March Lawn & Landscape Tips

March!  March, the month all of us lawn and landscape enthusiasts celebrate spring. 

March, the month being outdoors on your lawn, in your landscape and on your patio returns! 

March, the month full of rollercoaster temperatures!  Ouch, really?  Did we have to go there? 

But it’s true.  All the sunny 65 and over days make the occasional below freezing, winterish night hard to bear. 

Oh, I’m not talking about you and me, I’m talking about your lawn and landscape. 

Tulips are putting on an early show this spring.

One of the hardest things for your lawn and plants is to arrive at the point of buds popping, flowers bursting, and lawns breaking dormancy… and WHAM! another wintry night arrives!

Spring is arriving early this year, much earlier than the last two years.  A few years back we had a warm February, an early spring, followed by a very cool late March with a freeze.  When the freeze arrived many plants and even warm season lawns, with tender young growth, were knocked back.  That year it wasn’t until mid-May before lawns and many plants snapped out of it.

The best spring for your lawn and landscape, and yes for you too, is once we reach the point of buds swelling, green shoots appearing in the lawn, and early spring plants gracing our world with bright colors; the roller coaster temperature swings are more like a kiddy coaster and less like Six Flag’s Texas Giant. 

So, get outside.  Enjoy all the wonderful days.  Do something in your lawn and landscape. Just don’t jump the gun on planting tender annuals just yet.

Here are a few lawn and landscape tasks you should tackle this month:

Spring flowering bulbs, like these daffodils, are already cheering on the arrival of spring.

Daffodils are loving the early spring.

The bright yellow of Forsythia is a show stopper!

Spring Lawn Maintenance – Get the mower out and get started.  It is much easier to remove the winter damaged leaf blades before the turf begins to green-up.  Remember, scalping on the lowest setting isn’t required and isn’t recommended.  Simply mow the lawn at the height you plan to start the mowing season. 

For most Bermuda lawns, the second setting is recommended.  For fescue, start on the second or third notch on your mower. 

We are often asked about dethatching at this time of year. 

What is dethatching?  Dethatching is the removal of excessive thatch that builds up on the soil surface by using a vertical power rake.

But, unless you have a thick layer of ½-1” or more of thatch, dethatching causes more damage to the crown of the plants than it does good.  So, with only a few exceptions, the best method for reducing thatch is an initial spring lawn maintenance followed by aeration after spring green-up.  Unnecessary dethatching and scalping the lawn too low removes the canopy opening the lawn up to disease and weeds.

Need more info on the first mowing of the season? Check out last week’s post. 

If you haven't already, cut your fescue lawn to remove the freeze damaged leaf tips and soon the lawn will return to full color and start growing.

Lawn Maintenance – With so many warm days, soil temperatures reaching into the low 50’s, and the occasional rains, fescue lawns are regaining color every day.  Start your cool season lawn off right by maintaining it at 2 ½ - 3”.  When it starts growing mow frequently enough that you are never removing more than 1/3 of the leaf blade per cutting.  So, if you plan to maintain a 3” level, don’t allow the lawn to grow past 4.5” without giving it a trim. 

If you have warm season turf, Bermuda or zoysia, after you cut the lawn for the first time to remove the brown winter damaged leaf blades, most likely you can put off regularly scheduled lawn mowing until April.

Saucer Magnolia is a small deciduous tree with saucer-shaped white, pink or purple blooms in early spring. It makes a great specimen tree from the spectacular spring blooms to its spreading, multi-trucked shape.

Tulips have started blooming...2-3 weeks ahead of normal.

Saucer Magnolia is a spring favorite. 

Headed to Dallas in the next few weeks?  Add the Dallas Arboretum to your places to visit during their spring Dallas Blooms event, now through April 8th.

One of the first shrubs to announce spring is forsythia. Interesting tidbit: when forsythia starts blooming it is an indicator that crabgrass has started germinating. 

Lawn Weed Control – Summer annual weeds begin germinating when soil temperatures consistently reach 55 degrees.  All the above normal temperatures have soil temperatures hanging out around 50 degrees.  Unless we see an extended cold spell, we are on course to see soil temperatues consistently reach 55 degrees by mid-March.   

If you have not applied the first spring pre-emergent yet, please do so by mid-March.  Whether you apply a pre-emergent yourself, or we do it for you, always follow instructions.  Watering is a required step to move the herbicide into the top ½” of soil.

Want to know what crabgrass will do to your lawn this summer if you don’t apply a pre-emergent? 

