Lawns: Give that cool-season lawn what it needs

— Written By Dustin Adcock and last updated by
en Español / em Português
Español

El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.

Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.


Português

Inglês é o idioma de controle desta página. Na medida que haja algum conflito entre o texto original em Inglês e a tradução, o Inglês prevalece.

Ao clicar no link de tradução, um serviço gratuito de tradução será ativado para converter a página para o Português. Como em qualquer tradução pela internet, a conversão não é sensivel ao contexto e pode não ocorrer a tradução para o significado orginal. O serviço de Extensão da Carolina do Norte (NC State Extension) não garante a exatidão do texto traduzido. Por favor, observe que algumas funções ou serviços podem não funcionar como esperado após a tradução.


English

English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.

Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.

Collapse ▲

LawnGrowing a beautiful lawn in the South can be a frustrating task, especially with cool-season grasses (such as tall fescue, kentucky bluegrass, and ryegrass). Summer heat and drought can be a major stressor on cool-season grasses. However, a lush lawn is definitely possible. How do we accomplish this? With careful and sufficient nutrient applications in the active growing season.

Calculated and timely fertilization during the active growing season can improve the lawn the rest of the year. Fertilizing correctly helps the plant produce deep, healthy roots and dense foliage that can use deeper water reserves and cool the plant in extreme heat. As the soil becomes saturated and cooler in the fall, these grasses have their best opportunity to develop a deep and effective root mass. Also, these plants are at their greatest point of growth for the year, so their nutrient uptake is maximized.

For a gradual release of nutrients to the grass as it is growing, make three applications of fertilizer annually. Work with your local Extension agent to get a soil test and develop a plan to improve the fertility of your soil based on the test results. I recommend remembering three dates for fertilizing cool-season grasses: Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Valentine’s Day. First, apply a starter fertilizer at reseeding/sowing. A second application of a nitrogen-rich fertilizer is made near Thanksgiving. Finally, an application of nitrogen-only fertilizer should be made in the month of February.

Be careful not to make the final application too late in the spring, which can cause an increase in disease pressure. Use your soil test results to determine the type and amount of fertilizer to apply. The rate of fertilizing a lawn is based on the nitrogen needs of turfgrass and should not exceed 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. For more information, visit the “Lawns” chapter in the NC Extension Gardener Handbook.
— Dustin Adcock

Extension Gardener Newsletter Banner

Additional interesting articles are linked from the index
Extension Gardener Newsletter