With summer approaching it’s time to be concerned with the watering schedule you have your lawns on. Most homes here in Santa Clarita have automatic sprinklers, meaning there is a controlling time clock telling the system when and how much to water. Summer heat seems to come all at once, and usually catches us off guard. Adjust them up from the winter or spring schedule when the heat starts so enough water is used to keep the lawn healthy. Remember, if you haven’t checked the uniform coverage of your system do so by placing a dozen or so styrofoam cups around the lawn, turning on the system for five minutes or so and checking the cups for the same amount of water in each. If the levels of water vary, adjust the heads using an adjustment screwdriver, the center of most of all sprinkler heads has an adjustment screw: right turns the flow down, left opens it up, allowing more water to flow. Set the timer to water when the wind would be the least, and we believe the best time is morning.
Next raise the mower, most Fescue lawns (a popular variety in SC) should be mowed at around two and a half inches during the summer months, and they should be mowed on a weekly basis. If you leave the clippings on the lawn, be sure they are 1/4 inch or less; if longer, they will not decompose and will bring other problems like insects or fungus to the lawn. Leaving the clippings on the lawn is actually good for the turf, returning both nutrients and moisture to the lawn.
Fertilizing the lawn in the summer should be done with a low nitrogen-balanced fertilizer, most high nitrogen fertilizers (it’s the first number of the three on the label) will cause forced growth, which will require more water and make the lawn weak to summer disease and insects.
Check the soil conditions under your lawn. Using a screwdriver, try pushing it into the ground. If it goes in easily so will the water you put on the lawn. If it’s hard to push in, most of the water will not soak in but run off, wasting precious water your lawn will need. To correct this you will need to core aireate (not spike) the lawn. Most rental yards rent the core aireator machines, and there are a number of good lawn services that also provide the service. Don’t waste the water — be sure to check for this. If you have any further questions on summer lawn care, call us at 661-702-1196. We will be happy to answer any questions we can.
Gary Vallen is General Manager at Superior Sod Castaic Ranch. For more information, please call 661-702-1196, 800-344-7317 and visit www.superiorsod.com .