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Time to work on cool season lawn
By Richard C. Snell
Barton County Extension Agent, Agriculture
Most of us get "lawn-fever" in the early spring after having been cooped up inside all winter waiting for the cold weather to subside. On the other hand, by September you may be growing weary of yard work. But hang on folks, now is the time to plant a new cool-season turf, or rejuvenate a "tired," thin one.
First let's make sure that everyone knows what we mean by cool-season. Fescue, bluegrass and ryegrass are the primary cool-season lawn grasses that we talk about. There are many weedy grasses as well as pasture grasses that are cool-season but we are focusing on the ones you want in your lawn.
Cool-season means they green up early, like in early March and stay that way until hot weather hits in June, then they will still stay green with water but brown out more in typical un-watered summer conditions.
They then flourish again in September through November. They really like mild temperatures, but really never turn completely brown, just a pale green in the middle of winter and middle of summer.
So, here are some tips for improving your cool-season lawn.
New seedings: If you are planning to establish a new cool-season lawn from seed, plant it as soon as possible! September is the best time to seed cool-season species, because weed competition is reduced, air temperatures are cooling, and soil temperatures are still on the warm side for rapid germination. First, get rid of undesirable perennial grasses like Bermudagrass, if they are present, by spraying glyphosate (Roundup).
Two applications, 7 days apart, may be required (you still may not get all the Bermuda, but this is the best time to try!). Watering and fertilizing the Bermuda in advance may help you get a better kill.
Then plant tall fescue and perennial ryegrass at 6 to 8 lbs./1000 square feet, and Kentucky bluegrass at 2 to 3 lbs./1000 square feet. Use good quality seed of improved cultivars. My preference in this area is fescue. If you are really on top of your watering and have a sprinkler system, I like the texture and quality of the Kansas fine leaf fescue blends. If you are more likely to have drought and have to drag out the hose to water, I still like the old K-31. I also think it might be a little more shade tolerant.
Be sure to keep the seed constantly moist until germination (if weather is hot, you will need to water several times per day). The young seedlings also will require frequent irrigation until they are well-established. Water daily at first, then gradually return to a normal watering schedule. Apply a starter fertilizer at the time of seeding, then apply an additional pound of nitrogen/1000 sq. ft. 4 to 6 weeks after the seedlings have emerged.
Renovating an existing lawn: An excellent way to renovate an existing lawn is to seed after thoroughly core cultivating. Make as many passes with the machine as are necessary to obtain an average spacing between holes of 2 inches or less (usually 2 or 3 passes are required). Sow the desired species at the above recommended rates (in moderately thin areas, half-rates are adequate), and lightly rake or drag the lawn surface to help the seed fall into the holes. Water and fertilize as described above.
Beef stocker field day
This year's beef stocker cattle event that K-State has put on annually for the last 5 years will have a different twist as it will be an outdoor field day as opposed to a conference.
The date is Friday, Sept. 17 and it will be held as always in Manhattan. The location will be the new KSU Beef Stocker Unit, (formerly the range unit). It is located in the far northwest part of town on west Marlatt Avenue, just west of Seth Childs Road.
The program begins with registration and coffee starting at 9:30 a.m. Introductions will begin at 10:15 a.m., with the actual program speakers getting underway at 10:30 a.m.
Mark Spire, DVM, from the College of Veterinary Medicine will give an update on the National Animal Identification Plan. Then Rodney Christmas, Elanco Animal Health, will discuss the Development and Implementation of Animal Health Protocols.
At noon, you will be able to enjoy a beef brisket lunch prepared by Cox Brothers Smokehouse of Manhattan. Door prizes will be given away throughout the day.
After lunch, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., there will be breakout sessions. They will include: Guiding Factors to Watch in the New Price Paradigm by Ann Barnhardt, a commodity broker; BVD: A Potential Iceberg by Larry Hollis, K-State Extension veterinarian; Elector: Introduction of A New Insecticide Technology by Katie Janssen, Elanco Animal Health; Brush Management Tips by Walt Fick, K-State range management specialist; Results of the Kansas Trucking Survey by Mark Spire, K-State DVM; Animal Identification Technology by Dale Blasi, extension beef stocker specialist; and Charlie Lee, K-State Wildlife Damage Control specialist.
Registration cost per person is $20 in advance, but $30 at the door. We have registration forms at the county Extension office.
After the field day, please be our guests for a good old-fashioned Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry--the Cutting Bull's Lament.
Stick around on Saturday, Sept. 18, and watch the K-State Wildcats take on Louisiana-Lafayette on the football field. To reserve your seats, call 1-800-221-CATS or access www.k-statesports.com.
Date: 9/23/04
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