Turf Special

Turf Addition 2012

Last week unusual warm weather has everyone thinking of getting out in the yard and cleaning things up. The lawns this year have also started to green up a bit early and with your help they can be pushed along even further. But before you apply step 1, try taking a inventory of the turf and think about the history of last year and where problems existed with regards to crab grass. If you did not have a crab grass problem last year I would wait a little longer before applying step 1. If you did have a problem then apply step 1 now, and in another month. Two applications will give you longer coverage or barrier protection while greening up the turf in early spring.  

Make first application of crab grass control during or right after the Forsythia is blooming.

 Most experts tell us to make an application of Pre M crab grass control when the Forsythia is in bloom. I like to wait a little after they bloom. As of yesterday soil temperatures where only around 49 or 50 degrees.



I hate having to refer to step 1 with people when I am asked about applying fertilizers.In actuality the first step you should make on the turf is thatching or a vigorous spring raking. Removing old leaf tissue and roots will allow for a green up through better air and water circulation. I do not like to do spring seeding if it is a total renovation. The fall is  a much better time for starting new or or renovating stressed lawns. If spring is the only time you can make improvements, still try and use a crab grass control and irrigate frequently during germination to maturity. If you did not get a chance to give the turf a   .  

Soccer field at Western New England University this week.

 

dormant feeding last fall and you do not have a crab grass problem, I would give the turf a application of straight fert to help with the greening up process and get the improved varieties of turf growing early to help with fill in and root growth. The warm weather warmed the soil just enough to green it up a little and get the roots moving. Now we have more seasonable weather you can get the grass plants to be more healthy and shade out areas where weeds and crab grass can creep in. The cold over nights will keep crab grass and weed production down a little. Crab grass plants will germinate when soil temperatures reach 55 degrees. So if you had some problems last year now is the time to start hitting it with Pre emergence. Also a crab grass seed can stay in the soil dormant for up to 100 years.

2012 Custom Fertilizing Program

For the Pro's

Application One, 24-0-11 with Iron, Lesco ( Now )

Application Two, 19-0-5 with Dimension 1.3% for crab grass. ( Early May )

For the Home Owner

Application One 22-0-11 Fertilizer with 1.2% Dimension ( Now )

Application Two, 19-0-7 "                                              " ( Early May)

Application Three 18-5-5 Weed and Feed. ( June ) 

Application Four 14-9-14 Fertilizer with Merit for grub control. ( July )

Application Five 28-5-10 Straight Fertilizer. ( September ) 

Application Six Dormant Fertilize 19-19-19 ( November )

P.J.M. Rhododendron

The P.J.M. is the most durable of all the Rhododendrons. With it's lavender and pink flowers in early spring the plant can be hard to miss. Full sun to full shade this ornamental can be relied on in the landscape to be a non stop plant. Holds up well to pruning is is disease resistant for the most part. The plant originated in 1943 as a cross between a Rhododendron carolinianum and R. dauricumvac Sempervirens. It was introduced by Weston Nurseries in Hopkinton Ma.

Purple Leaf Plum

 Purple Leaf Plum is another early blooming tree for the North east. Not a long lived tree but it is easy to maintain with small leaf size that fall early in the fall. Most likely to get nipped by frost and shrivel up its leafs. No fall color to this specimen either. This tree will grow to 25 feet. The purple leafs can look a shade black, and according to Martha Stewart, black is in this year.  It is still to early for annuals of any kind. Most bulbs are well up out of the ground with the daffodils in full bloom. Perennials are also starting to make their way up with some Hosta out of the ground. Good time to split hosta and expand other areas of garden space.  The calender says to start the tomato seeds so I guess it is time to get into the vegetable garden and turn the soil. Until next time Good Luck.

               The Original Eduardo

P.S. Another Yankee opening day, Same shortstop.