Your cool season turf is in survival mode. The hot temperatures stress it out, the wet evenings favor disease, and dry conditions in between rains keep it thirsty. I will be applying more fungicide this month, in an effort to prevent disease. Weeds will be spot treated, if temps are below 90 degrees, to avoid turf injury.

We were lucky to have some good rainfall in May, but June was more on the dry side. Lawns without irrigation are browning. Watering your lawn is still the most important thing you, as a homeowner, can control. Every morning is ideal but do the best that you can. Remember, watering early in the morning, before sunrise, is the best practice.

As usual, call, text, or email with any questions!

Whatever short falls in rain we experienced this season were more than made up in May. East Tennessee has experienced significant rainfall in the past few weeks. Please keep in mind the information from previous emails regarding mowing height and watering practices. Mowing and watering correctly can help the turf survive and thrive during these conditions. Done incorrectly, it can be a detriment to the process. On my personal lawn, I have been cutting at 4.5″ and watering as needed.

Please begin to focus on your watering. As the temps warm, watering becomes crucial to maintaining your lawn. We are behind on rainfall and experienced drier than usual conditions in April. However, much rain is in the extended forecast. If you have an irrigation system, make sure it is up and running. If you do not, get out the sprinkler. Best practice is to water daily, very early in the morning allowing for a dry out during the day. I understand daily watering can be difficult without an irrigation system, so do your best. If we have gone 3 days without rain, your lawn will be thirsty and needs watered.

Bermuda and Zoysia lawns are beginning to green up and come out of dormancy. They will continue to emerge from dormancy and start growing faster as the temperatures rise. I am focusing on weed control in warm season turf as the spring temperatures allow for heavy applications. Specifically spraying out any cool season turf (poa, fescue, etc). You may have your first cut this month. Bermuda and Zoysia prefer a lower mowing height. I recommend 1-3 inches. However, shorter cuts require more frequency. I recommend every 4-5 days, for warm season turf.

We have been experiencing a mildly dry year so far. Less rainfall than the past few years, but enough to support lawn growth. If you have not already, start your irrigation system up. Watering once or twice a week is sufficient at the moment (unless you have new seed), then start to increase as temperatures go up.

Pre-emergent applications should have been put down at this point which will serve as our first defense against annual spring weeds. For our March service, I will be focusing on maintaining this weed control. Post-emergent weed control products will be utilized to keep a weed-free turf stand.

Feel free to reply, call, or text with any questions you may have. I grow my business through referrals. Thank you for your continued support.