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During the establishment period, fertilization, mowing and
watering are geared to getting the planting to cover the ground
as rapidly as practical. Once a good turf is established,
fertilize and water only as necessary to maintain a turf tight
enough to resist weed invasion and to keep the grass in a
healthy condition so that it is producing adequate growth
for a fresh, neat appearance.
Mowing
Dull mower blades "chew" the grass rather than "clip" it,
and leave it with a scared appearance and in unhealthy condition.
Always keep your mower blades sharp. Mow Bermudas Carpet and Centipede grasses at about one inch (1"). Mow zoysia at one and one-half inches (1.5") and Tall Fescue, Bahia and St. Augustine at about two to three inches (2" to 3"). All grasses can be mowed with a rotary mower, but for a finer finish, a reel mower may be used on bermuda and zoysiagrasses.
Growth rate of the grasses varies with the presence of moisture,
fertility and temperature. Mowing frequency recommended for
best appearance during the peak growing season is every 4
to 6 days for Bermudas, every 5 to 10 days for Bahias, Carpet
and St. Augustine , every 7 to 10 days for Zoysia and every
7 to 14 days for Centipede. Less frequent mowing is needed
during the cool weather of spring and fall except for Bahias,
Carpet and seeded Bermudas, which require continued frequent
mowing because of the daily production of unsightly seedheads.
Fertilization
Fertilize Bermudas, St. Augustines and Zoysias in spring
and the summer at a rate of approximately 15 lbs. complete
fertilizer per 1,000 square feet.
Continue to feed bermudas during the growing season every
30 to 40 days with approximately two pounds ammonium nitrate
per 1,000 square feet. St. Augustines and Zoysias should have
one or two supplemental applications of two pounds ammonium
nitrate per 1,000 square feet during the summer growing season,
best spaced 60 or more days apart. On good soils, centipede
and carpet will do better if never fertilized. On poor soils,
first water well for an extended period of time (several weeks)
to be certain that drought is not being confused with hunger.
If Centipede continues to appear thin and unthrifty, fertilize
with not more than 10 lbs. per 1,000 square feet of a complete
fertilizer low in nitrogen. Carpet is usually destroyed by
continued fertilization, and if it persists in being thin
when well watered, the probabilities are that it is not adapted
to your soil.
Once a turf is mature, it produces an abundance of organic
material and there is little reason to buy high-priced organic
fertilizers. However, there are new, slow release chemical
fertilizers on the market which are advantageous for Bermudas,
St. Augustines and Zoysias during the summer and early fall.
Avoid using in early spring.
Watering
Frequent, light watering helps the grass to spread more
rapidly during the establishment stage. At the same time,
frequent light watering will result in a shallow root system
and cause the grass to suffer during brief droughts.
The correct program is to water frequently and lightly during
the early establishment stage, and as the turf begins to mature
gradually change to less frequent, deeper watering.
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Once a turf is established, water only to prevent damage
or poor appearance during dry periods. When the grass begins
wilting before noon, it needs water. When you water, really
soak the lawn well. Most sprinklers need to be run several
hours at each place before moving. Such waterings are healthy
for the grass, and last a long time. Dig into the soil with
a spade to see what is actually being accomplished with water
applied.
Diseases
Plants, like animals, are affected with many diseases. Manage
the better grasses as recommended and the disease problems
will seldom be serious, as the grass will normally outgrow
the disease. Proper disease diagnosis and treatment is difficult
at best, but chemicals for disease treatment only will usually
hurt nothing but your pocketbook if the chemicals are correctly
used, and may often cure the disease. Solicit the advice of
your Cooperative Extension Service or a competent nurseryman,
and beware of chemicals that are for purposes other than disease
control.
Insects
Good garden stores can supply appropriate insecticides,
often in needed fertilizers, for controlling ants, mole crickets
and most other small insects.
Chinch bugs can destroy St. Augustines, but good information
on control measures is widely available in areas of severe
infestation.
The Spittle bug can seriously damage any grass, but is not
apt to increase population to disastrous levels if the grasses
are kept mowed at recommended heights, because the Spittle
bug likes tall, thick grass.
Bill bugs can be a problem in Zoysia and Tifdwarf Bermuda.
Use only chemicals to control, and flush deep into the soil
by watering.
Army worms and sod webworms frequently damage Bermudas, but
they are easily killed with insecticide and the grass usually
recovers after considerable foliage has been eaten by the
worms.
Maintenance Hints
Cutting Never mow grass when
it is suffering from drought, or the lawn will be discolored
and unattractive for several days. During dry seasons, water
well a day or two before you expect to mow.
Watering The best time to water
a new planting is in early afternoon, as it will stay moist
throughout the night and early morning. The best time to water
established turf is early morning, as this permits the grass
to dry and provides fewer hours favorable to the growth of
disease causing fungi.
Fertilizing There is no way
to over-emphasize the importance of fertilizing only after
noon when the grass is dry, and then watering well to avoid
chemical burn. Fertilizing before a rain or during a rain
is asking for trouble, because if the grass is damp fertilizer
particles will stick to the foliage and burn if in a matter
of minutes.
Renovation Soon after a good
turf of any grass is matured, a thatch problem develops. Periodic
aerification and vertical thinning will benefit almost any
lawn. Check with your garden store to see what rental equipment
may be available to enable you to renovate your turf.
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