LATE SPRING 2004 ONLINE NEWSLETTER

Your Lawn

This is the time of year when broadleaf weeds make their appearance. The rain and warm temperatures (finally!) that we’ve had recently mark the beginning of weed season.

Today’s lawn application included a broadleaf weed control treatment which will control the weeds currently in your lawn (unless otherwise specified in your program). However, it will not prevent more weeds from germinating. The most important cultural practice you can follow to help prevent weeds from germinating is to mow high. Weed seeds need only sunlight and moisture to germinate. Although we can’t control the moisture, we can control the sunlight by mowing properly. Mowing at the proper height will help prevent the sunlight from reaching the soil where the weed seeds are present.

The proper mowing height is 3– 3 1/2 inches. To make sure you are mowing at this height, you should measure the actual blades of grass after you mow. Measuring the mowing height of the mower blade on a hard surface is not always accurate. If in doubt, just raise your mower to its highest setting. We have yet to find anyone who mows too high.

It is particularly important this time of year to try and keep the annual weeds out of your lawn. Mowing high will also help keep the turf grass thicker and healthier in the hot months ahead

Whether you collect your clippings or leave them lie will have little effect on the quality of your lawn. If you leave your clippings down, make sure that you do not allow the grass to get too tall between mowings. Leaving piles of grass clippings on your lawn can be detrimental to the turf grass. If the grass does get too long between mowings, it may be necessary to go over the lawn twice to thoroughly cut up the grass clippings. Mulching mowers have become very popular and most of them work quite nicely.

Fun Fact

To frustrate those pesky moles, drop an unwrapped stick of Juicy Fruit gum and a partially crushed clove of garlic into any holes you find.

Your Ornamentals

The cicadas should be arriving soon. Your established trees and shrubs should bear up just fine. They can generally tolerate minor damage. The female cicadas cut slits in new growth to lay their eggs. You can cover newly planted ornamentals and fruit trees with netting having openings less than 3/4 inches. This will help protect young plant material. This is the only preventive measure that works. Relax and enjoy the “concert”.

This remains an excellent time of year to plant. This is also a good time to make sure your plants are well mulched, generally 2 - 2 1/2 inches. Mulching helps retain the moisture in the soil and decrease weeds. However, over mulching can be more detrimental than not mulching.

Be sure to water your newly planted materials deeply to encourage root growth. When water stays mostly near the surface, it encourages shallow roots making your plants weak and prone to disease. Soaker hoses are great for watering. They give the water a chance to sink deeply where it’s needed the most.

Allow the leaves of your spring flowering bulbs, such as daffodils and tulips, to remain until they turn yellow. This allows the bulbs to benefit from the sunlight and moisture. You can fold and rubber band the leaves if you don’t like the looks in your landscape.
Azaleas, rhododendrons, and other spring-flowering plants should be pruned immediately after their flowers drop. This gives the plant time to develop new growth before the buds set later in the year.

Remember - the proper mowing height is 3 - 3 1/2 inches.