Lawn Care Tips for Saving Water, Time and Money
Right plant, right place
- Most grasses require 6-8 hours of full sun
- Tolerant of shade St. Augustine: Seville, Delmar or Bitterblue
- Some cultivars of Zoysia
- Consider planting alternative ground cover
Set mower blade height to highest setting for your type of lawn
- 3-4 inches for St. Augustine and Bahia
- Never cut more than 1/3 of the blade (leaf)
- Be sure your mower blade is sharp
- Don’t mow when grass is wet
- Leave grass clippings on the ground
- Keep mower in top condition (change oil and filters)
Watering your lawn
- Peak wet season in Florida: June through September
- Water when blade begins to fold on itself
- Modify irrigation for seasonal changes
- Turf and landscape plants should be irrigated separately
- Check your rain shut-off device for proper operation
- Irrigate turf evenly
- Comply with restrictions of community
- Do not irrigate non-target areas (sidewalks, driveways, etc.)
- Water in the early morning hours 6am – 10am
- Use ¾ - 1 inch of water each time you irrigate
- During spring and summer water once or twice a week as needed
- During winter water every 10 – 14 days as needed
- Irrigation construction materials must meet the standards of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE) http://www.asae.org/standards/searchpur.html
- Standards and Specifications for Turf and Landscape Irrigation Systems: Florida Irrigation Society, http://www.fisstate.org/
Fertilizing
- Fertilizers are not food – plants produce their own food
- Fertilizer spills should be immediately cleaned up
- No fertilizer should ever be placed down storm drains
Use a fertilizer containing slow release nitrogen
- Quick release – urea, ammonium sulfate, or ammonium nitrate
- Slow release – coated urea
Problems with too much fertilizer:
- Excess shoot or root growth
- Weak, thin cell walls in blade tissue
- Susceptible to insect and disease
- Less able to tolerate environmental stress
- Use a complete fertilizer labeled “15-0-15” or “16-4-8”
- Apply 1 lb of slow release fertilizer per 1000 sq. ft.
- If fertilizer contains less than 30% slow release N, use ½ lb per 1000 sq. ft.
Calculate your square footage:
- Multiply length by width measures of your lot
- Subtract your house, driveway, any walking paths, flowerbeds, etc.
Fertilizer rates of pounds of nitrogen per 1000 sq. ft. for the year:
- St. Augustine – 1 to 2
- Bahia – 2 to 3
- Bermuda – 3 to 5
- Centipede – 1 to 2
- Zoysia – 3 to 5
Calculate how much nitrogen in your fertilizer bag:
- 16-4-8 in 50 lb bag: 50 X .16 = 8 lbs
- 15-0-15 in 40 lb bag : 40 X .15 = 6 lbs
- Potential for leaching due to misapplication of fertilizer
- Fertilize in March, and September (possibly May if needed)
- Apply K in fall
- Don’t fertilize in heavy rainfall
- During drought conditions – reduce fertilization
- Avoid using “Weed & Feed”
- Use an iron supplement (iron sulfate) in summer months
- Allow your grass to go dormant from October through February
- Calibrate your spreader
- After applying granular fertilizers water ¼ inch
- Never apply turf fertilizer to palms
- Store fertilizer to avoid it getting wet
- Avoid loading fertilizers around pond or wells
- Add a shield to protect ponds and flower beds
“Ring of Responsibility” around ponds:
- 3 feet with a shield
- 10 ft without shield
Choosing a lawn care company. Ask:
- For a consultation and review of your lawn and its needs
- If they use IPM methods (integrated pest management)
- If they use UF Best Management Practices (BMP)
- What other training they receive
- If they are licensed for pesticide application
- For proof of their license and insurance
- For names of chemicals being applied and why.
- What maintenance procedures you will be expected to perform
- The BBB about any complaints on the company
- For personnel who will listen to your needs but remember to keep in touch with your company – compliments and complaints
Obtain a written contract agreement
- Automatic yearly renewal
- Cancellation penalties
