March 23, 2010

Growing Green
with Extension Educator Robin Trott

Stay off the Grass!

This early spring weather has really spurred my urge to get gardening. My dreary winter lawn is just crying for attention, and it is all I can do to keep from grabbing my rake. If you are also tempted to get started on your lawn, remember these pointers. Don't begin yard work when your lawn is wet or muddy. Raking your lawn when the soil is cold and muddy can uproot your healthy grass plants and can increase soil compaction. You can begin raking when the soil is no longer soft and muddy. The same goes for mowing. Get your lawn mower ready for the coming season by sharpening the blades, and cleaning and servicing the mower, but don't mow until the soil is warm and dry. Early mowing can also cause damage to your grass, and compact the soil.

This year we have had an inordinate amount of snow mold. It's that ugly, gray, cob-webby mass that appeared on your lawn after the snow melted. The deep, long lasting snow this past winter in combination with the mid season rains created an ideal environment for snow mold growth. The good news is that the mold doesn't create excessive long term damage of your lawn, and will disappear with dry, warm, sunny weather. To decrease the amount of snow mold next year, make sure you rake leaves and mow the lawn before the first snow fall.

Stay off the Grass!

If you have had trouble with crab-grass, a pre-emergent can be used in mid-April through May. Pre-emergent crab grass controls are often incorporated in spring lawn fertilizer. They work be inhibiting the germination of crab grass seed overwintering in your lawn, so don't use a pre-emergent on a lawn that you are over-seeding.

For more lawn care information, visit the extension website at: www.extension.umn.edu or the SULIS website at www.sustland.umn.edu/index.html.

Until Next Time, Happy Gardening!

“I believe a leaf of grass is no less than the journey-work of the stars. ”

~Walt Whitman