June 24, 2010

Here's Randy's Weekly KTRH GardenLine Tip:

Issue #167

Wow! More than a week of 95-degree temperatures, little rain, and we haven't even reached July 1 yet.

If you follow my lawn fertilization schedule, this is the time of year we normally do the summer application. But, with the excessive heat and lack of rain, should you still do it?

Yes!

Thanks for listening, and I'll see you next week!

Okay, so it's not that simple. But, if you've been following the fertilization schedule, and your lawn is healthy because you have a good watering program, stay on track. A truly healthy yard is its own best defense against drought, and the only way to keep a yard healthy is to keep adding nutrients. Still, there are some caveats you may need to consider. So, maybe the real is answer is a qualified yes to continuing the schedule during hot, dry weather.

Again ... if you have an irrigation system, and it's working well, you should stay on schedule. But here are some things to consider:

Hyper-watering can cause a depletion of soil nutrition faster than consistent rains. Your lawn may be in need of nutrients if you're watering more than Mother Nature would under more normal conditions.

Municipal water may contain a high level of chlorine, causing nutrient depletion and yellowing. That may indicate the need for a general feeding.

If your irrigation system is not working well, you should probably suspend the schedule until it is fixed. Nitrogen-rich fertilizers (even organic ones) require a lot of water to help break down their components.

If you fertilize and forget to water, you will likely burn the lawn.

You can also wait a few days or weeks to do the summer fertilization, if you prefer to see more rains in the forecast. When we start to see increased precipitation, put down the fertilizer per the schedule just before a drenching shower comes through. Remember, "It's never too late to do the right thing."

If your lawn if healthy looking or greener than your neighbors', you can wait until the weather changes if you'd like.

In areas where there has been obvious drought stress, consider using soil activators or liquid organics to help soften the soil before any granular fertilizer application.

If you have a different situation, please e-mail or call the GardenLine show this weekend. I can always handle your question on a case-by-case basis.

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