Get Ready...Get Set...Green-up!

March ushers in more than just warmer weather, daffodils, and shamrocks. This month also means that warm-season grasses such as bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, St. Augustine grass, and centipedegrass will start coming out of winter dormancy and greening up. What does this mean for homeowners? For March, it mostly means it is time to get prepared for the vigorous summer growing (and mowing!) season ahead.

If you have not had your soil tested in the last three or four years, a good place to start your preparations would be sending in a soil sample. Results from your soil test will give you information on soil pH, lime requirements, and soil nutrient levels of phosphorous, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, and zinc. Allowing plenty of time to get your results will mean that you are ready to apply your first application of nitrogen to hybrid bermudagrass and St. Augustine, and your only N application to centipedegrass, in early April. Contact your local Extension agent for information on taking, sending, and interpreting a soil test.

Mowing is the most important maintenance practice for a good quality lawn, but is also the most overlooked. Get your lawn mower in tip-top working condition now to prevent tedious setbacks in later spring. Change the oil if needed and fill the gas tank. Then you will be ready to mow as soon as your lawn exceeds 1 ½ times the desired mowing height. Of particular importance is the sharpness of the mower blades. Whether you use a reel or rotary mower, maintaining the cutting blades is of utmost importance. Dull mower blades damage turfgrass leaf blades causing them to turn brown and giving the lawn an overall dull appearance. Sharp mower blades cut turfgrass leaves cleanly, ensuring rapid healing and re-growth.

March is also the best time to apply pre-emergent herbicides for control of pesky summer annual grasses. The most effective control of crabgrass, goosegrass, etc. is accomplished by applying an herbicide such as pendimethalin (for all warm-season grasses) or atrazine (for centipede, St. Augustine, and zoysia). If you have missed the application window for pre-emergence control, atrazine, MSMA (NOT for centipede or St. Augustine), or an herbicide containing a mixture of these and MCPP and/or dicamba can provide effective control of summer weeds in your home lawn. Always read and follow label directions exactly when applying herbicides.

So get ready and get set, because your grass is about to grow! Get a jumpstart on the "green" action by doing some preparations in March!

Ellen Huckabay is the Outreach Programs Coordinator for the ACES Home Grounds, Gardens, and Home Pests Priority Team. She can be reached by email at knighec@auburn.edu or by phone at 334.844.3021.