HAMMERSTONE LAWN CARE, INC.
813 FALCON ROAD* LILLINGTON, NC 27546* 919-662-0747* 800-756-5296
A SHORT NOTE ON THE SUMMER APPLICATION
FROM HAMMERSTONE TO OUR VALUED CUSTOMERS
FROM HAMMERSTONE TO OUR VALUED CUSTOMERS
Your Summer Application is Pelletized Limestone, containing both calcium and magnesium needed for plant growth. This product is water soluble and dissolves quickly to neutralize soil acidity. Regular annual limestone applications are essential for healthy lawns due to naturally acidic soils. A proper pH balance in the lawn enhances disease resistance and utilization of plant nutrients.
The soil reaction or pH can have considerable influence on the availability of certain nutrients in the soil solution. For example, acidic soils with a pH below 6 have reduced phosphorous availability because it is tied up in unavailable forms. In addition, strongly acidic soils are depleted of calcium and magnesium. Thus, pH's in the range of 6 to 7 result in the best overall availability of essential nutrients in the soil solution. It is also the preferred pH range for rooting and decomposition of organic matter by microorganisms. Significant portions of the soil nitrogen and sulfur are tied up in organic residues of plants, such as grass clippings. Therefore, their release rate is related to decomposition processes controlled by microorganism activity.
There are 16 nutrients that are essential for plant growth. The absence of any one of these nutrients can cause plant death. These nutrients are essential in the metabolic and physiological processes as components of organic compounds or are required in the synthesis of these organic compounds. Three essential elements, carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen are derived from water and carbon dioxide. The remaining 13 nutrients are absorbed primarily from the soil via the root system. Thus, an active, extensive turfgrass root system can be an important dimension in ensuring nutrient uptake from the soil.
We at Hammerstone make every effort to insure that we do our part in providing the nutrients needed to grow healthy turfgrass, but we alone can not be responsible for premium quality turf. You the homeowner must make the commitment along with us to make this happen. Proper maintenance is worth the time and labor it takes. Believe us, if it were not so we would tell you. We know a lot about turfgrass at Hammerstone and we take pride in the educating of our customers. So please follow the suggestions we have for the summer.
National research shows that tall fescue actually requires more water than other turfgrasses. However, because its root system can be 1 to 4 feet deep, it has access to more water than other turfgrasses. Tall fescue needs 2 to 3 1/2 inches of water a week, according to the latest research.
Do not make the assumption that tall fescue is drought tolerant. If topsoil is shallow (less than 6 inches) or of poor quality, tall fescue may not be able to develop a very vigorous root system. The root system may be less than 1 foot in depth, rather than 1 to 4 feet deep. This is the number one problem in this area. If this is the case, you will see browning areas in your lawn when the temperatures reach the 80's and the soil moisture is inadequate. In that case, you must provide the water the plants need. The long-term solution to this problem may be the addition of topsoil and the installation of an underground irrigation system.
Also, remember that water supplies only two of the 16 essential nutrients needed to sustain plant life. Not only will a poor root system hinder in the uptake of water, but it will hinder the uptake of the other 14 nutrients as well. Here are a few suggestions for minimizing turf loss, if the drought we have been experiencing continues throughout the summer. Raise your mowing height to five to six inches; yes 5 to 6 inches. This will encourage deeper rooting, making your lawn healthier. If you do water your lawn, use deep infrequent irrigation.
What about insects? We will be happy to apply an insecticide at the cost of your regular application price. This will help in the fight against ticks, fleas, and grubs. We all know the problem with ticks and fleas, but what do the grubs do? Grubs eat the roots of grass plants, thus contributing to the problem discussed earlier. Give us a call, to schedule the insect application.
Disease development in your lawn is dependent upon susceptible plants, a favorable environment and a pathogen. Diseases will not occur unless all factors are present simultaneously over a certain period of time. The most serious disease occurring in fescue lawns during the summer is rhizoctonia brown patch. Most diseases can be effectively controlled with timely applications of fungicides providing environmental conditions are not too unfavorable for the turfgrasses in use. Fungicides can be applied either: prior to anticipated disease incidences (preventive), or following the appearance of disease symptoms (curative). We at Hammerstone use a broad-spectrum fungicide that controls many of the common turfgrass diseases encountered during the summer. A general description of brown patch would include: circular brown patches up to 3 feet in diameter in low cut turf and may be larger in higher cut turf. 'Smoke ring" or grayish black aeril mycelium may be present in the early morning under high humidity conditions. The areas will first appear water soaked and dark, upon becoming dry they will wither and turn light brown usually from the tip of the grass blade back. Reliance upon curative fungicide treatments often involves several applications to insure turf recovery. The cost of a fungicide application is the same as your regular application charge. Call now and schedule your fungicide application if brown patch is a problem in your lawn! Please remember, a preventive spray program will minimize the risk of disease damage. This can generally he accomplished with lower labeled rates and sometimes less frequent applications depending on environmental conditions. To bring established diseases under control, a "curative" schedule. requiring higher fungicide rates and more frequent applications, is needed. During and for some time after a curative program, unsightly brown, dead areas may remain. Complete renovation is occasionally necessary to regain healthy grass. Your best assurance for maintaining vigorous turf and beautiful ornamentals is a preventive spray program.
During the early part of August, we will mail you information regarding the scheduling of our fall seeding program. Please look it over and call in to schedule your fall seeding appointment. Remember, it may make more sense to spend money on seed every fall, than to water all summer and end up having to seed anyway. Seventy-five to eighty-five percent of all fescue lawns must be seeded every fall, due to stressful summers and adverse environmental conditions in this area.
We will be out in August to do the Fall Application, which includes the slow release dry granular fertilizer for fall root development. This application will help to bring your lawn out of summer dormancy.
Please, call us if you have any questions or concerns about your lawn. Our office hours are Monday thru Friday, 8am - 4pm. Carla Pace, our office manager, will be happy to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have.
Call: (919-662-0747 or 1-800-756-5296)
Sincerely yours,
Wayne Farrar, President
Hammerstone Lawn Care, Inc.