This is the month landscapes are filled with the bright pinkish-red colors of Redbuds, the Oklahoma State tree

Bed Weed Control – March is an excellent month to apply a plant safe pre-emergent to your landscape plantings.  Use caution in selecting the product to make sure it is safe for your plants.  When possible, select a granular pre-emergent mixed with a fertilizer containing approximately 20% nitrogen. Doing so will give your plants a good spring feeding while preventing weeds at the same time.

Lawn Fertilization – This month is a good time to start fertilizing your cool season lawns.  Use a fertilizer with 25-30% nitrogen.  Cool season lawns need to be feed more in the spring and fall when they are actively growing, and less in the summer. 

If you have a warm season lawn, wait until lawns have greened up to apply the first fertilizer application. 

Hyacinth is one of the first spring blooming bulbs to add splashes of color to the landscape.

Mulch – Spring is a great time to mulch your landscape plantings.  Maintaining a 2” layer of organic mulch will reduce weed population, retain soil moisture, and provide a more consistent soil temperature for plant roots.  I find adding mulch an easier task in the spring when I am cleaning my landscape plantings for the first time. 

Irrigation – It is always important to monitor rainfall and water based on need.  Continue the best practice of watering anytime we go a week without a ½” of rain.  If possible, wait as long as possible to start watering every other day.  You will save both water and money if you water on an as needed basis for the next couple of months.

One sign of how early the spring is this year…Hydrangeas are already budding. As long as we don’t get another hard freeze, this should be spring full of color.

Flowering Quince with bright orange to red flowers is one of the first shrubs to declare spring.

Spring Seasonal Color – Pansies are the toughest winter annual color, but it is common for them to look a little freeze burned after the winter.  With the early spring, as long as the crown was not damaged, they are returning to life and blooming.  The great thing about pansies is they add color to the spring landscape until it is warm enough to plant summer annuals.    

Wait till April to plant impatient, begonia, geranium, etc.  And remember most summer annuals need the warmer soil temperatures of late April or May before they are planted.  If you get in a hurry, you will end up planting your summer annual color twice.  When planting remember most plants prefer well drained, organic soil and would prefer you add compost when planting.

Seeding Fescue – March is the second-best time to overseed fescue. But it comes in a very distant second to seeding in the fall.  Spring seeded fescue will come up very well and look very good till the summer heat arrives - then it fades quickly.  Fescue, being a cool season grass, will not establish a sustainable root system when planted in the spring.  Give your fescue lawn a chance to green up first to get a better feel on the overall condition of the lawn.  If still feel you have bare areas that need to be addressed now, seed this month but still plan on seeding again in the fall.  In most cases waiting till fall to seed is best. Fall seeding allows you to focus on weed prevention and turf development in the spring and turf establishment in the fall when it is best.

Creeping phlox is one of the first perennials to burst with color in the spring.  

Pruning – March is the time to do heavy pruning on your roses.  March is also the best time to make a major reduction in the size of hollies, boxwoods and most broadleaf evergreens.  Before spring growth arrives, you can successfully remove all the foliage back to the central leader if needed.

If you need help with any of your lawn and landscape tasks, or just have a few questions, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.  

Lorne Hall

Hall | Stewart Lawn + Landscape

(405)367-3873

July Lawn & Landscape Tips

With June, one of central Oklahoma’s wettest months in the rearview mirror, and July, one of Oklahoma City’s driest and hottest months, in the windshield, our lawn and landscapes are facing their most stressful time of year.

How can you help your landscape not only survive but thrive through July?  Let’s take a look:

Watering – The biggest issue we will face this month is dry lawns and landscapes.  If you have not adjusted your watering yet, most likely your landscape will soon start showing signs of stress.  Your lawn and landscape need at least 1” to 1.5” of moisture per week in the 90-plus-degree heat.  During a typical July, you can only expect to average .75” of rainfall per week. 

Best watering practices: 

• Water on an odd/even schedule early in the morning – before dawn.  Avoid watering in the evening. 

• Remember, deep soakings are always best.  Shallow watering creates shallow roots dependent on more frequent watering.

• Monitor local rainfall and turn irrigation off when there is sufficient rainfall.  A normal July will bring us a little less than 3” of rain, so there is a chance you will be able to turn your irrigation off some this month and save a little water and money.

• If you have newer plantings, they will require additional watering until they have established roots. Set a water hose on a slow trickle at the base of the plant and let it run until the plant has received at least 10 gallons of water.  Repeat every 4-6 days. 

–      Watering Tip   –

Most people don’t realize how long you need to run the sprinkler to get 1” to 1.5” moisture on your lawn in a week.  If your lawn and landscape struggles in the heat, take time to place cans around the lawn to collect water.  Water your lawn as you normally do and then measure the amount of water in the containers. 

