Steamboat Today: Bruce Lindal: Growing lawn grass tricky

Archive for Monday, June 22, 2009

Monday, June 22, 2009

Don't forget to fertilize

Fertilizer is one of the first maintenance activities that should be undertaken in the spring. Chances are, you'll need to add nitrogen to the soil to promote growth.

Apply nitrogen, according to label directions, during May to mid-June and again in mid-August to mid-September. A final fall application of phosphorus should be applied in September or early October as a final winterizing application. Phosphorus aids the grass in winter storage of nutrients and spring root growth, and reduces spring disease problems.

It's best to fertilize when the lawn is completely dry, or the fertilizer will adhere to the wet blades of grass and could cause damage. After applying fertilizer, water thoroughly to dissolve the fertilizer and allow it to seep toward the roots of the grass.

Steamboat Springs — There have recently been recommendations to plant native grasses in lawns to conserve water. This might not be the best thing to do. There are few if any native grasses that make good lawn grasses in this area, and seed is not available for most.

The two most commonly introduced grasses recommended in this area are tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass. Tall fescue is recommended as being drought resistant. It is a bunchgrass and tends to leave the lawn rough. It will die out if not watered during long drought periods. Under poor soil conditions it is a high water user. Kentucky bluegrass makes for the prettiest and smoothest lawn. It has the reputation of being a high water user.

There are dozens of varieties of bluegrass, some of which are drought resistant. Brilliant, Rugby II and Moonlight are three of those varieties that use less water. Bluegrass will go dormant during long drought periods and generally will not die out.

Water can be conserved by reducing the size of the grassy area and planting more xeriscape plants.

Any new lawn seeding should be mulched with straw or grass clippings and kept wet during establishment.

Smooth brome and crested wheatgrass are two introduced grasses that can be used in low maintenance areas and require little or no water.

Bruce Lindal is a Master Gardener with the CSU Extension Routt County. He also was the conservationist for National Resources Conservation Service in the 1960s in Steamboat Springs. Call 879-0825 with questions.