Lawn care of warm-season turfgrass
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It’s March, and the lawns of Central Virginia are starting to green up. Warm-season grasses break dormancy as soil temperatures gradually rise above 50° F, and it usually takes three to four weeks for complete greening.
It’s as easy as 1-2-3 to establish or maintain your warm-season lawns.
1) Do research about your yard
Determine your grass type
The care of turf depends on whether you have warm-season or cool-season turf- grass. In the Richmond area, the majority of lawns are cool-season: Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, perennial ryegrass or fine-leaf fescues. Hot dry summers are usually hard on these cool-season grasses. On the other hand, warm-season turfgrasses thrive in the sun and heat. In this area, warm-season varieties are zoysia and bermudagrass. These turn golden brown during winter dormancy. You may be seeing more local lawns with warm-season turf, because we’ve had such extreme summers.
Do a soil test
The Virginia Cooperative Extension recommends sampling your soil to determine pH and nutrient levels every two to three years. Obtain free soil sample boxes and information sheets from your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office. For less than $20, a soil test is a great idea. Note: The standard soil test is $10; organic matter test is $4, plus postage to mail the sample box to Virginia Tech.
2) Follow the appropriate seasonal practices for warm-season grasses
Control weeds responsibly
The thick growth habits of zoysia and bermudagrass inhibit the growth of weeds. Some products that can be used in cool-season grasses are not safe for warm; read herbicide labels carefully. When you see forsythia or dogwood blooming, it is a good time to apply preemergence herbicides to suppress summer annual grassy weeds. Do not apply these weed controllers if you are planting seed now, however. Quinclorac (Drive™) can be applied just before or at seeding of bermudagrass for crabgrass control. Always follow label directions.
Seed, insert plugs, spread sprigs, or install sod
Mid-spring through mid-summer is the optimal time to plant warm-season grass seed, sprigs or plugs. Often warm-season grasses are more easily established vegetatively than by seed. Warm-season grasses need soil temperatures in the 65º to 75º F range for seed germination. Remember that many preemergence herbicides cannot be applied at the same time as seed.
Fertilize if recommended
Use the results of your soil test to determine the pH and nutritional requirements of your lawn. If you want early greening without a flush of growth, add iron in small amounts. Warm-season grasses perform best when fertilized between April 1 and August 15 in Virginia. Nitrogen (N) fertilization for warm-season grasses should take place only after spring greening is complete.
Aerate
Aeration on warm-season grasses should be done when the turf is actively growing and not during the spring transition period. It can be done anytime from mid-spring through mid-summer as long as the soil is sufficiently moist (not saturated) to allow for tine penetration.
Mow properly
Make sure that your mower blades are sharp. A crisp cut will be healthier for the grass. Cut no more than one-third of the length of the leaf blade at one mowing. Mow to a minimum height of 1 to 1 ½ inches. Keep your grass longer in the spring and summer. Vary your mowing pattern.
Water as needed
If you’re establishing a new lawn with sprigs, make sure to keep them moist. To maintain a healthy root system and reduce weeds, water deeply (to a 4-inch depth) and infrequently. Warm-season grasses are relatively water efficient; however, newly established lawns should receive adequate water.
Consider reducing the size of your lawn
Turn a portion of your grass into a mulched area and plant some native plants there this fall. You’ll attract and nurture more wildlife than with an expanse of turf- grass.
3) Get advice from reputable sources
Contact your local Virginia Cooperative Extension. The advice from Master Gardeners is free and most programs are free or at a nominal cost:
Chesterfield County: (804) 751-4401
Goochland County: 804) 556-5841
Hanover County: (804) 752-4310
Henrico County: (804) 501-5160
Powhatan County: (804) 598-5640
City of Richmond: (804) 786-4150
Lela Martin is a Master Gardener with the Chesterfield County office of the Virginia Cooperative Extension.
