It is August, and it is hot and dry. Previous columns discussed strategies to keep in-the-ground and containergrown plants maintained in the summer heat. We continue this theme with a look at maintenance of summer lawns: irrigation, weed management, fertilization, and equipment care.
Irrigation. A reminder that the rule in effective irrigation is to apply water deeply and spaced between waterings.
The goal in applying water to any plant is to establish and promote a robust root system. The amount of water applied at one time is important. To promote a deep root system the rule in irrigation is to apply 1-inch of water at each watering. Deep watering allows the water to move from the surface to deeper in the soil profile. Water in root systems that have fully wetted the soil several inches below the surface does not evaporate as quickly as the water at the surface.
However, applying less than 1 inch of water at a time results in root systems that grow only at the surface. The ground dries out quickly since the soil surface never fully wets. The result is a shallow root system that lacks sufficient depth to access water deeper in the soil profile. Frequent, shallow irrigations may be enough for some lawns but not in West Texas. Roots that never penetrate below the surface quickly dry and shrivel, leaving bare or thinning spots.
Deep and healthy root systems are achieved by applying enough water at one time to thoroughly wet the root zone.
Weed management. Lawns that have begun to thin leave the soil surface exposed. Weed seed easily establishes in bare soil. The best prevention of a weed invasion is a healthy, full lawn. Lawns that are thinning may need to be reseeded. Now is the time to put down fresh grass seed.
Fertilization. Healthy roots develop on healthy plants. Lawns need periodic boosts of nutrients. After a summer of watering to keep the grass alive, it likely needs an application of nitrogen. Green lawns have actively growing leaf blades. Lawns that are beginning to yellow or lose their green, would benefit from added nutrients.
Equipmentcare. Consider if blades of the lawn mower are sharp. Grass blades that are showing browned tips may have been shredded rather than cut. Shredded tips weaken the blades, inducing stress and increasing water loss.
Ellen Peffley Harp, a retired professor of horticulture at Texas Tech University, writes about gardening for several Texas newspapers.
