Keep it Green, by Michael Womack
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Saturday, October 6, 2001

Reduce irrigation for cooler months

Water grass only when it needs it

The beginning of autumn and cooler temperatures signal a change in lawn-maintenance requirements since our warm-season turf grasses are beginning to slow down in their growth.
   Here are a few things to help you continue to have a healthy lawn this winter and consequently a greener lawn next spring.
   Reduce irrigation
   As temperatures decrease, grasses will use less water, so reduce your irrigation to prevent overwatering, unnecessary runoff and potential fungal problems. This adjustment is particularly needed in lawns with sprinkler systems.
   Many sprinkler systems are set to come on for 20 minutes, three times a week to apply about an inch of water to lawns. That is too much water for cooler months.
   How often you water your lawn depends on several things. Rainfall may decrease water requirements, but hot sunny autumn days will increase watering needs. The best system is to water the grass when you see signs of water stress. If you can see your footprints when you walk across the grass, turn your sprinkler system to come on at that time. Other signs of water stress are folding blades and presence of a dull, gray-green color instead of the dark, rich green blades common in freshly irrigated lawns.
   If you insist on using a schedule and an automatic timer, reduce your watering to twice a week right now and then to once a week as we approach Thanksgiving. Also make sure your watering system is coming on in the early morning to reduce the amount of time your lawn remains wet.
   Rake away fungal disease
   We are entering the primary window for fungal disease problems in the Coastal Bend. Cool nights between 65 and 80 degrees provide the right conditions for rapid spread of take-all root rot in St. Augustine lawns. Accumulation of grass blades or presence of dead stolons (above-ground stems) will reduce air circulation near the soil surface and also promote fungal growth.
   Air circulation near the stolons can easily be increased by raking your lawn with an iron rake to remove thatch accumulation and any dead or diseased stolons. Also remember that raking should be your first line of defense if you do see a dead spot appearing in your lawn. Clippings can be composted if disease is not present, but should be bagged and removed if you are seeing symptoms of take-all patch.
   Fertilize now
   The window of opportunity is quickly closing for fall lawn fertilizing. Grass takes up fertilizer best when it is actively growing. Depending on our weather, most lawns are relatively dormant by mid-November. If you haven't fertilized yet this fall, you need to make it a priority. Fall fertilization promotes root growth.
   When selecting fertilizers, remember to minimize phosphorus (the middle number) in your fertilizer ratio. Most soils, particularly clay soils, have plenty of phosphorus already. Also, purchasing a fertilizer with slow-release nitrogen can extend the fertilizer benefits for a longer time, which can be beneficial if our temperatures stay relatively warm into December.
   My final fertilizer note is to treat for your problem individually to reduce chemicals introduced into the environment. I do not recommend the broad used of "weed and feed" fertilizers in all situations. If you need to apply fertilizer, find the one that best fits your nutritional needs. Treat for weeds only if you have a weed problem or use a pre-emergent herbicide if you have a history of severe weed problems in your yard.
   Don't fight nature
   Remember that both St. Augustine and Bermuda grass are warm-season grasses. They will go dormant in the winter. Don't expect to keep your lawn as lush during cooler months as in the summer. Additional water and fertilizer throughout the winter in order to keep your grass greener will increase your potential for disease.
   Understanding the way your turf grows will help you manage it better this fall and winter and provide you with the "grass that's always greener" in your neighborhood next spring.
  
  

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Michael Womack is a horticulturist with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service. Got a question? Michael Womack will answer landscape and gardening questions. Call 886-4648, category 3025 to record your question. Write Keep It Green, Corpus Christi Caller-Times, P.O. Box 9136, Corpus Christi, TX 78469 or email wm-womack@tamu.edu

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