If you collected 1/3” to ½”, you are watering long enough for every other day watering. 

If you didn’t collect enough during a typical watering, increase the water time and continue watering every other day. 

The temptation is to start watering every day, but this creates a shallow-rooted landscape that is more dependent on daily water. 

Deep watering every other day is the key to a lawn that will thrive in July.

We are a strong believer in the benefits of not catching your clippings when mowing as long as they are not noticeable. Heavy clippings always need to be cleared from the turf.

Mowing – For warm season turfs (bermuda and zoyia) gradually raise the height of your mower.  Bermuda should be mowed between 1.5” to 2.5” during the summer heat.  Fescue, cool season turf, should be maintained at its maximum height, 3” to 3.5” now. The more leaf space you have the more drought resistant your lawn will be.  Mow often enough that you only remove 1/3” of the grass each time.  For healthy, irrigated, and fertilized Bermuda, if possible, mow every 4-5 days for the best lawn.  If you are mowing often enough and only removing 1/3 of the growth, don’t catch the clippings.  Grass leaves are mostly water and nitrogen and break down very quickly into the soil.  If your lawn has a brown cast to it after you mow, you are cutting below the leaves and into the stems.  Stems do not break down quickly and can lead to thatch build-up, so if this is the case, it is best to bag when mowing.

Mulch mowing is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your lawn. The key is mowing frequently enough that you are removing no more than 1/3 of the leaf blade.

— Mowing Tip —

One of the biggest differences between a good lawn and a great lawn in the heat of the year is not bagging the clippings. 

Allowing finely mowed clippings to stay on the lawn returns moisture and nutrients to the soil.

This picture taken on Friday of a fescue lawn demonstrates that fescue is heat tolerant when best practices are followed:  deep watering every other day, mowing at 3” with no more than 1/3 cut off per time, and not bagging the clippings.

Lantana and Coleus are heat loving annual summer color plants.

Limelight Hydrangea

The tropical type flowers of hardy hibiscus thrive in the heat of July.

Limelight Hydrangeas grace the July landscapes with large lime-white blooms.  

Brown Patch – One benefit of the dry air of July is less brown patch disease in fescue lawns.  Brown patch occurs when there is excessive moisture, high humidity, and/or high due points when nighttime temperatures are in the 70s or more and daytime temperatures are in the 90s.  Brown patch is worse in areas with dense shade and/or low wind movement.  Anytime the leaf blades of your fescue stay wet for more than 6 hours at a time in the summer, brown patch is unavoidable.  

The temptation is to water fescue more frequently in the summer.  It is common for us to find fescue lawns with the irrigation set to run morning and night creating the perfect conditions for the disease to spread.  If you have heavy shade and/or low wind movement (most smaller backyards) water after sunrise and no more than every other day.  Resist the urge to water more.  Your fescue is not dying due to the summer heat, it is struggling with brown patch.  

Black-eyed Susans brighten the summer landscapes during July.

Sunpatiens add vibrant color in full sun to dappled sun areas throughout the summer.

Penta

Brown Patch Disease will make you think your fescue lawn isn’t getting water, so you respond with more water, which makes the lawn look worse, so you water more…. This fescue lawn was extremely wet this week resulting in self-induced Brown Patch.

— Fescue Tip —

The key to fescue surviving the summer is not watering more. 

The key is deep soaking every other day. 

Watering daily, or as some are known to do, watering twice per day, is one of the worse things for fescue in the summer heat. 

Keeping fescue wet will always promote Brown Patch disease.

Crape Myrtles respond to the heat of July with bold pinks, purples, whites, and reds.

Inpatients and Caladiums are a great summer color combination for shade.

Fertilizer – Because warm-season grasses are actively growing, they need feeding during July.  The plan is to use a fertilizer with a 3 to 1 to 1 of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), plus iron (Fe) for added color.  Most of our soil has plenty of phosphorus and potassium, but nitrogen needs to be replaced.  July is a great month for turf development and a thick, healthy-growing lawn is the best defense against weeds. Do not fertilize fescue lawns now.  As a cool season grass, fertilizer in the heat of the summer on fescue will cause damage.

Bermuda lawns look their best in the heat of the year when they are properly fertilized, mowed and watered.

Periwinkle is one of the best annual color plants during the hottest periods of the summer.

