Today, a gentle steady rain. Peaceful.
Last month, as we approached the 4th of July holiday, we anticipated drier warmer weather. Well, as the spigot was turned off, so was the heat lamp turned on. 90-95 degree heat quickly caused browning of the fine bladed, cool weather grasses (Annual Bluegrass & Fine Fescues).
As one customer said to me: “I want you come look at mylawn; it just doesn’t look right”, in fact she was referring to the crabgrass that had invaded her front lawn. What you may think is a “nice green lawn” in your neighbor’s yard, may in fact be all crabgrass?
As I stated in my last newsletter, the pre-emergent crabgrass/stiltgrass barrier that may have been applied in the early spring was compromised by the unprecedented amount of heavy rainfall. Combine that with heat stress from blistering temperatures in July- causing disease damage- which then created more thin spots for crabgrass to invade. Crabgrass loves heat and moisture; we’ve had plenty of that this summer!
Crabgrass & J. Stiltgrass: Both will die later this fall with the first frost, causing discoloration and withering. At this time, attempting to “burn” the crabgrass may also affect your good grass. So what should be done? Seeding is the best answer; this fall put seed in the crabgrass areas. This will help to avoid “empty” areas when the crabgrass and Stiltgrass dies in the fall.
Power Seeding: Last Call for Seeding! We have started our unique fall Power Seeding service. Power seeding puts the seed into the ground- through crabgrass- so when the crabgrass dies the new seed will come right up through it. If you have not put in your order for seeding, please do so in the next 10 days or we may not be able schedule your work!
Broadleaf Weeds: The abundance of rainfall has also brought out unexpected weeds that we would not normally see until the middle of September. We will be treating these weeds with your fall service, unless seeding work is to be done. Seed and weed control are not compatible. So, if you are seeding, weed control will have to be performed in the spring. Please advise the office if you have put you own seed down, so both our efforts are working together.
Mowing: Continue to mow regularly and carefully when wet. Continue to mow gently through newly seeded areas. Heavy clippings will thin out your lawn and damage new seedlings that are trying to establish this fall. Avoid mowing heavy fallen leaves from your trees; it is best to blow off or vacuum your leaves on a 10 day interval. Wet fallen leaves will cause thinning of your lawn, so plan ahead this fall.
PLANT CARE
In the last 3 years the abnormally wet weather has made plant and tree diseases more prevalent. Trees that have been most effected are Blue Spruce, Douglas Fir, Leyland Cypress, Black Pine, American Dogwood, and Ornamental Cherry. Some diseases can be controlled and some can not. Many of these evergreens are used in screening along fence rows, often times planted too close together. If you are faced with older diseased trees, replacement and/or successional planting with hardier and varied plants is the answer. Choose plants that are better adapted to the warm wet conditions; most firs and spruce belong in the cool mountain areas. Better spacing, whether it is wider or zigzag, allows air and light between the trees to help limit disease activity. I have included a list of the most common diseases and trees they infect.
Rhizosphaera Needle Cast: Douglas Fir, Short needle Pines, Spruce
Diplodia Tip Blight: Douglas Fir, Short needle Pines
Cytospora: Spruce trees
Seiredium & Botryosphaera Cancor: Leyland Cypress
Anthracnose: American Dogwood, Sycamore, Ornamental Cherry
Phytophera: soil borne disease affected many trees and shrubs
Powdery Mildew: ornamental trees, shrubs and perennials
Tree companies have been very busy this year: storm damage this spring; ongoing removal of Ash trees from the invasion of Emerald Ash boring Beetles; and the ever-present diseases (mentioned above) infecting spruce and fir trees. If you are planning simple tree removal, schedule in the winter when rates may be lower.
“Timber!!”
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Recipe from Angel : Pumpkin French Toast
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Tony Richardson
Lawn Doctor
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