Secretes To A Beautiful Florida Grass
If you are like most people don’t realize that your Florida Grass is a living organism. She eats, breaths through a process called photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants use light to make sugar and oxygen from carbon dioxide and water. If you understand how this simple process works you can work with your lawn to help it be healthy and happy.
Let’s deal with the most common type of Florida grass found in South Florida St. Augustine lawn “Floratam” and “Palmetto”Variety.
Typically you have your lawn mowed every 2 weeks.
A common malpractice is scalping, Scalping is the practice of mowing your lawn at ¾ to 1 inch high so you can keep it from growing between cuts.
If you where a hair stylist you would have been sued and had your license taken away.
You need to think of mowing in how do you make your Florida grass look pretty, this is why women go to stylist and men go to barbers.
Scalping is killing your lawn, you are asking your lawn to look green (chlorophyll) when you keep taking away the very thing it needs to produce green. “in its Leaf Blade” where the process of photosynthesis takes place. By scalping you are stressing her out and making her susceptible to insects, diseases and weeds.
Remember weeds are plants too and need photosynthesis, if your grass is short weeds can spring up. If you allow you lawn be taller the shade of the lawn over the weed will naturally kill the weed.
Another malpractice is watering most people drown their lawn which causes an condition know as root rot, or dehydrate it. The key is not how much water you think she needs but rather find out how much she really needs. Take her needs into consideration, listen to your lawn.
So here is a general rule of thumb to keeping your Florida grass healthy and happy.
1. Mowing 101
Mow you lawn at 3 to 4 inches in height and mow it when she gets to 5 or 6 inches high, do not trim off more than a third of her leaf blade at a time this will allow for correct photosynthesis allowing it to produce her food and develop deep roots.
2. Water less frequent and deeper.
For example only twice per week 15 to 45 minutes. St. Augustine Floratam or Palmetto only needs about 1 inch of rain per week.
By doing this you allow it to drink what she needs and allow the soil to drain between irrigations producing a downward flow creating deeper healthier roots.
Buy an inexpensive soil moisture tester from a local home and garden store and test weekly until you find the amount for your lawn.
3. Fertilizing.
Fertilize in April, June, August, and October when grass is growing and needs more food with a lawn Fertilizer like 15-0-15 with a 50% slow release of nitrogen and an Iron supplement in November, December, January, March to help maintain green color in the winter.
Do not fertilize over the winter or drought.
Pull weeds by hand or spot apply weed control only to affected areas.
If you follow these simple steps you can have a happy healthy lawn with less weeds, insects and funguses saving you money.
If you have a pest problem on your lawn see our post https://www.naturepest.com/lawn-pests-control-insecticides/
For More info on your Florida grass visit http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/lh010
If you wish to have us perform your lawn care program give us a call for a free lawn care consultation.
