Cool Tips for Cool Season Turfgrasses
Most of our lawns are comprised of Kentucky bluegrass or a mix of grasses with bluegrass being predominant. Bluegrass is also called a cool season turf. Buffalo-grass would be an example of a warm season grass.
What does this mean? This means that our lawns green up early in the year. When the heat of the summer arrives, bluegrass plants slow down their growth. If subject to drought during the summer, they may turn brown and go dormant. Once this occurs, recovery is slow, only occurring when the ninety degree air temperatures abate in late August into September. It is this summer slow down or dormancy that we are looking to avoid and the prevention is now.
In addition to the green turfgrass plants you see now there are roots below the soil surface. Strong deep roots guard against dry summertime soils by mining soil moisture deeper in the soil profile where water is available. Now is the time to encourage deep root growth.
Lawn Aeration
Spring is an excellent time to aerate and there is still time left. As the soils cool, root growth increases. Aerations with an aerator that pulls plugs out of the soil will encourage grass roots to grow deeper in the soil.
Clippings
Many of us are now tuned into mulching our clippings back into the soil. Gone are the days when clippings are blamed for thatch buildup. Turf clippings are a good source of decaying organic matter that feed the soil microbes. The microbes are able to “reclaim” the nutrients in the clippings back to the soil. In turn, the turf can use these nutrients again. But there is a temptation to bag the first few mowings which can include residual tree leaves and other litter. Resist this temptation. The leaves and left over litter are great to reclaim as well and will add to the soil microflora.
Fertilization
Plants most effectively use fertilizers when the roots are growing. Spring lawn fertilizers account for quick green up, but also lush root growth.
Watering
Colorado’s spring weather is unpredictable. Irrigation systems may need adjustment or simply turned off during periods of heavy rainfall. Puddling and standing water may cause root systems to weaken as soil oxygen is driven out. Weakened root systems are no match for our hot and dry summers.
Spring in Colorado is the best time to prepare your lawn for summer conditions.
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