Weed Control – If you are on a regular lawn care application program, and if your first application was made prior to mid-March, you shouldn’t be experiencing many summer annual weeds.  A common weed this time of year is nutsedge.  Nutsedge thrives in tight, wet soils.  Areas with poor drainage and overwatered turf are frequent trouble spots.   If you didn’t get an early pre-emergent, you most likely have a good crop of crabgrass now. Controlling weeds in the heat of the year often can cause more damage to the turf than is beneficial.  It is important that label instructions are always followed when spraying weeds.  Don’t over-apply.  What is most important in July is developing a thick, healthy turf.  If you are too aggressive on weeds now you will have weak spots that are more susceptible to weeds in the future. 

Nutsedge

Shrub Pruning – Selective pruning and light shearing should be practiced during the summer heat. If possible wait to do major pruning after the hottest periods of the summer. Avoid any pruning or shearing on spring blooming plants because you will be removing flower buds and reducing the show next spring. 

Aphids

Bagworms

Bag worm

Bagworms continue to be the biggest insect issue currently. Not only are they attacking needle evergreens, but also deciduous trees and shrubs. Inspect your plants frequently.  

Aphids thrive in the hot weather resulting in an increase in activity the past couple of weeks. They are easy to spot. Look for glossy, wet looking leaves.  The leaves will be sticky and the underside will be covered with insects.

Insect Watch – The first step to healthy plants is inspecting them regularly and then treating them as needed.  If you attempt to treat on a schedule, you will find that you often will miss the target pest.  These are the insects that are currently most active:

Bagworms – Common on needle evergreens (juniper, cedar, cypress, etc.).  If a plant is already stressed due to heat or drought, bagworms can kill the plant.  Inspect often and treat as needed.  

Aphids – Small sap-sucking insects that leave plants with a honeydew, sticky substance on leaves. Aphids are easy to spot.  If the leaves appear unusually glossy stop and look under the leaf and you will find insects hard at work.  Aphids thrive in hot, dry conditions. 

Spider Mites - They also gather on the underside of leaves but are very small and hard to see.  The first sign you may have spider mites is a plant with weak-looking, yellowish leaves.  Take a white sheet of paper, place it below the leaf, and lightly shake the leaf.  If you see small specs of red, yellow, and brown on the paper and they start moving around, it isn’t dust and dirt you are seeing, it is spider mites.

Grub Worms – If you have experienced grub damage in the past, or if you have noticed a lot of June bugs around your landscape, July through August is a good window to apply an application for control.  Grubworms are the larva form of the June bug.  June bugs have laid their eggs and they are hatching now. Grubs are easiest to control when the new grub is small and feeding close to the surface in July and August.

Spider Mite activity will make a healthy plant look weak with yellowing, speckled leaves.

Place a white sheet of paper under a branch and gently shake the branch. If you see small specs on the paper that are moving around, you are seeing spider mites.

If you see more than an occasional grub when digging in your landscape, we recommend treatment. An occasional grub is good for the environment, but as with most insects, too many and they will cause damage to your lawn.

Army Worms – The armyworm damage during the summer of 2021 was so severe they remain a concern two years later.

Here is a quick review of what we know about armyworms:

• The adult form of an armyworm is a dark gray moth with mottled wings darker and lighter splotches and a 1 ½” wingspan.   Because armyworms do not overwinter in our climate, the moths migrate from the Gulf Coast and Mexico each year arriving in our area in late June.

• Each moth can lay over 1,000 eggs.

• By early July, the first generation of eggs have hatched, and the caterpillars go on a feeding frenzy that lasts 2-3 weeks.

• Early caterpillars are green and very small and don’t cause any damage until they reach 1”.   Quickly they grow into a brown, almost black, 1 ½” long caterpillar with black and reddish-brown stripes on each side of the body and small black spots on the top.  Their distinctive mark is an inverted “Y” on the front of the head. 

• At the end of the 2-3 week feeding period, the worm burrows 1” into the soil and enters the pupal stage.  7-10 days later they emerge from the soil as a moth and the life cycle starts all over.

• The average entire life cycle lasts about 28 days.  There can be 4 to 5 overlapping generations from July through early November, or until we have our first hard freeze. 

• Armyworms are always present in our summer lawns and landscapes. When populations are normal you may never know they are there.  But, with the right conditions, we can see an explosion to turf damaging levels in a matter of days. 

• We are more likely to have turf damaging population levels when we have a cool, wet late June and early July.  Armyworm eggs and worms have a higher survival rate when there is abundant moisture and cooler temperatures. 

We will keep an eye on conditions and let you know if armyworms become a problem.

Army Worms start out green and mature to a greenish-brown. They have distinctive strips on each side of their bodies and an inverted “Y” on their head.

