In the News - August 2008
Taking care of your lawn this fall
LITTLE ROCK - The hot, muggy days of summer have many Arkansans looking
forward to fall. As the temperatures cool and daylight hours shorten, homeowners
need to make adjustments in their lawn care practices to keep their lawns green
and healthy.
Dr. Aaron Patton, extension turfgrass specialist and assistant professor for
the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, said, "Fall lawn care
practices will vary depending on the type of lawn grass - specifically whether it
is a warm-season or cool-season grass." The first step of proper fall lawn care
is to determine the type or types of turfgrass found in the lawn.
Cool-season grasses such as tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass grow best in
the spring or fall, when the temperatures are cooler. Warm-season grasses like
bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, and St. Augustinegrass have little growth in the fall
once night-time temperatures begin to fall below 50 degrees F. Regardless of the
type of turfgrass, the following basic maintenance tasks can help protect fall
lawns:
- Mowing
- Fertilizing
- Watering
- Weed control
"Fall is a slow time for warm-season lawn maintenance and a busier time for
cool-season lawn maintenance," said Patton. For both cool-season and warm-season
grasses, Patton recommended mowing lawns every five to seven days with a sharp
mower blade. During times of drought-stress, lawns should be mowed less
frequently.
"Cool-season grass lawns should be fertilized with 1.0 pound of actual
nitrogen (N) per thousand square feet in mid-September and again in October,"
advised Patton. To determine the amount of fertilizer required to apply one
pound of nitrogen per thousand square feet, divide one by the first number
(adding a decimal before it) in the fertilizer ratio. For example, for a 10-5-5
fertilizer, divide 1 by 0.10. The result is one pound of product per thousand
square feet. The numbers in the fertilizer analysis represent the percent total
nitrogen, percent available phosphorus and the percent soluble potassium.
In addition to proper fertilization, cool-season grass fall lawns may have
additional phosphorus and potassium requirements, both of which can be
determined through a soil test. Patton said, "Homeowners should submit soil
samples to their county Extension office to determine specific phosphorus and
potassium requirements. Lime may also be applied, if recommended."
Fertilization requirements for warm-season grasses vary from those for
cool-season grasses. Patton said, "Don’t apply more than a half pound of
nitrogen per thousand feet in September, four to six weeks before the first
expected frost. Try to find a fertilizer that contains iron, which will extend
color into the fall."
"Irrigation of cool-season lawns will often be necessary in September but
will be needed infrequently for the remainder of the fall," said Patton.
For warm-season grasses, irrigation is seldom needed during the fall except
on newly-sodded areas or in dry, hot, windy conditions. "A bluish-gray color,
foot-printing and wilted, folded or curled leaves indicate that it is time to
water your warm-season grass lawn," said Patton. Newly-planted sod should also
be watered during the fall to prevent it from drying out.
Cool-season lawns can be renovated for the fall by overseeding thin, bare
areas as grass begins to respond to cooler temperatures in September and early
October. Patton said, "Use a blend of tall fescue cultivars at eight to 10
pounds per thousand square feet. Apply a starter-type fertilizer at the time of
seeding, if soil tests indicate a need."
Patton suggested that homeowners with cool-season grass lawns apply broadleaf
herbicides to control dandelions and other weeds as needed. However, Patton
cautioned, "Some herbicides may affect newly-seeded turf. Don’t apply two-way or
three-way post-emergence, broadleaf herbicides containing 2,4-D dicamba,
mecoprop or triclopyr until seedlings have been mowed at least three times."
Patton advised homeowners not to apply herbicides designed to control annual
warm-season grasses, such as bluegrass, if the lawn is to be over-seeded with
ryegrass during the fall.
Patton recommends that homeowners with fall lawn care concerns refer to
publications found on the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville turfgrass Web
site at: http://turf.uark.edu/. By
selecting the Publications link, users can
access several Do-it-Yourself publications and fact sheets on lawn care.
More information about lawn care can be found by visiting
www.uaex.edu or by
contacting your county extension agent. The Cooperative Extension Service is
part of the U of A Division of Agriculture.
August 29, 2008
By Rebecca Norman
For the Cooperative Extension Service
Media Contact: Lamar James
Extension Communications Specialist
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2187 or (501) 753-0207
ljames@uaex.edu
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