BASIC THOUGHTS FOR WARM SEASON GRASSES

BY MATT HENDERSON

Warm-season grasses best thrive in warm-scorching sunny areas of the Southern US. They grow best in temperatures of 75-90 degrees and do all their growing in the summer. The major grasses in this category are Bermuda, centipede, St. Augustine and Zoysia grass that are grown in the Transition Zone between warm and cool season grasses. The Basics: Keep up with summer mowing.

Never remove more than 1/3 of the leaf blade at a time. The more removed, the more stress and the less green color in the grass. Summer heat does enough without adding to it, so it’s important to feed the grass with the correct amount of nutrients and promote new growth. Remember, the wrong fertilizer combined with excess sunlight can promote undue stress. Always take a soil sample and get it analyzed at your local Co-op.

Bermuda/Zoysia Nutrient Program: (ex. use @ 4-5bgs per acre) w/item numbers.

June/July:

24-4-18 50%PCU + minors #119602

32-2-10 25%PCU, minors + 2%Fe-wolftrax #6000746

August: Repeat June/July after 45-60 days or if hot, dry conditions use the following: 21-0-0-24s #1004261

September/October: 5-5-25 w/.42% Prodiamine (fertilizer + pre-emerge) #186905

October-December: Lime as needed per soil test. Over seed with ryegrass as needed or wanted

Water, but always remember that warm season grasses never need any more than 1” water a week. Use at least two waterings to accomplish this. Always water in the early morning: it also decreases the dew period and lets you work earlier in the day.

Be smart with herbicide usage. The more proactive a homeowner is with 2-3 pre-emerge applications the less problems they will have with broadleaves and weed grasses. Timing is imperative to ensure the effectiveness of the chemical. The most common products used on home lawns as a pre-emerge are Dimension (Dithiopyr) and Barricade (Prodiamine). Either one can be applied as a liquid or on a fertilizer carrier (see ex. Sept./Oct Nutrient Program).

Planning for your lawn care now is the first step to a beautiful lawn this year. For advice about lawn care tips and products, contact your local Co-op!