Lantana

Tree Leaves – Expect some leaf drop on deciduous trees in the summer heat.  Some leaf drop is normal as the tree naturally adjusts to less moisture and more heat.  The fun fact about most trees is they have a secondary set of buds.  If they are stressed, they naturally drop leaves to survive, and then re-bud as they recover.

July, more than any other month, requires you to keep your eye on how your lawn and landscape are doing. 

Inspect regularly for insect activity. 

Make sure your landscape is getting the correct amount of moisture. 

And, mow frequently for the best curb appeal.

If you have any lawn or landscape concerns, needs, or questions, please give us a call.

Lorne Hall

Hall | Stewart Lawn + Landscape

(405)367-3873

June Lawn & Landscape Tips

Hello Summer!

May’s weather has set your lawn and landscape up for success heading into summer.  Depending upon where you call home in the OKC area, you have received 5.25” to 8” of rain in the last 30 days.  It is a little unusual, but May has delivered temperatures and moisture close to average.  That is something to cheer about!

In the transition zone where both cool season and warm season turfs are grown, June is the month you can’t go wrong with either.

June is the month when an abundance of perennials add color to the landscape. 

June is the month when shrubs are covered with soft, tender new foliage and so many blooming shrubs are adding splashes of color.

June is the month I discover another favorite shrub, perennial, or summer annual color nearly every day.  What will be my favorite this June? 

June is the month that I know there is a good chance around every corner I’m going to stumble upon another fantastic lawn and landscape.

Awe…June is the month when all your lawn and landscape work this spring rewards you with enjoyable evenings on the patio.

Wait…don’t get too comfortable, it is summer and your lawn and landscape needs attention:

Mowing – Good mowing practices will have the biggest impact on the quality of your lawn over the summer months.  For the best summer turf get into a routine of mowing often enough that you only remove 1/3 of the leaf blade with each mowing.  For Bermuda and Zoysia, both warm-season turfgrasses, this may require mowing every 4 to 5 days.  If you mow this often, don’t bag your clippings.  The top 1/3 of the grass leaf is 90% moisture and nutrients.  The best summer height for warm-season turf is 1.5 – 2.5”.  Fescue, cool-season turfgrass, will continue to grow rapidly during early June but once we consistently have temperatures in the upper 90s it will begin to slow down.  The best height for cool-season turf in the summer is 3.0 – 3.5”.  Both warm-season and cool-season turfs don’t respond well to being cut below their recommended height. Cutting the lawn too short discourages root development and having deep roots going into the summer heat is important for both warm and cool-season turf.

June is the month for day lilies to add splashes of color to the landscape.

One of the biggest concerns we have for fescue lawns right now is too many are being cut too short.  Cool season lawns will do better in the summer heat with more leaf space.  If you have a fescue lawn, gradually raise your mower to at least 3” this month.  I started mowing my fescue lawn a ½ notch higher in May and will increase it another ½ notch this week.

Fertilizer – Bermuda lawns should be fertilized this month with a higher nitrogen, slow-release fertilizer.  The goal in June is to create a healthy bermuda lawn that will thrive in the summer heat.  Fescue lawns should only receive low nitrogen, organic, root stimulating fertilizer during June to prepare them for the summer heat.

Weed Control – If you subscribe to Hall | Stewart’s Lawn Care Programs and have not skipped any applications this year, your lawn has had two pre-emergent applications.  This will provide your lawn with a good barrier to prevent summer annual grassy weeds.  But, if not, you may have some grassy weeds, the most common is crabgrass, showing up in your lawn.  June is a good month to control grassy weeds while they are still young plants.  Once they mature, stronger products will need to be used which can cause turf damage.  If nutsedge is making an appearance in your lawn it is best not to pull it.  When you pull the nutsedge and do not remove the nut below the surface, the plant becomes stressed and multiplies. 

Crabgrass is a very fast growing summer annual grassy weed. If you did not get a pre-emergent on your lawn early this year, you are almost certain to have crabgrass growing in your lawn. Treat now with a grassy weed control herbicide. If you wait until July to control, harsh products that will damaged desirable turf will have to be used.

Tree & Shrub Care – The best thing you can do for your trees and shrubs this month is give them your attention.  Make it a routine to walk around the landscape looking for plants that just don’t look their best.  Most insects are great at camouflage and are hard to spot before you have damaged leaves.  Start watching for spider mites.  If you notice pale and specked foliage, shake the leaves over a white sheet of paper.  If you see tiny specks that start to move, you have spider mites and should schedule a treatment.  Be on the watch for bagworms on needle evergreens.  When they are young, they are hard to spot.  If you notice your evergreens losing color, there is a good chance bagworms are the problem.  With all insect and disease issues, we subscribe to an integrated pest management approach.  With our Tree & Shrub Program, we inspect for issues with each visit.  Most problems are easier to control the earlier you notice them.  If you notice any issues with your plants, please let us know.

