Stresses to lawn
- Mowing lawn stress
- Heat Stress
- Improper Irrigation
Mowing
Mow cool season grasses at 3-4 inches to prevent lawn stress
When mowing do not cut more than ½ of the grass blade at one time. Doing this will attract more weeds and damage/ fungus issues.
Mowing higher gives the following perks:
- More shade to the soil leads to less watering.
- Deeper roots which leads to less watering.
- Thicker turf which leads to fewer weeds.
- Slower growth which leads to less mowing.
Watering
- Aim to water one inch per week. The goal is to have a deep root system. We do recommend watering frequently for 5-10 minutes per zone. This encourages a shallow root system which competes with pest and disease issues.
- Shallow, frequent watering encourages “thatch”
Lawn Care Fertilizer
Healthy soil is loaded with microbial and macrobial life. Most of these critters are working hard for your grass. Most of those critters don’t like salt.
When looking to hire an organic lawn care company ask about their approach and practices, especially regarding fertilization and pest management. Some suggested questions and answers:
1. How does your company prevent crabgrass and manage other weed problems?
The emphasis should be on cultural practices that keep your lawn thick and healthy.
2. At what mowing height will my lawn be mowed?
Lawns should be mowed on a regular basis during the growing season and maintained at 3-4 inches. During the hottest, driest part of the summer when cool season grass (tall fescue) is dormant they should not be mowed.
3. When would you apply insecticides or fungicides? Which ones would you use?
Routine use of lawn insecticides and fungicides should not be part of an organic lawn care program. Fescue lawns that are fertilized, mowed, and overseeded will have few pest problems.
4. Will you do a soil test?
A soil test should be part of any lawn management program. Proper pH (6.0-6.8) and soil fertility play a large part in achieving a healthy lawn.
5. What kinds of organic fertilizer will be applied? How often and in what amounts?
Alfalfa meal, Chilean nitrate, corn gluten, feather meal, and cottonseed meal are some examples of organic fertilizer used in the industry.
Here are some helpful links: https://jdorganiclandscape.com/contact-2/
Here are some helpful links: https://entomology.unl.edu/turfent/documnts/swebwrms.shtml#:~:text=General%20Symptoms%20of%20Sod%20Webworm%20Damage%20to%20Turfgrass&text=One%20of%20the%20first%20signs,injured%20areas%20enlarge%20and%20coalesce.