Turf-Notes and Clips

September:


Apply a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent weeds in your turfgrass this winter. Portrait is excellent for broadleaf weed control, but a Crabgrass preventer with Dimension tends to minimize both broadleaf weeds as well as annual unwanted grassy weeds. The product Amaze or XL-2G, is an excellent pre-emergent herbicide in flower beds for weed control prevention. Always read and follow label instructions.





Cut way back on the lawn irrigation this month to avoid brown patch. If you already have brown patch or other diseases in the lawn, treat it with a fungicide.





October:


Fertilization:


This equates to about 5-7 lbs. of a 15-19% nitrogen manufactured mix or 23 lbs of 4 % organic mix per 1,000 square feet. The nutrients will be stored for a fast start in the spring. Be sure it says "Winterizer" on the bag.





Winter:


Irrigation:


Lawns need at least one inch of water every fourteen days, if no rain is in the forecast.





Aerate Lawns and apply top dressing of compost.



March:



Tune up your lawnmower, and be sure the blade is properly sharpened. A properly sharpened lawn mower blade cuts the grass, a dull blade tears the grass blades



April

Fertilization:

Mow your lawn at least two times or wait until April 15. After that time, consider applying a fertilizer with a 3-1-2, 4-1-2 or19-5-9 ratio.



If your lawn is a little yellow (chlorotic), use six tablespoons of iron sulfate dissolved in one gallon of water used as a spray. It will green your lawn up fast. Use green sand later, as a long term preventative in late April and again in mid-October



May

Seeding a Bermuda lawn. (Early May)

If you are starting a new Bermuda grass lawn, use 2-3 lbs. of seed per 1,000 sq. ft. on well-prepared soil and water twice a day.

Brownpatch Link:
http://www.apsnet.org/education/LessonsPlantPath/Rhizoctonia/default.htm