One of the more difficult type plants to grow in the landscape is lawn grass. Among the different types grown, the most difficult to grow is St. Augustine grass. People do have nice lawns,but they achieve this by using best management practices. Here are some to consider:
- Don't be too quick to get out the lawn sprayer and spray for chinch bugs anytime the grass looks a little "puny." Look first at the care you are giving it - are you the underlying problem? Frankly, chinch bugs are not that common but yellowing or browning grass is common.
- Over-watering creates many problems for a lawn. For one, it promotes shallow roots and leads to yellow spots from plant disease. Other consequences include higher lawn maintenance costs, more mowing, fertilizer and pesticide leaching, and increased weed infestation. Maximum irrigation in the summer months is twice a week; it is also the law in our area of the state.
- Overfertilizing invites lawn pest problems. A lawn over-stimulated with soluble nitrogen appeals to chinch bugs, sod webworms, nematodes, and brown patch fungus. Too much nitrogen released at once promotes excessive growth and thatch buildup on lawns, and hurts the environment if it is leached into lakes, river, bays and retention ponds. Fertilizing just enough to keep the grass looking good 2-4 times a year at most, and using slow-release nitrogen fertilizer (at least 50 percent slow release) are keys to a proper fertilization program. When slow-release nitrogen sources cannot be found, reducing your normal fertilizer by half its recommended amount and fertilizing more often (3-4 times a year) helps insure what you apply is actually used, with little waste.
- Mowing too low also ruins many lawns. When a lawn is cut higher, more leaf surface is available to absorb sunlight and produce food. As a result, a denser lawn and deeper root system develops, which shades out weeds and decreases the need for chemical weed control. The deeper root system is more capable of tolerating damage from pests. Also, such lawns are cold-hardier in winter and more drought tolerant during dry times of the year. In addition, a sharp mower blade reduces the incidence of disease. Dull blades make a ripping cut which cause slow-to-heal wounds, which in turn allow diseases easier access.
- If pests do become a serious threat and pesticides appear necessary, spot treatment is recommended. Blanketing the lawn with pesticides is wasteful and could be environmentally damaging. Adequate spot treatment for lawns usually involves spraying the affected area, as well as a surrounding 5-foot buffer area.
To summarize, Florida-friendly lawn care boils down to common sense. Careful monitoring, proper cultural practices and as-needed spot treating are the key ingredients to a strong, healthy lawn. Try it this year, and see if it reduces the work you put into your lawn and helps you have a healthier looking one.
Raymond Zerba is a University of Florida Clay County extension faculty member. For answers to questions, go to clay.ifas.ufl.edu and under "Horticulture" click on "Ask a Master Gardener." Call 269-6355 in Orange Park, 284-6355 in Green Cove Springs and Middleburg or (352) 473-3711 in Keystone Heights.