Provided by Sherry and Greg Tucker at All Seasons Mulch Market & Landscaping Supplies and resources at Clemson.edu/extension
Whoever first uttered the idiom “Hey, why don’t you go watch the grass grow,” to indicate somebody with nothing better to do has never been in the Carolina Lowcountry in the spring. Our grass doesn’t just grow this time of year, it comes back with a zing it its step, so to speak—and so should you if you want to have a lawn that is lush and disease and pest free.
Each type of grass grown in our region needs specific seasonal care. Here are our top tips for each type. And if you’d rather not focus on watching the grass grow this spring, let us do it for you with our seasonal lawn maintenance programs.
St. Augustine Grass: Mow to between 2″ and 4″. Begin mowing as soon as you see your grass start to green up. Don’t scalp your St. