In most countries, fall is the time to remake or refurbish the lawn. Whether remaking is necessary or not, the autumn lawn deserves attention.
It has just been through the most difficult period of the year, for grasses do not benefit from heat and drought.
But now, nights are cooler, and better lawn grasses such as bluegrass and fescue renew their interest in growing, and we should give them every assistance.
In New England
Bluegrasses and fescues are the preferred lawn grasses in the North Atlantic States, the North Central area, and the Northwest. Similarly, they are desirable west of the Mississippi and north of Texas if irrigation is available.
Even in the section between Southern Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri and the northern edge of Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia, these cool-season grasses will prosper with special care.
They must fertilize carefully and not be mowed shorter than ½” inches. Elsewhere in the South, the Zovsias and Bermudas are basic permanent turfs, with the cool-season grasses used annually as a winter green.
Supplying The Proper Amount of Plant Food
Since the bluegrasses and fescues are suitable for much of the country, every cultural effort should be made to provide favorable conditions for them. In late summer, both exhibit a new zest for life.
This should be abetted by supplying proper plant food for optimum response before a freeze checks activity.
It is necessary to know the soil’s acidity and nutrient content to determine the amount of fertilizer to apply.
The agricultural experiment stations in most states have facilities for testing soil samples, both for pH and nutrient content.
There usually is no charge for this service—if there is, it is nominal.
Lawn Grasses Grow Best in Soil
Most lawn grasses grow best in the soil, slightly acidic, with a pH reading between 6.0 and 7.0. If the reading is below 6.0, finely ground limestone should be applied following the recommendations supplied in the report from the experiment station.
Normally, an application of 30 lbs. of ground limestone every three years in the more humid eastern half of the country is sufficient to maintain proper acidity.
If the tests show nitrogen, phosphoric acid, or potash deficiency, these should be supplied. Soil deficiencies usually appear in the fall because of the drain on the soil by growth during the previous six months.
An application of a complete fertilizer such as a 10-6-4, which means 10% nitrogen, 6% phosphoric acid, and 4% potash, should be made at the rate of 15 lbs. to 1,000 sq. ft.
This feeding will stimulate sturdy fall growth, carrying the grass plants through the winter in robust conditions.
Many plants, especially trees and shrubs, stop growing in early fall, and the leaves, no longer of use, start falling. An accumulation of leaves on the lawn, especially if matted by rain, harms the turf.
It is important to rake leaves frequently or run a lawn sweeper over the turf. Leaves can be easily gathered in the sweeper and transferred to the compost pile; certainly, every home gardener should have a compost pile.
Lawn Stimulation In September
Lawn stimulation in September will require one or two additional cuttings. Do not permit lawn grass to go into winter with more than two inches of growth.
If it does, there will be matting and considerable turf damage easily noticeable the next spring.
44659 by Harry Gleason