This article is written by Ron Cowart, owner and operator of Cowart Turf Grass Management. All properties are treated as if they were his own. Management practices used on an “as needed” basis. Ron is a certified South Carolina Commercial Pesticide Applicator. For his service to help you with your yard, please call (803) 513-4242 or email him at cowartconsulting@gmail.com.
“Lawn Tips for Your Yard”
January to most people is a quiet time of year when nothing is happening in the landscape. Most leaves have fallen from the deciduous shrubs and trees, the lawn mower has been stored, and the turf grass is dormant. What else is there to do?
January is the beginning of a very busy season. This is the time to make plans for your turf grass area:
- Measure the lawn area.
- Submit soil samples early in January.
- Estimate the amounts of post emerge and pre emerge herbicides needed for the year. Check on the broad leaf winter weed population. A post emerge herbicide for winter broad leaf weeds must be applied before turf grass begins coming out of dormancy. There were many lawns burned last year from post emerge herbicides being applied as the lawns were coming out of dormancy. Since our seasons were about 15 to 20 days early in January and February of last year, the end of January or first week in February should be safe for application.
- Estimate the fertilizer needs based upon the late January test results. These fertilizers should be applied in May and July, especially those containing nitrogen.
Estimate the types and amounts of various pesticides that may be needed to control problems like fire ants.
