by Pamm Cooper, Turf Program Educator
1. Higher mowing heights promote stronger deeper roots, resulting in less watering. We recommend 3” or higher. Mow no more than 1/3 of the grass blades at a time — in spring this may mean mowing twice a week, depending upon grass species.
2. Use slow-release (organic or synthetic) fertilizers in spring (May) and early fall (September).
3. Do not fertilize lawn grasses in summer unless you have zoysiagrass (a warm-season grass). Summer fertilization of other grass species encourages diseases and reduces root growth.
4. Preventive crabgrass herbicides must be applied around forsythia bloom, but before lilac bloom, and the soil surface should not be disturbed after watering in. Do not use a preventive crabgrass killer with new seedings – it will kill the new grass seedlings as well as the weeds.
5. When using imidacloprid for grub control, it must be watered into the root zone in mid- June, so it can be translocated in the plant by August, when the grubs hatch in the soil.
6. Systemic insecticides will not be effective if applied in the late summer or early fall.
7. Fall seeding of tall fescues is best, as it has until next summer for its roots to grow deep, this increases endurance to summer stress.
8. Water lawns, if at all, deeply and less often to a depth of 6 inches, if needed during periods of no rainfall. Water in morning, before 9:00 or in the evening as dew forms on the leaves. The blades should be dry as long as possible during the day to reduce disease opportunities from developing. Fescue require less watering than bluegrasses or ryegrasses. Consider allowing lawns to go dormant under drought periods.
9. Lime can be applied at any time of year as long as the ground is not frozen, but fall is best as frost heave will work it into the soil.
10. Have a soil test done every three years if the pH is known to be acceptable. If using organic fertilizers or compost, soil test for phosphorus (P) every year. Large rates of compost can raise soil P levels above that considered an environmental threat.
You will have an attractive lawn if you follow the 10 actions to a healthy lawn
