Turf Tips from TurfMasters

In order to maintain the high-quality lawn you desire, we need your help. We're working with nature and we don't always get her full cooperation, especially during the summer months. Because the work we do depends on the weather, we offer FREE SERVICE calls or phone consultations when needed. So, if something doesn't look quite right between our scheduled visits, we want you to give us a call so we can address the situation.

Also, following proper cultural practices is essential to having a beautiful lawn. Here then are the correct methods for watering and mowing your lawn:

• WATERING— How much water does a lawn need? In general, cool-season grasses (what we have here in Connecticut) need about one to two inches of water per week to maintain green color and active growth. In the summer months it is recommended you water your lawn 2-3 times per week, an hour each area. Many factors such as the soil and weather all have a role in the lawn's water needs. Here are a few guidelines to follow:
  
  • Water as infrequently as possible.
    Thoroughly water when you do water so moisture soaks down to the roots. Exceptions to this general rule would be for newly seeded lawns where the surface needs to stay moist and newly sodded lawns that have not yet rooted into the soil. Otherwise, avoid frequent light irrigation that promote shallower root systems and weeds (e.g., crabgrass). Increased disease incidence is also associated with light, frequent waterings.
    
  • Water early if possible.
    Given a choice, water early in the day when lawns are normally wet from dew. Avoid midday due to evaporation, and at night due to potential increased chances of some diseases. The exception to this guide is when you are in extremely hot weather and nighttime temperatures don't go below 68 degrees. Then it is better to water in the late afternoon or early evening, providing you don't have watering-time restrictions. Late in the day reduces the amount of evaporation that takes place during the very hot day, allowing more water to reach the root zone.
    
  • Spread the water uniformly across the lawn.
    Sprinklers vary in distribution patterns, and require spray overlap for uniform coverage. Placing coffee cans or similar straight-sided containers on the lawn can help measure water application rates. Avoid flooding areas, or missing other spots. On heavy clay soils and slopes, watch for excessive runoff; it may be necessary to apply the water in several applications to allow for adequate penetration.
    
  • Water conservation.
    To help conserve water, mow your lawn at a higher than normal height, avoid applying an excess of nitrogen as warm weather approaches, limit traffic over the lawn, improve turf rooting, control thatch and soil compaction, and avoid pesticide use on drought stressed lawns.
    
    
• MOWING TIPS:—
  • Don't cut your grass too short, particularly for cool season grasses such as here in Connecticut. Higher heights usually provide for a deeper root system, looks better, and is less likely to have weeds invading, particularly crabgrass. The recommended mowing height for our grass types are 2.5 - 3 inches.
    
  • Don't remove any more than one third of the grass leaf at any one cutting. If circumstances arise that a lawn gets too tall and you just have to lop off a bunch to get caught up, bite the bullet and break it down into several mowing's to get caught up with 3 or so days between cuttings.
    
  • Try to avoid mowing when the grass is wet.
    
  • When mowing only a third with each cutting, you can safely leave clippings that will quickly decompose and add nutrients back into the soil. Contrary to popular opinion, grass clippings do not add to thatch buildup. Grass blades are made up of about 75% water.
    
  • Mow your lawn in a different direction with each mowing, especially with lawns of shorter grass types. Altering the direction ensures a more even cut since grass blades will grow more erect and less likely to develop into a set pattern.
    
  • Keep your mower's blade sharp, which means having it sharpened several times during the mowing season. Keep several blades around so you'll always have a sharp one on hand.
    
  • Don't forget to change your mower's oil at least once during the mowing season.
    
  • If you didn't drain your gas tank in the fall, or use a fuel stabilizer, don't use that old gas, it can cause a number of problems. Better to use fresh gasoline to begin the new mowing season.