Spring Fertilization
Choose a quality lawn fertilizer that contains controlled release, slow-release, or water insoluble nitrogen. All of these terms refer to nitrogen sources that will release small amounts of nitrogen to the grass over an extended period of time, which leads to more uniform and healthy lawn.
Avoid applying large amounts of nitrogen fertilizer to lawns in spring, as serious lawn problems can result. Fertilize in moderation. March is not the time for fertilizing, wait until the lawn has been mowed a few times before fertilizing, typically late April or early May.
Crabgrass control
Crabgrass control is another spring lawn care concern. Crabgrass will not start germinating in lawns until late May or perhaps June, so there is plenty of time for applying preemergence herbicides. May 1 is a good target date for application. Many preemergence crabgrass herbicides come mixed with fertilizer.
Seeding in the Spring
Spring also is a popular time for seeding new lawns, although it is not the most favorable time. If it can be delayed, early fall is actually the optimum time because the upcoming weather conditions are more favorable there are less weeds during this time. Spring seeding can certainly work out very well, but oftentimes hot weather sets in before the new lawn is well established. If starting a new lawn in spring, try to seed it by mid-April.
Weed Control
Weed control can be minimized by good mowing and fertilization management, which help grass compete with weeds. Broadleaf or grassy weeds can be perennial, annual, or biennial. Control methods and timing vary depending on the weed species.
Disease Control
Proper management will greatly reduce a lawn's susceptibility to disease. Disease damage may be difficult to identify since many of the same symptoms are also caused by bad management or by natural factors, such as competition from tree roots. Most lawn diseases are caused by fungi; fungicides can be applied to control them.
Get the jump on West Nile
Mosquitoes carry this virus in their saliva and pass the virus to its victim when they bite.
It might surprise you how many places around your house mosquitoes might be breading
and growing.
Tubs, Rain gutters, Flower pots, Bird Baths, Flat roofs, House plants, Fish bowls,
Ponds, Old Tires, Area around air conditioning units.
Take a good look around your home for breading areas. Remember early removal.
Keep these areas clear of water before the weather begins to warm.
Houseplants or fish bowls can breed mosquitoes.. If you have a fish bowl or tank make sure it is not infested. If you have standing water when you irrigate your lawn or garden it could also be a place for mosquitoes to breed. Use a good soil surfactant to help the area drain and make adjustments to your irrigation system to prevent the pooling.
Keep old tires, tubs and any other item that might hold water covered or turned upside down to keep them clear of water. Any water holding tubs or birds baths should be cleaned weekly and fresh water used in them regularly.
*Clogged rain gutters will hold water and become a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Once you have eliminated the maybe not so obvious and the obvious breeding areas what can you do to get rid of mosquitoes in areas of standing water that you cannot eliminate? Use a labeled mosquito control product. If you have a pond, use a mosquito product that has ponds on the label. There are mosquito control BT biscuits that work quite well.
Try to use products that have 30-day control.
Be sure to use mosquito repellent when you are outdoors especially at dusk or dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
Selecting Grass Seed
Most lawns are combinations of Kentucky bluegrass, creeping red fescue, and perennial ryegrass. A mixture of three different grass species provides the maximum amount of pest resistance and environmental adaptability.
Kentucky bluegrass is the most common lawn grass. Blends of Kentucky bluegrass cultivars can provide a very high quality lawn but such lawns usually require above average maintenance levels. The spreading growth habit helps fill in bare spots but the grass goes dormant during hot, dry, summer weather.
Creeping red fescue has thread-like leaves and is the most shade tolerant lawn grass. This does not mean the grass grows only in shade or that it will tolerate total shade. It grows well in full sun and in fact requires some sun during the day.
Common perennial ryegrass often dies during the winter and does not mow well.
Only named cultivars of perennial ryegrass should be used in lawns.
The below mixture will provide a good quality lawn based on average. A good adaptable mix is listed below. It is not likely that it will be matched exactly but a number of mixes will come close. Some lawn care professional provide custom seed mixtures. The mix below provides a lawn suitable for sun or partial shade.
50% creeping red fescue, 30% Kentucky bluegrass, (can be 15% each of two cultivars), 20% named perennial ryegrass
Different lawn conditions may call for different mixtures ask your lawn care professional. A good example of this is, if the lawn will be subjected to heavy traffic increase the bluegrass to 50% and reduce the fescue to 30%.
Problem grasses
Problem grasses should be avoided.
Annual ryegrass is often sold as the major component of some very low priced grass seed. It will die out during the winter so forms a lawn that lasts for a single season.
Rough bluegrass is often found in shady grass mixes. It has a light green color and does not blend well with other lawn type grasses. It does however do well in moist, shaded sites.
Tall fescue is one of the two worst lawn weeds. Yet seed is available in most stores. The grass blades of a clump of tall fescue always seem to stay taller than the rest of the lawn. There is no selective control for this grass as the chemicals that kill tall fescue also kill other lawn grasses. Pure stands of this wear tolerant grass are often used on playgrounds or roadsides.
Zoysia is a warm season grass that turns brown early in the fall and stays brown until late into the spring. It is not better than the cool season grasses more commonly used in Michigan.
Bentgrass becomes established in a lawn and is the other of the two worst lawn weeds. The grass can tolerate very low mowings as on golf greens. At normal lawn heights it is shaggy and often kills out during the winter or during hot dry weather. There is no selective control for the problem.
