JULY Common Sense Summer Lawn Guide

by Glennon Kraemer
Lawn /Turf Specialist
G. R. Robinson Seed & Service Co.
8674 Olive St.
St. Louis, MO 63132
314-432-0300

gmmseed@sbcglobal.net

We are at the time of the year when the two types of lawns (warm and cool season) we have here are at their extreme opposites. Zoysia and Bermuda: love the heat, want to be mowed short and fertilized with high nitrogen fertilizers. The turf type tall fescues and bluegrass lawns: don’t like the heat, want to be mowed tall and want “safe’ fertilizers.(or none at all)

Here are some summer tips to get you by until the end of August:

Warm season lawns:

-Mow at 1-2 inches

-Fertilize with high nitrogen (with 50% slow release and 2-5% iron) fertilizers up to   August 15^th                 

-Sod, plug or seed areas that need repair (yes, there is zoysia & bermuda seed!)

-Aerate or power rake if you have not already done so

-Apply grub controls in early July (Merit or Mach 2)

-Spray weeds as needed

-Water 2-3 days weeks

Cool season lawns:

-Mow at 3-3 1/2 inches

-Fertilize with Auxnite or some other “organic” source of fertilzer

-Don’t seed until fall, but do sod areas that need repair

-Apply grub controls in early July (Merit or Mach 2)

-Spray weeds as needed, but be careful of the temperatures and read your labels!

-Water deeply, 4 days a week. Never water every day (until you seed this fall)!

-Apply fungicides as needed. Remember, they only last about 25 days per application. Be     prepared to reapply or use that money on a good aeration and over seeding in September?

Following some simple rules will help keep your lawn healthy! Always call a professional when in doubt about a lawn application! Remember, it’s just grass