Preparing Lawns For A Long Hot Summer
Many areas of the country have experienced below-average precipitation this past winter. That translates to possible drought this summer. What can you do now to prepare your lawn for possibly a long, hot summer? First, make sure your lawn is as healthy as possible this spring. A healthy lawn can better withstand dry periods. If you didn't fertilize your cool-season lawn (bluegrass, fescue, etc) last fall, do so this spring. But don't rush it. In cold winter areas, wait until the grass has started to green up and grow. Fertilizing too early may force foliage growth before roots have had a chance to become fully active. Use a high nitrogen, complete fertilizer that also contains phosphorus and potassium. The first number is nitrogen, the second phosphorus and the third potassium. Check with your local cooperative extension service if you have questions on timing.
Don't start watering with the first warm weather. Letting the soil partially dry will encourage deeper roots. When you do water, do so efficiently. Water to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Shallow watering results in shallow roots and a lawn that will suffer more during dry spells. If you can't irrigate without having water run into the street, water in intervals, pausing for short periods to let the water soak in before beginning again. Aerating and dethatching will also help water penetration and promote healthy rooting. If you've had problems with lawn pests such as armyworms, cutworms, mole crickets, sod webworm or others, use Bayer Advanced™ PowerForce® Multi-Insect Killer Granules. Read the label and follow the directions. Pest-ridden lawns are more susceptible to drought stress.
These rules apply for warm-season lawns (Bermuda grass, St. Augustine, etc) as well as cool-season lawns. However, the processes usually start later in spring when the weather is warmer. Again, if you have questions with timing, consult your
local cooperative extension service.
Products Mentioned In This Article
Bayer Advanced
