Page 10 - Lawn & Landscape Guide AL

Inspect your landscape: The first step in controlling any pest is to first identify the pest.
Insect and Disease Control: Apply systemic insecticide for long residual control and a fungicide to help
control and prevent ornamental diseases.
Fertilize: Feed your landscape. Apply no more than 1lb of nitrogen per 1000 sqft for mature trees and shrubs.
April
Centipede, St. Augustine, & Zoysia
Mowing: April is a busy month in lawn and landscape care. Our warm season grasses are now thriving. Regular mowings should now be in full swing, about once per week. Throughout the growing season mowing heights should gradually go up. Raise your mowing height about every third mowing to allow the lawn to grow and thicken. Remember, NEVER mow more than 1/3 of the grass blade on each mowing. Mowing recommendations for April- Centipede 2.5” St. Augustine 3” (up to 4”) Zoysia 2.5”
Watering: In ideal conditions, your lawn needs between 1.5”-2” of precipitation per week. It is best to have less frequent, heavy soakings. Always water early in the morning. This allows the plant to use the water and not stay wet. Evening watering keeps the plant wetter longer (throughout the night) which fuels turf diseases. Remember, if mother nature provides the precipitation, watering may not be needed. Over-watering can quickly cause root rot.
Aerate: Aerating your warm season grass is a great cultural practice. In our area, most of our soils are heavy clay and aerating is vital. Aerating not only relieves compaction in the soil, but also allows air, water, and nutrients to get beneath the soils surface to allow your roots grow and expand. Roots MUST have oxygen to grow. Aerating allows for a thicker, healthier stand of turf grass.