Turf Tips and Tricks |
Great looking turf requires proper fertilization, irrigation, and mowing. My fertilization package will supply all the necessary nutrients to keep the lawn looking great throughout the growing season. Irrigation and mowing information can be found below. If you ever have a question about your turf, feel free to give me a call!
Deep and infrequent watering is recommended so that turf roots can follow the moisture down into the soil. The deeper your roots grow, the more water they will retain during the hot summer months. Due to the slow penetration of water into clay soils, I recommend soak and cycle watering. Click the button to the left to learn the basics of this watering method. Try to apply a half inch of water onto your turf each day that you water. The number of watering days per week will depend on the E.T. Rate and Rainfall Data linked below. I recommend an irrigation start time of 3 a.m. as university studies have shown that this is the best time to irrigate in our region to avoid fungal complications.
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Evapotranspiration is the process by which water is transferred from the land to the atmosphere by evaporation from the soil and other surfaces and by transpiration from plants. The number of watering days per week should be set to slightly overcome the weekly losses displayed in the link to the left.
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The link to the left shows the areas in Kansas that are experiencing drought conditions and the level of drought in each region. Additional historical data for Johnson County can be generated by clicking the "View More Statistics" button at the bottom of the drought monitor website and changing the area type to County.
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The link to the left shows all of the rainfall data collected by the high end weather stations located near most schools and parks in our area. It can be a great resource for determining additional irrigation needs throughout the year.
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Mowing your turf with the correct frequency and height of cut is very important for its health and overall appearance. Click the button to the left to learn more about proper mowing techniques. I recommend keeping bluegrass and tall fescue lawns between 3 and 3.5 inches in height throughout the growing season. In mid-summer and during periods of drought, cut the lawn on the higher end of the range to improve water retention and to provide more shade to the baking soil below.
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