Warm Season Grasses (Bermuda, Centipede, Zoysia, St. Augustine)

* Warm season grasses can still be planted during June and July but it is very important to keep new lawns watered until established.

n Mow at the correct height, removing no more than 1/3 the height of the grass. If Bermuda does not stay completely green after each mowing, raise the height of the mower by ½ inch to 1 inch. Leave grass cuttings on Bermuda but remove from Centipede, Zoysia and St. Augustine.

* Bermuda and St. Augustine should be fertilized at the end of June to the beginning of July. Use fertilizer recommended for your type of grass. Zoysia should be fertilized at the beginning of July if it is not dark green and thick. These applications should last until the end of August. Centipede should be fertilized at the beginning of July with a slow-release low phosphorous Centipede fertilizer. Water all fertilizers in thoroughly if it does not rain.

* Warm season lawns can be aerated in June and July. This will help water and nutrients get into the soil. Dethatching can also be done in June and July.

* Weeds can be sprayed with a post-emergent herbicide. Identify the type of weed and choose the herbicide accordingly. If there aren’t very many, handpicking can be effective; make sure you pull out by the roots. Crabgrass can be especially difficult to kill and more than one application might be necessary.

n Webworms and cutworms feed on grass blades at night. Spidery webbing on the surface of the lawn in early morning is a sign of webworms. Patches of cut grass blades are a sign of cutworms. Control both with a soil insecticide approved for your type of grass. Armyworms feed in masses during the day and can do severe damage. Chinch bugs can be a big problem on Saint Augustine and Centipede. Look for patches of yellow or wilted grass in sunny areas. Treat with an approved soil insecticide.

Cool Season Grasses

(Tall Fescue and

Kentucky Blue Grass)

* Do not aerate cool season lawns during the summer. Wait until early September.

* Lawns may be raked, but do not mechanically dethatch during the summer.

* If there is little rain, Fescue must be watered during dry spells to prevent serious die-off. One inch of water per week is recommended. Water deeply rather than frequently.

* You should not fertilize during June or July as you do not want to encourage growth during the hot, dry summer.

* Do not plant seed or sod during this time. Mow at the recommended height removing no more than 1/3 of the height at a time.

* Existing weeds can be treated with a post-emergent spray. As always, read the labels and use the correct product approved for use on your grass.

* Soil insecticides may be applied if insects are causing damage.



Information about Extension Solutions for Homes and Gardens can be found on the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension website at www.caes.uga.edu/extension/cherokee or by contacting the Cherokee County Extension Office at 100 North St., Suite G21 in Canton at (770) 479-0418. The Georgia Extension Master Gardener Program is a volunteer training program offered through county offices of the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension.