cools.Aerate & Overseed – Fall is the best time to aerate and plant new grass seed.Fertilize for Winter – Apply a slow-release fertilizer to strengthen roots.Remove Leaves Promptly – Wet leaves can cause fungal diseases and suffocate grass.Winterize Equipment – Clean and store tools properly before winter.
Lawn care in Northern Virginia follows the general seasonal guidelines but should be tailored to the region’s cool-season grasses like Tall Fescue, Kentucky Bluegrass, and Perennial Ryegrass . These grasses thrive in cooler temperatures but struggle in hot, humid summers. Here’s a localized guide:
Winter Lawn Care (Dec–Feb) – Preparation & Protection ✔️ Avoid walking on frozen grass – This prevents damage to the brittle blades.Keep it clean – Remove leaves and debris to prevent mold and pests.Monitor for snow mold – If we get heavy snow, rake matted areas when it melts.Plan for spring – Research seed types, fertilizers, and aeration services.
Spring Lawn Care (Mar–May) – Recovery & Growth 🌱 Dethatch & Rake – Clear out winter debris and dead grass to improve airflow.Aerate if needed – If the soil is compacted, core aeration helps nutrients reach roots.Overseed in early spring (if needed) – Fill in thin patches, especially with Tall Fescue.Apply Pre-Emergent Herbicide (Late Feb–Early April) – Prevent crabgrass and weeds before they sprout.Fertilize Lightly (Mid–Late Spring) – Use a slow-release fertilizer to promote steady growth.Start Mowing (3–3.5 inches high) – Don’t cut too short; taller grass develops stronger roots.
Summer Lawn Care (Jun–Aug) – Stress Prevention 🔥 Water Deeply & Infrequently – 1–1.5 inches per week, early in the morning to reduce evaporation.Raise Mower Height (3.5–4 inches) – Taller grass shades the soil and prevents moisture loss.Mow Less Frequently – Only cut when necessary to reduce stress on the grass.Fertilize Lightly (if at all) – Excess nitrogen can burn the lawn in summer heat.Spot-Treat Weeds & Pests – Target weeds individually rather than using broad herbicides.Minimize Foot Traffic – Lawns are more vulnerable in high heat and drought.
Fall Lawn Care (Sep–Nov) – Prime Growing Season 🍂 Aerate & Overseed (Late Aug–Mid Oct) – The best time for core aeration and seeding Tall Fescue.Apply Starter Fertilizer with Seed – Helps young grass establish strong roots.Apply Fall Fertilizer (Mid–Late October) – A high-phosphorus blend strengthens roots for winter.Keep Mowing (Lower Gradually to 2.5 inches by late fall) – Prevents snow mold and disease.Remove Leaves Quickly – A thick layer blocks sunlight and traps moisture, leading to disease.
Special Notes for Northern Virginia: Best Grass Type: Tall Fescue is ideal due to its drought tolerance and durability.Pre-Emergent Timing: Apply in late February–early April to block crabgrass.Fall is Your Best Friend: Overseeding and aerating in fall is the #1 way to keep a lush lawn year-round.Water Restrictions: Check local regulations, as droughts may limit watering during summer.
Gateway Home & Garden Center has the landscaping materials and expertise you need to take care of your lawn and make it as beautiful as it can be. Come by and talk to our staff about what’s right for your yard.
