Fall lawn chores 09-01-08

Labor Day should always be a reminder that we have only a few more weekends to get our warm season species lawns in shape before shorter days, lower light intensity, and cooler temperatures that reduce the potential for them to recover from any poor growth or pest injuries. Below are a few items you may want to include in your lawn care chores over the next couple of weeks.

Winter Weed Control
Now is the time if you haven’t already put out a pre-emerge herbicide to prevent winter weeds (annual bluegrass, lawn burweed, chickweed, henbit).

Winterizing Fertilizers
Be cautious about applying high rates of water-soluble nitrogen fertilizers once temperatures begin to moderate.

Applying 2.0 lbs. Muriate of Potash fertilizer per 1,000 sq. ft. in the fall will help with turf stress problems including low temperatures, diseases and insects. There is not a problem using a weed and feed fertilizer in the fall if the nitrogen source is of slow release in nature.

Fall Diseases
Centipede and St. Augustine lawns are very susceptible to Large Patch (Brown Patch) in the fall. If this disease is not managed the lawn will be unattractive all through the fall, winter, and into next spring. Avoid excess nitrogen fertilizer, water early in the day to avoid long periods of leaf wetness. Apply fungicides.

Fall Insects
Scout for fall armyworms, as this is the time of year that they can become very destructive with little time for turf recovery before winter dormancy. Use fire ant baits to manage fire ant colonies.

Turf Research Field Day and Equipment Expo - Sept. 12th
The Mississippi State Turf Team will host their annual turf research field day Friday, Sept. 12th starting around 8:30 a.m. on their North Farm Turf Complex. A registration fee of $20 includes the research tour, turf management discussions, lunch, a cap, and the equipment and lawn care products expo.

Published September 1, 2008

Dr. Wayne Wells is an Extension Professor and Turfgrass Specialist. His mailing address is Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Mail Stop 9555, Mississippi State, MS 39762. wwells@ext.msstate.edu