I often receive questions and comments from homeowners about the condition of their lawns. More times than not, they want something to spray, so the problem will magically disappear. It often leads to disappointment, it does not work like that.
Lawns are complicated. A systems approach is needed in order to have a great-looking lawn. A good system will consist of managing aspects such as fertility, disease and weed control and proper irrigation. It does not matter if it’s bermudagrass, centipede, or St Augustine, there is a level of management that needs to be achieved.
I often take soil samples from struggling lawns. Soil sample results provide a wealth of knowledge on how to fertilize your lawn. Results will provide soil pH, P and K levels of your lawn and how to correct them if needed. The county Extension office has information on the proper fertilization programs for lawns. If you are interested in soil test recommendations, please go here. Call the Extension office if you are interested in soil testing.
Weed control can be a challenge in lawns. A good weed management program first starts with a lawn that is not thinning out. The canopy of lawns thins out for numerous reasons, which include low fertility, compaction, diseases such as take all root rot and insects. Once sunlight gets to the soil surface and moisture is there, then weeds will germinate. Weed control programs consist of pre-emerge and post-emerge applications. Pre-emerge applications occur before those specific weeds emerge. Post emerge applications need to occur early in the season. Warm season weeds are not controlled in August. A smaller weed is controlled easier than a large weed that has been mowed several times during the summer.
Irrigation is often one of those subjects that can become interesting really quickly. I have spoken to homeowners that have irrigation systems that over water all year. On the flip side, I have spoken to irrigation owners who never turn it on because it is too expensive. It is time to start irrigation when your lawn starts to show signs of drought stress. Please apply enough water to soak the soil to a depth of 6–8 inches. This is usually the equivalent of about 1 inch of rainfall or 600 gallons of water per 1,000 sq. feet. If the soil becomes compacted, then core aeration will be recommended. This will allow water to penetrate deeper into the soil profile. Research suggests that irrigating after dew development and before sunrise is the most efficient and prevents disease problems. Nighttime irrigation could help reduce water losses by 50 percent compared to applications during the day.
Managing diseases is another key aspect of lawns. One disease that I see more and more is take all root rot. Take-all root rot (TARR) is a fungal disease in warm-season grasses such as bermudagrass and St. Augustinegrass. Likewise, the fungus that causes this disease is Gaeumannomyces graminis var. graminis. TARR favors hot temperatures of around 77 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, slow-draining soil, and a pH above 6.5. Other factors that encourage the disease include pathogens and environmental stress. Environmental stresses include herbicide injury, shade, imbalanced soil fertility, and soil compaction. If you would like more information on this disease, please go here. This is a disease that needs to be managed over time.
If you have any questions please contact your local county Extension agent.