If you notice pale or speckled foliage on boxwood shrubs, shake a branch over a white paper. If you see tiny specks that start to move, you need to spray for spider mites.

As temperatures warm up in June be on the lookout for aphids.

Soft scale can be a problem on Redbud trees. A small 1/16-1/8”, reddish, oval scale that is often found on small twigs and can cause small branches to die if not treated. A treatment plan in late winter with a dormant oil with follow-up treatments in late spring and early summer with a horticultural oil is required.

The lacy blooms of June are a wonderful contrast to the big leaves of the Oak Leak Hydrangea.

Oak Leaf Hydrangeas with their big lace-like blooms add interest to the early summer landscape.

Who cant help but fall in love with Oakleaf Hydrangeas at this time of year. Their brilliant large flowers demand attention.

Later this month Mimosa trees will add bright pink, feathery flowers to the landscape.  

Bag worms start out small and hard to see. Take time to inspect your needle evergreen shrubs this month.

Bagworms start out very small and are hard to see. Take time to inspect your needle evergreens before they cause damage.

Annual Color — Sunpatien and Joseph’s Coat

Endless Summer Hydrangeas will make their first big burst of color this month.

Endless Summer Hydrangea

June 2021 was one a great year for Hydrangeas. This year may be even better.

Endless Summer Hydrangeas are starting to put on their first blooms of the summer.

Shasta Daisies, a perennial, will bloom from early June through mid-summer. They make great cut flowers.

Shrub Pruning – June is the last month to prune spring-blooming shrubs.  Spring-blooming shrubs start setting flower buds by mid-summer.  A few examples of spring-blooming shrubs: forsythia, quince, bridal wreath spirea, and azalea.  If the shrub is overgrown, use thinning cuts to reduce the size and increase airflow into the center of the plant.  Make thinning cuts by removing branches back to the main trunk or another branch.  If the shrub only needs a little shaping, make heading cuts near the end of the branches.  But, remember that all shrubs will perform at their best if they are allowed to grow without heavy pruning or shearing.   

If your Azaleas have become overgrown or need shaping, June is your last chance to prune them before they start setting buds for next spring.

Planted in mass Stella D’oro Daylily’s add bright splashes of yellow to the landscape during June.

Watering – “How much to water” may be one of the most misunderstood aspects of managing a lawn and landscape.  Develop the practice of watering based only on need.  If you watered based on need, your system was off more than it was on during May.  During the summer months, anytime we get a ½” rain or more, turn your system off for a few days.  Depending on afternoon temperatures, a 1” rainfall may save you a week’s worth of water.  The converse is true as well.  If we go a week without receiving 1” of rainfall during the summer months, start watering.  Another clue it is time to start watering… when you walk on the lawn, if the grass doesn’t spring back up and your footsteps remain in the lawn, it is time to start watering.  Remember, deep soakings are always better than short, frequent watering.  Shallow, frequent watering results in lawns with fewer roots and more dependent on water.  Throughout the summer make it a habit to inspect your landscape and adjust.  Don’t set your irrigation controller at the beginning of the season never touching it again until the fall.

My watering goal for June is a good deep soaking no more than every 4th day.  If temperatures stay under 90 degrees and we get an occasional rain, I’ll save money, and water and still have a great lawn and landscape.  The key to this plan is taking a little time to monitor and adjust.

Trumpet Vine

Mulch – Add mulch to your landscape plantings this month.  A 2” layer of mulch will retain moisture, cool the soil, and reduce weed germination.  We prefer premium shredded all-bark cedar mulch because it doesn’t float as much and aesthetically looks great.  For acid-loving plants such as hydrangeas and azaleas, pecan hulls or pine bark mulch is a great choice. 

Endless Summer Hydrangea

Annual color planting of Joseph Coat, Sunpatien, and Marigold make a great yellow/orange color scheme.

Endless Summer Hydrangea

Goldflame Spirea

Brown Patch – Be on the lookout for brown patch in your fescue lawn. June is the most active month for this disease in fescue lawns.  Anytime nighttime temperatures are 70 degrees plus and the turf remains damp for over 6 hours at a time, brown patch will develop. Areas where there is little air movement and/or heavy shade are more prone because the turf stays wet longer.  Brown patch will make the lawn appear it needs more water, but watering will just make it worse.  So, before you water more, think about the site, the amount of shade, the air movement in the area, and the amount of moisture the area has received.  The best thing you can do if this problem occurs is to stop watering.

