Seasonal Tips

Summer Watering Recommendations

LAWN

Water deeply to encourage deep root growth.  Proper watering practices encourage roots to grow deeper, promoting a greener, healthier lawn.

Irrigation sprinkler system: 15-20 minutes per section every other day.

Manual sprinklers: 25-30 minutes per section 3 days per week.

Watering early in the morning between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. is ideal.

These recommendations are just a guideline.  Your lawn may need more or less water depending on weather, soil conditions/type, wind conditions, shade, etc.  Irrigation sprinkler heads need periodic adjustment and/or repair so it is a good idea to check them to be sure they are providing proper coverage.

TREES & SHRUBS

WHERE? From the drip line (outside diameter form by the limbs of the tree or shrub) out 1-2 times further, not close to the trunk.

HOW OFTEN?

When temperatures are average once a week is usually adequate. When it’s above 80 degrees for an extended period (a week or more) and especially if it’s windy as well, twice per week for shrubs may be needed. If you notice wilting try to give them more water.

HOW LONG?

Most tree and shrub feeder roots, which absorb nutrients and moisture are less than 4 inches deep. Check the soil to see how long it takes to get moisture 3-4 inches into the soil (a screwdriver works fine). If you’re having trouble getting the water to penetrate the soil try a soaker hose.

Summer Mowing Suggestions

Mowing height should be a minimum of 3 1/2 inches but can be reduced when the weather cools down again.  It is best to change the direction of your mowing pattern each time you mow.  Mowing in the same pattern time after time can cause ruts in your lawn and diminish it’s overall appearance.  Do not mow more than one third of the grass blade off in any one mowing.  Mowing off too much at one time can cause browning.  By keeping mower blades sharp, you prevent ‘ripping’ the tips of the grass blades which helps with disease resistance.

What is Leaf Spot Melting Out?

 It first appears as light green or purplish, unevenly growing areas, fading to tan and then a light straw color.

 In the later stages green, live grass in the middle of straw colored patches (the FROG-EYE effect) is characteristic of the disease.

 When active, the effected turf can show tire tracks from mowing and even footprints as the spores are physically moved around the lawn and infect new areas.

 A normal fertilizer application will, at first, accelerate the disease. Although this makes your lawn look worse at first, it actually helps by speeding the disease through its life cycle, and also makes the unaffected grass more disease resistant.

What causes it?

 Unusual stress to the turf (heat/drought)

 The spores for leaf spot can be moved in many ways: water, mowers, foot traffic, composting, possibly even airflow (wind).

 When conditions of high (85 degrees +) daytime temperatures followed by cool (55-65 degrees) overnight temperatures combined with adequate available moisture, the disease can progress into the destructive melting out phase.

 Excessive dew on lawn, shade areas and lack of airflow are all contributing vectors.

Contact our office if you think your lawn may be affected by this disease. The sooner we treat the disease, the less damage it will cause.

Re-seeding Instructions

Make sure the soil is broken up to a depth of about 1 or 2 inches (a stiff rake works well).

Purchase good quality, sun blend or shade blend, rye grass fescue mix grass seed (about 10 pounds for every 1,000 square feet to be seeded).

After the soil is broken up, level soil and sprinkle seed evenly over bare areas so it has a good coating – little or no dirt showing through.

Top-dress all seeded areas with ¾” – 1” of turf mulch (or straw) – this greatly increases the percentage of seed that actually germinates.

Do not let peat moss dry out – best watering is 10 – 15 minutes in the morning and another 10 – 15 minutes in late afternoon. If kept moist, you should see grass in 7 to 14 days

Avoid mowing re-seeded areas until new grass has become visible and has grown to 3” or 4” of height