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| Don’t jump the gun: Things to know before tackling the lawn |
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By TIM THORNBERRY
Kentucky Correspondent VERSAILLES, Ky. — As the weather has gotten warmer and attention turns to lawns and gardens, many will spend countless hours working on them. But before getting too far along, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Patricia Meads, a University of Kentucky (UK) extension horticulture specialist based in Woodford County, said each county office has free information to help with a number of lawn and garden issues.
“It’s very important to get as much information before you plant and every county has an extension office with access to plants from annuals to perennials for sun and shade, and people can look at that,” she said.
“Watch your landscape. People sometimes try to fit the wrong plant into the wrong place. We have a lot of access to information and people can utilize their county office to get some of that information at no charge.”
For instance, if one hasn’t seeded their lawn, it’s almost too late, said Meads. The time for seeding is usually by the end of March and cool season grass is recommended for this area, especially fescue.
Now is the time to start thinking of using a crabgrass preemergent. Meads warns if a weed control is used while seeding, the grass will not germinate.
A.J. Powell, UK College of Agriculture turf specialist, said fertilizing an established lawn in the spring is not advocated, because it reduces drought and heat tolerance for the impending summer. Spring nitrogen causes excessive top growth, and the root system stops growing.
Grass with a poor root system cannot take up as many water and minerals, making it less able to withstand drought; however, fall fertilization encourages root growth and minimizes top growth. And everyone knows what drought can do to lawns.
Powell further noted spring is the time to control broadleaf weeds. Spraying actively growing weeds soon after they begin spring growth will yield the best results.
For those wanting to do a crabgrass preemergent, the first application should be made by April 15 – Tax Day – with a second application six weeks later, said Meads. As for those beautiful flowers neighbors may have out in their yards when you don’t, she recommends to be cautious of late frosts.
“The tendency for folks is to get those summer annuals out early; get them out before the Derby (this year it is May 3), but our frost-free date in Kentucky typically is after May 10th and in some cases, it’s as late as the 15th, so it’s not uncommon for us to have a hard freeze before that date,” she said.
“Most things like begonias and impatiens and things like that will succumb to a hard frost. But there are some annuals on the market that actually thrive on temperatures like we’re having right now.”
She also said many things one can do around their lawns and gardens are simple, that a homeowner can do with some basic equipment. Key to remember is to follow instructions on the products used; another is that in some cases, good landscaping around a house can be 20 percent of its value.
This farm news was published in the April 9, 2008 issue of the Farm World, serving Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee. |
| 4/9/2008 |
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