One of the most self-inflicted problems with fescue lawns is watering practices that promote the development of brown patch.  Always allow your fescue time to dry out between waterings.  Avoid watering fescue in the evening during the summer.

Brown Patch will make fescue look like it needs more water, but the problem is actually the result of the leaf blades staying wet for over 6 hours at a time when nighttime temperatures are in the 70s.

Yarrow is a perennial that produces yellow flowers in late May and early June.

One of the stars of June is the perennial Cone Flower.

There are many varieties of Spirea’s with yellow and green foliage that put on blooms in the early summer.

Anthony Waterer Spirea is a medium sized shrub that is covered with pink flowers in late May and early June.

Aeration – Mechanical aeration is a “best” practice for any lawn.  Aeration reduces soil compaction, promotes root development, and thickens the turf.  May and June are the best months to aerate Bermuda.  This one practice will make a significant difference in the quality of your turf.  The stronger the turf, the fewer weed problems you will experience.

Insects – Regularly scheduled treatments for fleas & ticks, mosquitos, and perimeter insect control around your house should continue during the summer.  The goal is to make outdoor living for your family and pets the best possible.

Southern Magnolia trees produce large white flowers in early summer. Teddy Bear and Little Gem Dwarf Southern Magnolia are great plants for smaller landscapes.

Texas Red Yucca produce tall red flowering spikes this month. There are several varieties. Brakelights Res Yucca is a favorite.

Enjoy the Memorial Day weekend! 

Spend time outside, in the landscape, enjoying the beauty every day!

If you have any questions, please send us an email or call.

Lorne Hall

Hall | Stewart Lawn + Landscape

(405)367-3873

June Lawn & Landscape Tips

June… Hello Summer!

June is a great month. Soil temperatures are finally warm enough for Bermuda and zoysia to have rich color, yet temperatures are still cool enough for fescue to remain active and dark green.  Perennials add splashes of color, shrubs, and trees are full of foliage, and summer annual color plantings burst with brilliant color. 

Awe, welcome to early summer when all your spring work rewards you with enjoyable evenings on the patio.

So far, this year the weather patterns have yet to give us normal.  You don’t have to look any further than your lawn for proof. 

Has there ever been a spring when fescue lawns have flourished more than this spring?

Has there ever been a spring when Bermuda lawns have lagged behind as much as this spring? 

Our landscapes really need a month where weather patterns return to normal. Hopefully, June will be the month lawn and landscape activities can settle into a predictable routine. Here are a few things to be thinking about:

Mowing – For the best summer turf get into a routine of mowing often enough that you only remove 1/3 of the leaf blade with each mowing.  For Bermuda and zoysia, both warm-season turfgrasses may require mowing every 4 to 5 days.  If you mow this often, don’t bag your clippings.  The top 1/3 of the grass leaf is 90% moisture and nutrients.  The best summer height for warm-season turf is 1.5 – 2.5”.  Fescue, cool-season turfgrass, will continue to grow rapidly during early June but once we consistently have temperatures in the upper 90’s it will begin to slow down.  The best height for cool-season turf in the summer is 3.0  – 3.5”.  Both warm-season and cool-season turfs don’t respond well to being cut below their recommended height. Cutting the lawn too short discourages root development and having deep roots going into the summer heat is important for both warm and cool-season turf.

Spring 2021 may be remembered as the best year ever for fescue lawns.

A couple of the perennial blooms June brings us are Shasta Daisies and Daylilies.

June is the month for day lilies to add splashes of color to the landscape.

Fertilizer – Bermuda lawns should be fertilized this month with a higher nitrogen, slow release fertilizer.  The goal in June is to create and healthy Bermuda lawn that will thrive in the summer heat.  Fescue lawns should only receive low nitrogen, organic, root stimulating fertilizer during June to prepare them for the summer.

Conditions are just right for mushrooms: cooler temps and moisture. It is a good sign that your soil has a good amount of healthy organic material just below the surface.

Sooty Mold started showing up in some fescue lawns this week. It is powdery mold that occasionally shows up this time of year. It doesn’t cause any damage to the turf and will fade away in 1-2 weeks.

Weed Control – If you subscribe to Hall | Stewart’s Lawn Care Programs and have not skipped any applications this year, your lawn has had two pre-emergent applications.  This will provide your lawn with a good barrier to prevent summer annual grassy weeds.  But, if not, you may have some grassy weeds, the most common is crabgrass, showing up in your lawn.  June is a good month to control grassy weeds while they are still young plants.  Once they mature, stronger products will need to be used which can cause turf damage.  If nutsedge is making an appearance in your lawn it is best not to pull it.  When you pull nutsedge and do not remove the nut below the surface, the plant becomes stressed and multiplies. 

