2023 Fall
OME
&Yard
Drought damage
to lawns
does not have to remain permanent
PHOTO BY TIM HENNAGIR
Dennis and Shae Taute, owners of Central Whitetail Lawn Care LLC, are in the lawn maintenance, fertilizing and weed control business. The Foley couple recently described what is normal and what is not regarding grass care from mid-August to mid-September as well as how to deal with drought.
“We recommend delaying Foley lawncare company offers suggestions to help save yards fertilizer applications to avoid
A soil test is part of the basic renovation steps to achieving a an excess amount of nitrogen healthy, sustainable lawn. during hot, dry conditions unless Extension horticulture BY TIM HENNAGIR removed. yards. STAFF WRITER educators can help with this Here is a basic plan to help you have a secondary watering “We would hope no lawn gets to the point where you need get lawns green once more. The option,” Taute said. “Remember, task. Contact a county extension weeds always compete with office for information. Dennis and Shae Taute, to start over,” Dennis Taute said. steps suggested by the Tautes turf.” Cutting lawns extremely do not represent an overnight owners of Central Whitetail “The costliest option to rebuild By following these simple short in drought can injure or Lawn Care LLC, have seen your lawn is having new sod laid process. Everything will take suggestions, a homeowner will wear out dormant grasses which drought cycles come and go. down. If time is not a factor and time. help the lawn regain its normal may not come back in cooler Mow irregularly, meaning After 10 years in the lawn you are looking to save money, growth cycle. conditions. mow less often and make sure maintenance, fertilizing and then you will want to consider “In an ideal scenario, a slow, Therefore, it is important weed control business, the Foley reseeding your lawn. Each option deck height is higher because steady rainfall every few days to always cut grass at an longer grass will keep the soil couple can quickly describe has pros and cons.” appropriate height. cooler and will not need as much for a couple hours each time is what is normal and what is not University of Minnesota ideal to help keep the ground “Higher is better,” Taute water. regarding grass care from midExtension recommends soil and nutrients thriving,” said. “The general rule to follow Stay off the yard so there August to mid-September. renovation as a solution when Taute said. would be 3-4 inches. That will is not any disruption with Grass tends to rest during broad-leaved weeds such as Different types of soil keep the soil cooler and not times of heat and drought. If dandelion, plantain, knotweed or regrowth. Water thoroughly, absorb rainfall differently. Soils needing as much water. If you once every two to three days is there is not consistent natural grassy weeds such as crabgrass are in an area that has a watering good, especially in the evenings. made of clay will absorb water precipitation, there is a higher cover about 30% to 50% of the ban, the best thing to do is water Treat weeds on turf, because slowly and stay moist longer. risk for severe lawn and root lawn and there is not enough Soil that is concentrated when you can, and again, the they will soak up all the nutrients damage, and more effort will existing turf cover to fill in with more sand absorbs rainfall best time to do so are early intended for the grass. be needed to help restore life to the bare areas once weeds are faster but dries quicker. morning and late evening.” It is important to Taute also dispelled A supplement to the know the soil type. a common homeowner That knowledge will misconception regarding brown help yards thrive, grass and dead-looking lawns. especially with seasonal maintenance. Lawncare page 2B
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