Oh the chores of owning a lawn! Most homeowners in Harvey County have tall fescue lawns. Fescue differs from buffalograss or Bermundagrass in that is grows best in the cool season of the year, thus it is known as a cool-season grass (along with perennial ryegrass and Kentucky Bluegrass) and stays greener for a longer period of time. Culturing it otherwise invites weed, disease and insect issues. The following is a calendar for turf-type tall fescue.
Mowing- Turf-types: 2 to 3 inches. K-31: 21⁄2 to 31⁄2 inches. Raise height to the upper end of the range during the summer. Use the 1/3rd rule, don’t remove more than 1/3rd of the height of the grass at any one mowing.
Fertilizing- September, November, May. Avoid spring fertilization of fescue
Watering- Spring: minimal. Summer: 1 to 11⁄2 inches per week. Fall: only as needed to prevent wilting.
Planting- September is ideal but you can also plant March through April, using 6 to 8 pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet.
Dandelion control-Herbicides are most effective in the fall.
Crabgrass- Preemergence herbicide before redbud trees reach full bloom.
Grubs-Treat May through July depending on when grubs are present.
Aerating-Early spring or fall, as needed.
In a nutshell, when you culture your lawn correctly, you eliminate potential problems. Most will find that when you water, fertilize and control weeds at the right time you will also save money on lawn maintenance costs.