Tree & Shrub Care – Start watching for spider mites.  If you notice pale and specked foliage, shake the leaves over a white sheet of paper.  If you see tiny specks that start to move, you have spider mites and should schedule a treatment.  Also, be on the watch for bagworms on needle evergreens. With all insect and disease issues, we subscribe to an integrated pest management approach.  With our Tree & Shrub Program, we inspect for issues with each visit.  Most problems are easier to control the earlier you notice them.  If you notice any issues with your plants, please let us know.

If you notice pale or speckled foliage on boxwood shrubs, shake a branch over a white paper. If you see tiny specks that start to move, you need to spray for spider mites.

The lacy blooms of June are a wonderful contrast to the big leaves of the Oak Leak Hydrangea.

Oak Leaf Hydrangeas with their big lace-like blooms add interest to the early summer landscape.

Bag worms start out small and hard to see. Take time to inspect your needle evergreen shrubs this month.

Annual Color — Sunpatien and Joseph’s Coat

Wow!  Have you noticed how wonderful the hydrangeas are this year?  Another plant that handled the extreme cold and is loving the mild spring.

Endless Summer Hydrangea

Shrub Pruning – June is the last month to prune spring-blooming shrubs.  Spring blooming shrubs start setting flower buds by mid-summer.  A few examples of spring-blooming shrubs: forsythia, quince, bridal wreath spirea, and azalea.  If the shrub is overgrown, use thinning cuts to reduce the size and increase airflow into the center of the plant.  Make thinning cuts by removing branches back to the main trunk or another branch.  If the shrub only needs a little shaping, make heading cuts near the end of branches.  But remember that all shrubs will perform at their best if they are allowed to grow without heavy pruning or shearing.   

If February left your azalea shrubs tattered and they have slowly leafed out this spring, spend sometime this month pruning out the dead and fertilizing them.

If your Azaleas have become overgrown or need shaping, June is your last chance to prune them before they start setting buds for next spring.

Watering – This may be one of the most misunderstood aspects of landscape management.  Develop the practice of watering based only on need.  Anytime we go a week without receiving a 1” of rainfall, start watering.  When you walk on the lawn, if the grass doesn’t spring back up, start watering.  Remember, deep soakings are always better than short, frequent watering.  Shallow, frequent watering results in lawns with fewer roots and more dependent on water.  Although the Oklahoma City area has received several good rainfalls over the last 30 days, the amounts have varied greatly around the metro area.  The east and south parts of the metro received over 5” during May, while the west and northwest portions received less than 2”.  Make it a habit to inspect your landscape and adjust.  Don’t base watering decisions on the official rainfall amounts reported at the airport.

Mulch – Add mulch to your landscape plantings this month.  A 2” layer of mulch will retain moisture, cool the soil, and reduce weed germination.  We prefer premium shredded all bark cedar mulch because it doesn’t float as much and aesthetically looks great.  For acid-loving plants such as hydrangeas and azaleas, pecan hulls or pine bark mulch is a great choice. 

Endless Summer Hydrangea

Annual color planting of Joseph Coat, Sunpatien, and Marigold make a great yellow/orange color scheme.

Endless Summer Hydrangea

Many varieties Spirea, such as Goldflame, have added great color and interest the landscape this year.

Brown Patch  – Be on the lookout for brown patch in your fescue lawn. June is the most active month for this disease in fescue lawns.  Anytime nighttime temperatures are 70 plus and the turf remains damp for over 6 hours at a time, brown patch will develop. Areas where there is little air movement and/or heavy shade are more prone because the turf stays wet longer.  Brown patch will make the lawn appear it needs more water, but watering will just make it worse.  So, before you water more, think about the site, the amount of shade, the air movement in the area, and the amount of moisture the area has received.  The best thing you can do if this problem occurs is to stop watering.

Aeration – Mechanical aeration is a “best” practice for any lawn.  Aeration reduces soil compaction, promotes root development, and thickens the turf.  May and June are the best months to aerate Bermuda.  This one practice will make a big difference in the quality of your turf.  The stronger the turf, the fewer weed problems you will experience.

Insects – Regularly scheduled treatments for fleas & ticks, mosquitos, and perimeter insect control around your house should continue during the summer.  The goal is to make an outdoor living for your family and pets the best possible.

Now, it is time to get outside and your landscape!

We look forward to every opportunity to visit your lawn and landscape!

If you have any questions, please send us an email or call.

Lorne Hall

Hall | Stewart Lawn + Landscape

(405)367-3873