Chute N the Bull

The spring and summer months are critical to the fertility program for
the growth of turfgrass. If you have not fertilized the lawn around your
home, shame on you! How can you expect the turfgrass to hold up during
the summer months, much less the winter months? A weak stand of
turfgrass is an opportunity for a weed community to take over. An
example of this situation is weed seeds germinating in weak stands of
turfgrass; a better example is weeds growing on bare ground. A strong
stand of turfgrass will prevent the weed seeds from germinating
properly. It is the time of year to take advantage of the rainy season
for those warm-season grasses like bermudagrass, St. Augustine,
Zoysiagrass, etc.
Bermudagrass is a commonly used turfgrass in Oklahoma and Texas for
residential and commercial lawns because it has good wear and drought
resistance and responds positively to nitrogen fertility practices in
the spring.
In mid-April to May, the soil temperature begins to rise above 55
degrees F and bermudagrasses begins to break winter dormancy. We can
efficiently use the rainfall we receive during the next 60 days to
rejuvenate the turfgrasses in the lawn, if we properly fertilize.
General fertilizer recommendations are as follows: 1 pound of nitrogen
per 1,000 square feet four to five times during the growing season from
mid-April to September. This can be accomplished by spreading a balanced
fertilizer such as one with an N-P-K ratio of 15-5-10 at the rate of 6
pounds per 1,000 square feet.
If the fertilizer is spread, the mower better be ready and blades better
be sharp. The end of the blade (1 ½-inch tip of the mower blade) does
the largest amount of the cutting action. This part of the blade must be
kept sharp during mowing. It means the difference between slicing the
blade of grass as opposed to whacking it off. This damage to the end of
the leaf blade can be unsightly and is a point of entry for diseases,
which can be the start of the decline of the plant community. When
mowing, it is important not to remove more than two-thirds of the leaf
blade at one time. Instead, take the cutting height down a level in
multiple passes.
Timely application of a fertility program and proper mowing will allow
turfgrass to stand out and be enjoyed by your family and guests. You can
find this and past articles on the web at www.mycountrytractor.com for
your reference. Extension programs serve of all ages regardless of
socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national
origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperatings
serve of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex,
religion, disability, or national origin. The Texas A&M University
System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners
Courts of Texas Cooperating.



Thank you,
Tommy Neyland
County Extension Agent
Texas Agrilife Extension Service
P.O. Box 188
Centerville, Texas 75833
903.536.2531 phone
903.536.3804 fax