Regional
(2008-09-17)
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Autumn is the time to start training lawns for the winter. Training the lawn now will help it next season, too.
Unfortunately water has become a battle between conservation and capitalism. We do live in an arid desert and drought is imminent. But water providers only make money if we're using water. So what's a gardener to do? Get out the hose and pay for the water. Or learn to conserve and keep the reservoirs full.
Lawns will really benefit from aeration and fertilization. Aeration is most effective if the soil is moist. Take advantage of the recent rain that softened up the soil. Aerate after the storm. Don't try to aerate if the soil isn't moist. That will only beat up the person aerating and do more damage to the grass.
Aeration will be most beneficial followed by a thorough watering. Watering once a week is enough. Watering after aerating lets the moisture penetrate deeper. The water also breaks down the cores of soil, which add nutrients to the grass.
Fall fertilization on lawns won't show any immediate benefit. But the lawn will respond to the fertilizer next spring. Use a slow release, organic fertilizer. They last longer in the soil. And they're environmentally friendly.
Organic fertilizer on a mostly green cool season grass will promote fall and spring root growth. Time your fertilization before a snowstorm or water in the fertilizer. Without additional water the benefits of fall fertilization are minimized.
Keep bluegrass lawns at least two to three inches long. The longer blades shade the soil and conserve moisture. At you last mowing (mine can be anytime now) cut the grass to an inch or so. Short grass lessens the chance of getting molds if we do get any winter snows.
Warms season grass like Buffalo grass will turn brown after the first frost. That's time to cut off the water and let it be. Cool season grass like Bluegrass loves cool days and nights. The cooler the weather the less water the grass needs.
Fall lawn care will help you lawn survive the winter. It will also help it thrive next spring.
tomthrogmorton@mywdo.com
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