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Spring may not be here yet, but it is
in the air, and now may be a good
time to prepare any lawn areas you
may have for the upcoming growing season
and dry summer months.
Spring lawn fertilizer is a vital part of a
comprehensive lawn maintenance program,
but you must pay careful attention
to the type of fertilizer you use and how
much you apply.
The primary reason spring lawn care is
important is to prepare the lawn for the
dehydrating months of summer. Many
grass types need to establish a strong and
sturdy root system in the spring to endure
the harsh conditions of summer; therefore,
a lawn needs tender loving care as the
spring approaches.
According to LawnCare.net, spring
lawn fertilizer is highly beneficial if the
right amount is applied to the lawn.
Achieving a healthy lawn requires ongoing
maintenance. Think of it as a person who exercises frequently and regularly as
likely to be healthier than someone who
only works out vigorously during particular
periods of the year.
The same is true for lawn care. While
spring lawn fertilizer and maintenance is
an important step in obtaining a beautiful
lawn, a lawn must be nurtured throughout
the year.
Too Much Not a Good Thing
Oftentimes, people get ‘fertilizer
happy’ when it comes to feeding their
lawn. While they have good intentions-to
obtain an incredibly green lawn, too much
fertilizer isn’t always a good thing, especially
in the spring. An excessive amount
of spring lawn fertilizer can cause weed
growth and disease.
In addition to limiting the amount of
spring lawn fertilizer you apply to your
lawn, it’s also important that you do not
apply the fertilizer at the very start of spring. Many are eager to get outside
and begin yard work immediately,
but early spring fertilization
can actually defeat the purpose of
feeding your lawn.
Although the lawn will develop
into a beautiful green color
after application, fertilizing it too
early in the spring encourages top
growth and thus, damages the
root system. If the roots of a lawn
are fragile and weak, they’re less
likely to withstand the dry and hot
conditions of summer. What’s
more, the spring lawn fertilizer
you choose should include less nitrogen
and more phosphorous to
promote strong and healthy roots.
Planting a drought resistant
lawn is an important consideration.
In many areas of the United States,
water restrictions are becoming
more common. Getting enough
rain to sustain a lawn without irrigation
is not guaranteed, but that
doesn’t mean that your lawn has
to succumb to drought or go dormant.
It is possible to plant a
drought resistant lawn.
Start with the Soil
You can avoid many future lawn problems
by starting with good soil, or amending
the soil you have. The soil is one of
the biggest factors in lawn health, because
it holds the water, nutrients and oxygen in
the root zone that plants need.
A soil with poor structure, nutrient
holding capacity or poor drainage won’t
be a good place for plants to grow, including
lawn grass. Before planting a
new lawn, add a compost/topsoil mix to
the area in which you will be planting.
Also, test the soil to make sure that the
pH isn’t too high or too low. If it is too
high, add sulfur. If it is too low, add
lime.
Select a Drought
Tolerant Grass Variety
The next most important factor in planting
a drought-tolerant lawn is selecting the
grass variety. There are some species of
grass that are just intrinsically drought tolerant,
and others that are not. The right
grass variety for you depends on your location
and the amount of sun the grass
will get, but, in general, these are consistent
drought-tolerant grass types: Fescues (for cool season grasses); and
Bahia, centipede and zoysia (for warm
season grasses).
Timing the Lawn Installation
When you first install a lawn, you want
to encourage root growth above all else.
A solid root system will support the grass
as it grows and spreads. In many areas,
fall is the best time to install a new lawn.
The daylight changes, temperature changes
and other seasonal cues encourage good root growth above shoot growth, which is
exactly what you want. Plant a new lawn
at least two months before the first frost. Caring for the Lawn after Planting
To establish healthy roots and top
growth, do not fertilize immediately after
planting. Let the grass grow for two to
four weeks before fertilizing. Synthetic
fertilizers are made of salts, which stress
the grass. Right after planting is not the
best time to stress the grass. Keep the newly seeded or sodded lawn
watered about every other day–it should
never completely dry out. As the seed
sprouts and the sod becomes rooted, gradually
transition the lawn to the “deep but
infrequent” watering schedule. This will
encourage deeper root growth.
After the lawn is established, it is time
to institute good long-term drought resistance
strategies. Here are some of the
main standbys of good lawn care that will
promote drought resistance:
• Never remove more than 1/3 of the
grass blade at one time;
• Keep mower blades sharp;
• Mow in the early evening, when the
temperatures have cooled, but the dew
has not yet fallen;
• Water deeply and infrequently a couple
of times a week, rather than for a few
minutes every day; and
• Don’t fertilize during a drought or dry
period.
Having a drought resistant lawn involves
several different types of planning
and maintenance; however, following the
above tips will ensure that your lawn survives
anything but the most severe
drought and re-emerges looking beautiful.
Native Planting
For areas where conservation precludes
watering and lush lawn growth, consider
landscaping with native plants, which
may also have beneficial effects on the
environment.
Native plants are hearty because they
have adapted to local conditions. Once established
native prairie plants do not need
pesticides, fertilizers or watering. Not
only is this good for the environment, it
saves time and money. A native landscape
does not need to be mowed like a
conventional lawn. This reduces the demand
for non-renewable resources and
improves the water and air quality.
The periodic burning (or mowing when
burning is not practical) required for maintenance
of a prairie landscape mimics the
natural prairie cycle and is much better for
the environment. Landscaping with native
wildflowers and grasses helps return the
area to a healthy ecosystem.
Diverse varieties of birds, butterflies
and animals, are attracted to the native
plants, thus enhancing the biodiversity of
the area. The beauty of native wildflowers
and grasses creates a sense of place, both
at home and work. The native plants increase
our connection to nature, help educate
our neighbors, and provide a beautiful, peaceful place to relax. ❑ |
