Page 38 - 4EVERGREEN_ARTOFMOWING_L&L

SEPTEMBER
Warm Season Turf: Bermuda and Zoysia
• Mowing: Cool temperatures are around the corner and our warm season grasses are beginning to slow down a bit. Remember, never cut more than 1/3 of the grass blade on each mowing. Do not scalp the lawn. Mow at a height of at least 4”. Never cut more than 1/3 of your grass blade on each cutting.
• Watering: : In ideal conditions, your lawn needs 2” of precipitation during the growing season per week. It is best to have less frequent, heavy soakings. This can come from rainfall or other means of irrigation. Do NOT overwater. This can be more detrimental than of lack of precipitation.
• Fertilizer: No More Nitrogen. It’s a great time to fertilize your lawn but not with high nitrogen. Lawns are beginning to prepare for the cooler months so applying potassium would help good root strength before winter. Check your soil analysis to make sure you need the potassium.
• Pre-Emergent: Fall Pre-emergent can be applied now and are great to catch some early germinating weeds such as Poa Annua. The key to pre-emergent applications is to apply it early before the weeds germinate.
• Post-Emergent: With a change in temperatures, so comes a change in weeds. Winter annuals and some other perennials will germinate as conditions line up. Selective post-emergent applications can be applied as needed for weeds that are active.
• Fungicide: Apply fungicide for turf diseases. Lawn diseases, such as Spring Dead Spot (SDS), are best controlled by applying a fungicide in early Fall.
Cool Season Turf
• Mowing: Cool season grasses, such as Fescue and Ryegrass, are becoming active once again. Keep the mowing height high until right before seeding in mid-late September. Just before seeding, mow the lawn down an extra inch (2”-2.5”) to open up the soil to more sunlight. Never cut more than 1/3 of your grass blade on each cutting.
• Watering: : In ideal conditions, your lawn needs 2” of precipitation during the growing season per week. It is best to have less frequent, heavy soakings. This can come from rainfall or other means of irrigation. Do NOT overwater. This can be more detrimental than of lack of precipitation.
• Aerate: Aerate your cool season lawn. This relieves compaction in the lawn and allows air, water, and nutrients to get beneath the soil surface. When over-seeding, breaking up the soil helps new seed germinate better due to extra soil contact.