Hi Chris! Hard for me to tell from this picture, easier for you with the turf in your hand. If the thatch is more than 1/2" thick, consider dethatching / power raking. Less than 1/2" is fine. Since you have applied your pre emergent, dethatching would void the barrier that the herbicide formed. Wait until Labor Day - apply preM again after dethatching to prevent poa annua. (I have no confidence in that Craftsman, BTW) Yes, too much nitrogen, especially applied too early in the season, will cause excessive thatch. Also excessive shallow watering will too. Do get your sprinkler set properly. We suggest tuna cans because of the 1" walls. (easy and convenient - if you like tuna, LOL!) Set out several in 1 zone. Turn water on to that zone only and time how long it takes to get 1" of water. Move to each zone repeating this. Sometimes water pressure is different in separate zones. Best to check now while doing the initial testing. Make notes if zones differ and adjust time accordingly. Give it time to fully wake up. After you have mowed a couple of times, apply your fertilizer. If you haven't purchased it yet, ask for something with iron included. >"we were told by the lawn service that the previous owners 'fertilized like crazy' " You really should consider a soil test. UMASS does a great test for only $13 and accepts non-residents. Get test *C* "Standard Soil Test w/ Organic Matter" which include the standard nutrients like N-P-K, micronutrients like iron and organic matter also. Your soil's pH is directly linked to how green the grass can be and you may be sitting on a phosphorous / calcium mine :-) See link below. Here is a link that might be useful: UMASS soil testing link

UMass Extension just sent out an email concerning the ALB. Serious action being taken. Claire From: eweeks@umext.umass.edu Subject: Asian Longhorned Beetle found in Massachusetts Date: August 15, 2008 4:54:19 PM EDT To: greeninfo-all@umext.umass.edu From UMass Extension: Asian Longhorned Beetle found in Massachusetts The Asian Longhorned Beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) has been positively identified in an infestation in the Greendale section (northeast sector) of Worcester, MA. Personnel from the USDA PPQ and Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) inspected the site on Saturday August 2, 2008 and discovered the infestation. The inspection was prompted by the keen observations and persistence of a local resident who suspected the presence of this exotic invader. Positive verification occurred on Tuesday (8/5/08) from the authority at the USDA Systematic Entomology Laboratory in Beltsville, MD. The USDA APHIS and Forest Service, MDCR and MDAR have been meeting frequently with Worcester City officials to formulate the plan for the management and eradication of this pest population. A press conference was held in Worcester late Wednesday (8/6/08) to announce the find. As result of the detection, portions of Worcester and portions of the towns of Shrewsbury, Boylston, West Boylston, and Holden are now a regulated area for the movement of woody plant material. A Federal Order will be issued soon that parallels the state regulated area. As part of the process of eradicating the ALB from Worcester, the movement of woody debris, lumber, firewood, and nursery stock that could host ALB infestations will need to be contained. This will keep the beetle from moving via human transport. Companies that work with host material will be contacted by officials. Only cursory surveys have been conducted thus far and the exact area regulated would change if more infested trees are found. Organized and thorough survey work will begin soon. The estimation, right now at least, for how long this beetle may have been active at this location is thought to be 5 years given its range and visible damage. Affected trees will be cut down and either chipped or burned in the regulated area. This will not begin until after the first hard frost kills any remaining adult beetles. To take trees down before the hard frost risks spreading the infestation. This is a sound practice, as adult beetles tend to stay on the same tree unless that tree is severely infested. Once the exact details of the federal quarantine are published a link will appear at this web site (www.umassgreeninfo.org). UMass Extension will remain on the forefront for the dissemination of information as it becomes available. MDAR will continue to respond to any reports of suspected new findings and the City of Worcester has set up a Hotline FAQ , see below: Resources for Asian Longhorned Beetle Information in Massachusetts o Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Report ALB sightings at: www.massnrc.org/pests/albreport.aspx or call 6176261779 (Pest Alert Hotline) o City of Worcester: Office of the City Manager http://www.ci.worcester.ma.us/cmo/beetles.htm 5089291300 o UMass Extension www.umassgreeninfo.org Ellen Weeks UMass Extension Landscape/Nursery/Urban Forestry Program French Hall 230 Stockbridge Rd. Amherst, MA 01003 Tel. (413) 545-2685 Fax. (413) 577-1620 www.UMassGreenInfo.org _______________________________________________

Signs of the times. Real or invented some are funny. Sign over a Gynecologist's Office "Dr. Jones, at your cervix." ---------------------------------------- In a Podiatrist's office: "Time wounds all heels." ---------------------------------------- On a Septic Tank Truck in Oregon: "Yesterday's Meals on Wheels" ---------------------------------------- On another Septic Tank Truck: "We're #1 in the #2 business" ---------------------------------------- At a Proctologist's door: "To expedite your visit please back in." ---------------------------------------- On a Plumber's truck: "We repair what your husband fixed." ---------------------------------------- On another Plumber's truck: "Don't sleep with a drip. Call your plumber." ---------------------------------------- On a Church's Billboard: "7 days without God makes one weak." ---------------------------------------- At a Tire Shop in Milwaukee: "Invite us to your next blowout." ---------------------------------------- On a Plastic Surgeon's Office door: "Hello. Can we pick your nose?" ---------------------------------------- At a Towing company: "We don't charge an arm and a leg. We want tows." ---------------------------------------- On an Electrician's truck: "Let us remove your shorts." ---------------------------------------- In a Nonsmoking Area: "If we see smoke, we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate action." ---------------------------------------- On a Maternity Room door: "Push. Push. Push." ---------------------------------------- At an Optometrist's Office : "If you don't see what you're looking for, you've come to the right place." ---------------------------------------- On a Taxidermist's window: "We really know our stuff." ---------------------------------------- On a Fence: "Salesmen welcome! Dog food is expensive!" ---------------------------------------- At a Car Dealership: "The best way to get back on your feet - miss a car payment." ---------------------------------------- Outside a Muffler Shop: "No appointment necessary. We hear you coming." ---------------------------------------- In a Veterinarian's waiting room: "Be back in 5 minutes. Sit! Stay!" ---------------------------------------- At the Electric Company : "We would be delighted if you send in your payment. However, if you don't, you will be." ---------------------------------------- In a Restaurant window : "Don't stand there and be hungry. Come on in and get fed up." ---------------------------------------- In the front yard of a Funeral Home : "Drive carefully. We'll wait." ---------------------------------------- At a Propane Filling Station , "Thank heaven for little grills." ---------------------------------------- Chicago Radiator Shop: "Best place in town to take a leak."

Similar kinds of things I am aware of or involved with in Philadelphia, Cleveland, and locally where I live in the Lehigh Valley. For example, there's a group I know of where a woman is donating her large property for the youth group of her church to grow food to donate to the local food pantry and also the United Way there is attempting to coordinate home gardeners to be able to donate excess produce to the needy (the big issues with donations are always storage and distribution). Like I said in that other article that got pulled for whatever reason, where there's a will there's a way. It's great work to be involved with! Here is a link that might be useful: Gardens of Giving in Saylorsburg, PA