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Building a Healthy Lawn
Henrico County Extension Office
Common Lawn Questions
Should I lime each year?What kind and how much fertilizer
should I buy?Should I bag my clippings?What can I do about all these
weeds? Why do parts of my lawn look bad?Are lawns bad for the environment?
SMART Lawns Have Answers!
2011 Lawn Care Seminars
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.SandstonTuesdays
TuckahoeWednesdays
Twin HickoryThursdays
Spring Weed Control
Mar 8 Mar 9Glen Allen
Library
Mar 10
Building a Healthy Lawn
Apr 12 Apr 13 Apr 14
Starting a New Lawn or
Renovating
Aug 9 Aug 10 Aug 11
Winterizing the Lawn
Sept 6 Sept 7 Sept 8
Fall Lawn Care Field Day
Saturday, August 13, 20118:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Henrico County Extension Office8600 Dixon Powers Drive
Lawn Care AdviceLawn Care Products
SMART Lawns . . .
Are beautiful because they’re healthyGreen up more quickly in the springMake the best use of two valuable
resources - time and moneyAre environmentally responsible Protect the Chesapeake Bay
Can Result in Non-point Source
Pollution
Improper Use of Lawn Fertilizers and Pesticides. . .
Healthy Lawns Protect Water Quality
A dense turf protects against soil erosion and nutrient runoff
Nutrients are carried away with eroding
soil
Soil Sediment is Pollution
SMART Lawns – Basic Steps
Know your SoilMeasure to save time and moneyAerate those rootsBe Right about FertilizerPractice Trouble-free maintenance
Enroll in SMART Lawns!A Master Gardener Volunteer will:
–Collect a soil sample (Soil Test)–Measure your lawn areas (Measure)
You will receive:–SMART Lawns Guide–Customized lime and fertilizer plan
You provide the ART!–Aerate–Right Fertilizer–Trouble-free Maintenance
To Enroll in SMART Lawns
Complete the SMART Lawns Enrollment Form and Pre-Survey
Attach a check for $20Provide a plat (survey) sheet of your
propertyMail to the Henrico Extension Office
SMART Step One
Know Your Soil
Soil Test Box and Form
Test every 2 to 3 years
Accurate Soil TestingRequires a
representative sample Sample from 10+
areasSample to 4-6 inch
depthMix soil togetherPlace 1 cup of mix
in soil sample boxSend to Soil Testing
Lab
Soil pH
A measure of soil alkalinity or acidityMany nutrients become unavailable
if pH is not correctMay need 100 pounds of lime per
1000 square feet to raise pH 1 point
Proper pH for Lawns 6.2 to 6.5
SMART Step Two
Measure to Save Time and Money
Measuring Lawn Areas
Measure smaller areas and add up for total lawn area
SMART Step Three
Aerate Those Roots
Aeration
Relieves soil compaction and/or thatch buildup
Allows oxygen, water and nutrients to reach the root system
Soil moisture important Fall for cool-season turf Core or hollow-tine aerators
recommended
Hollow tines
Core Aeration
SMART Step Four
Be Right About Fertilizer
Right FertilizerRight Time
Right Amount
Which One is Right for Your Lawn?
Information on a Fertilizer Label
16 - 4 - 8
Total Nitrogen………..…………..…..… 16 %5.6% WIN (Water Insoluble Nitrogen)
Available Phosphoric acid (P2O5)…… 4 %
Sulfate of Potash (K2O)...…………….. 8 %
Maintenance Fertilizer
4 - 1 - 2 Ratio
No deficiencies
4-1-2
For More K
Other Maintenance Examples
Starters for low P
Winterizers for low K
Timing of Fertilizer Applications for Cool Season Grasses
September October November
Advantages Of Fall Fertilization
Increased root growth Increased density
Decreased weed problems Decreased spring mowing
Increased drought toleranceDecreased summer disease
Improved fall to spring color
COOL-SEASON TURF FERTILIZATION“SON” Program
lbs. Nitrogen perTime 1000 sq. ft.
September 1 to 15 1 October 1 to 15 1 November 15 to December 15 1 May 15 to June 15 0 to ½
TOTAL : 3 to 3 ½
Using the percentage of nitrogen from the fertilizer analysis on the bag you
can accurately figure how much to apply by using the formula:
Desired lbs. of nitrogen per 1,000 sq. ft.
% nitrogen in fertilizer
x 100
= lbs. of fertilizer to apply per 1,000 sq. ft.
Example
To apply 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 sq. ft. using a 16-4-8
fertilizer:
1 / 16 x 100 = 6.25 lbs.
6.25 lbs. of 16-4-8 is required per 1000 square feet to apply 1 pound of
nitrogen
Drop vs. Rotary
Spreaders
Both must be calibrated!
Follow Bag Instructions
Trial and Error Calibration
SMART Step Five
Practice Trouble-free Maintenance
Mowing
Watering
Weed Control
Measuring Mower Height
Keep mower blades sharp
One-Third Rule Mow frequently
enough so that no more than one-third of grass blade is removed each time
Research shows that when turf height is reduced by 50% or more, root growth is slowed or even stopped
Don’t Bag the Clippings!
(Unless there’s a good reason)
Watering “All or Nothing”
Avoid light, frequent irrigationsTurf needs 1 inch of water per weekCalibrate your irrigation systemWater early in the day, not lateUse the “screwdriver test”
Calibrate Irrigation System Place shallow pans
in the irrigation pattern
How long does it take for 1 inch of water to collect?
This type of sprinkler may require 2-3 hours to deliver 1 inch
When to Water?
Screwdriver (4 to 6 inch blade) can only be inserted halfway
Footprints remain in grass
Grass is smoky-blue color
Broadleaf Weed Control for Homeowners
Most broadleaf weed problems–Combinations of 2,4-D, MCPP, MCPA,
dicambaHarder to control weeds
– triclopyr and/or carfentrazoneLots of weeds or perennial grasses
–glyphosate (non-selective)
Broadleaf Weed Control
triclopyr
Read the Label
MCPA + triclopyr + dicamba
MCPA + triclopyr + dicamba
Broadleaf Weed Control
carfentrazone+ 2,4-D + MCPP +
dicamba
2,4-D + MCPP + dicamba
MCPA + MCPP +
dicamba + carfentrazone
Read the Label
A Simple Weed Management Plan
Mid-March–Apply a crabgrass preventer–Do not use product with fertilizer!–Repeat for season-long control
April and May–Broadleaf weed killer for summer weeds
October and November–Broadleaf weed killer for winter weeds–Consider weed and feed formulations
CrabgrassApply a preventer
in mid-March
Annual BluegrassApply a preventer in
August if not overseeding
Common Lespedeza
Spotted Spurge
Summer Annual Weeds
Chickweed
HenbitWinter Annual
Weeds
Common Bermudagrass
Moss and Algae
Shade conditionsRestricted air movementPoor drainageChemical controls are short term
