Turf & Ornamental Maintenance

I've had some interesting conversation this week about whether or not it is beneficial to try and keep up with watering during this heat wave.  The answer is yes and no.

2010 was a brutal year for turf and landscape maintenance.  Heavy spring rains saturated, drowned and killed our root systems then summer unleashed 90 degrees plus temperatures for weeks.  We did more fall renovation work last year than we'd done in nearly the previous three years combined. 

In a response to the Environmental Protection Agency, Dupont has suspended further sales of the product that has been blamed for many deaths to Evergreen trees and have also will begin a Product return and refund program. 

From KState Turf-

There has been a little bit of relief from the high air temperatures, with highs in the 80's on some days and lows in 60's and even 50's once or twice in some areas of the state.  However, daily maximum soil temps are still high, in the mid to upper 80's.  For cool-season turf, roots don't grow at all when 4-inch soil temps are greater than about 77

There are many reasons turf does not thrive in the conditions that we expect them to.  In the decision to renovate and to what extent to do so, here are some of the top reasons your turf may not be succeeding.

If you're overseeding your lawn this year, we highly recommend using only Fescue seed.  Turf type Tall Fescue is the most disease and drought resistant type of grass for the midwest.  With extreme heat the last two summers, we have seen superior drought resistance with fescue as opposed to Bluegrass.  Most of the brown spots in your lawn this summer are most likely the bluegrass plants, not fescue.  There are many awesome varieties of fescue available.  Please call us if you want recommendations on what type of seed to use.

We've been seeing some breakthrough of white grubs in turf starting last week.  Weather this summer, notably high temperatures was tough on preventative controls applied in June and July.  High temperatures and rains break down chemicals used to prevent grubs.  The best way to inspect for grub damage is to pull on the browning areas of turf.  If the area pulls up like a fresh lawn piece of sod, then you have a problem.  Upon further inspection, you will see the small c-shaped grubs with reddish brown colored heads.  Dilox is recommended for treatment and

Please remember to contact the office or your turf applicator if you are planning to complete lawn work this fall and are on the 7 Round Turf Program.  Your applicator will need to plan accordingly with the Round 6 application in order to avoid disrupting seed germination.  Also a reminder to all Aspen mowing clients-  your residence might be skipped up to 2 weeks if you have had any fall seeding for the same reasons.  Futher questions can be answered by contacting us in the office at 913.829.6135!

Did you know that the average rainfall for September in Johnson County is almost 5 inches?  Guess how much we've gotten so far this month?  1.02 inches!!!!  Don't let the cooler temperatures fool you, plants can die from drought stress in cool weather too.  New seed also needs the extra water that mother nature isn't providing, at least twice per day for a period of 2-3 weeks.  In addition, do not cease watering once the seed germinates, you'll need to keep giving the plant substantial water until it goes dormant. 

I know everyone is tired of astronomical water bills this season...I know it fells like and looks like fall but don't be fooled!  We are in a serious fall drought.  You must keep watering turf and plants regularly (4-5 days per week) until we start getting regular moisture again.  This season was very stressful on plants and they will need extra moisture before going into dormancy.  Please call the office if you have any questions.