September can be a great month to rejuvenate the garden and start new projects. Keep checking this blog for ideas on how to make the most of gardening in September.

Let's start with lawn renovation. Early September is a great time to get this done. At this time of year the soil is warm so seeds can germinate and roots can grow. Also there is no new crabgrass germinating, so there is one less thing to compete with your new lawn.

There are some things that must be done to successfully establish a lawn. First control existing weeds. Use a weed killer to get rid of them. If you want to kill out the whole area and start new, use a product containing glyphosate as it will kill everything in the area. If you are renovating a lawn and need to control dandelions or other broad leaf weeds, use a broadleaf weed killer made for lawns. Read the label directions carefully.

If the soil is a heavy clay, you may want to amend it with organic matter (compost, aged manure, etc) to improve the drainage and aeration. Rototil the amendments in and then smooth out the surface of the soil so the lawn is even.

When seeding, choose a good quality seed that contains more than one variety of grass. Usually different varieties have resistance to different diseases. Using more than one variety reduces disease problems. The label of the seed bag will tell you how much seed to use. Using too little seed can lead to a thin lawn, too much may lead to dense areas prone to disease. Gently rake the soil surface so that the seed makes good contact with the soil.

A newly seeded lawn will require consistent moisture. Once the seeds begin to germinate, they cannot dry out or they will die. Water shallowly 2 or 3 times a day. The watering does not have to be deep, since there are no roots yet. As root begin to form, switch from light, shallow watering to a deeper and less frequent watering.

A new lawn can be fertilized when the grass is 2 inches tall. Do not mow until the grass is about 3 inches tall and then remove only about one third of the height.

For gardening questions, call the University of Illinois Master Gardeners. In Lake County, the number is (847) 223-8627.