18 Apr Turf Defenders Lawn Health Blog | April Turf Health Tips:
In this months Lawn Health Blog, we discuss the best practices to help your lawn recover from winter conditions and green up quickly.
Arkansas Lawn Care: How to Manage Spring Turf Transition
April showers bring May flowers—but they also bring a critical lawn health period during transition for warm-season grasses in Arkansas. Greenbrier and Conway lawns are exceptionally stressed this season as the winter drought continues. As your lawn breaks winter dormancy, it begins shifting energy toward new top growth and filling in bare spots caused by winter weeds, fall fungal damage, or dry patches.
To help your lawn green up successfully, follow these four essential spring lawn care tips from the pros at Turf Defenders Inc.
1. Time Your Spring Fertilizer and Fungicides
When it comes to spring lawn health, timing is everything. Applying fertilizer too early increases the risk of lawn fungus. Because mild spring nights and heavy rainfall create the perfect breeding ground for disease, you must monitor your lawn closely.
If you notice spotty leaf blades, integrate a fungicide into your management plan. Fungi—especially in Zoysia and St. Augustine lawns—are best controlled when they are actively growing.
2. Go Easy on Selective Weed Control
The spring transition is a delicate time for turf grass. Right now, winter annual weeds like Poa annua, henbit, and wild onions are reaching the end of their life cycles.
We want to avoid heavy applications of selective herbicides on young, transitioning turf. Over-applying chemicals right now can delay your lawn’s natural green-up process. If applying your own products in addition to our applications. Always strictly follow the application rates on the product label.
3. Hold Off on Lawn Irrigation
While it is almost time to open your sprinkler system, you don’t need to water just yet. Spring rainfall amounts in Arkansas are usually sufficient for your grass’s current needs.
When dry weather arrives, remember the three core rules of effective watering:
- Never water in the evening: Excess water sitting on leaf blades overnight encourages fungal growth and disease.
- Avoid watering in the heat of the day: Water evaporates too quickly in the midday sun, wasting resources. Furthermore, water droplets can act as a magnifying lens, burning the grass.
- Water deeply and irregularly: Soaking your lawn 2 to 3 times a week is far better than daily, shallow watering. Gaps between watering force grass roots to grow deeper, making your lawn drought-resilient.
4. Get a Professional Lawn Health Assessment
Every yard has unique needs during the spring transition. If you want a lush, weed-free yard this summer, let the experts help.
Turf Defenders Inc. provides 100% FREE Lawn Health Assessments. We will build a customized turf grass management plan to protect your lawn from weeds and insects while delivering a customer-first experience.
Schedule your FREE lawn health consultation today!
CALL or TEXT Us anytime 501.581.2196
Written by: Roy Summers
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