Fertilizing and Maintenance
A well maintained lawn will be less likely to have problems, and the first step toward proper maintenance is fertilization. So be sure to apply the proper fertilizers at the proper times.
Has your lawn changed color even with proper fertilizing? If you’re noticing a change of color with your lawn, whether it is new sod or has been established for a while, there could be several reasons for this depending on the time of year, weather conditions, etc. Follow the helpful links as you read about lawn maintenance below.
Watering
Ninety nine percent of problems that occur especially in summer are a result of too much or too little water. It is very important to water just up to and not beyond the point of standing water any where in your lawn. It is also important to water between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. in the heat of summer. New sod will require 3 or 4 irrigations spaced out throughout this time frame while established lawns should need 1 or 2 irrigations per day in the heat.
Lack of Water
If you notice your grass turning a bluish grey color, and it does not bounce back when you walk on it, then most likely you have a very thirsty turf. You may want to check your irrigation to make sure it is working properly and covering the whole grass area. If everything looks good there, give your lawn more water. Just make sure there is no standing water when an irrigation set is finished. It would be better to add a set to avoid any puddling.
Too Much Water
If you notice your grass turning a dark brown or rust color or there is mold in any areas it is likely too much water. This can be detrimental in the heat of summer as too much water can create a fungus. Again, check your irrigation system; make sure there is no standing water at any time. You may need to switch out your nozzles with either smaller or larger nozzles for certain areas to get the water correct or simply adjust the amount of minutes of each set on your irrigation timer. If you suspect a fungus, turn the irrigation off completely and call Park Avenue Turf or a professional spray service right away. Lawns in fenced areas with little or no air movement will need to be watched closely in the heat of summer.
Click here for more lawn watering maintenance tips.
Insects
If you notice your grass turning a light brown or tan color it may be insects. There are types of worms that love the warm weather and your lawn is a perfect feeding ground for them. They will leave an irregular pattern of dead brown grass, different from the circular pattern of female dog urine. If you notice this especially between the months of May and August, apply an insecticide or call a spray service to do it for you.
Worms or Water Problem?
A good way to determine whether it is a water problem is the “butter knife test.” Take a butter knife out to a nice green area in your yard. It should go in with relative ease. Then, take it to the area you are concerned about. If it is difficult to get the knife in it’s most likely lack of water. If it goes in as easy or easier than the green area, it could be bugs (light brown), or fungus (darker brown).
In any case, if you do not feel confident that you can diagnose the problems your lawn is having, please contact Park Avenue Turf. Don’t wait for the condition to get worse before you call, we’re here to help!
Resources:
- Redding Spray Service – www.reddingspray.com
- Axner Excavating – www.axnerexcavating.com
- Nitro Green – www.nitrogreen.com
- Woods Pest Control – www.woodspestcontrol.com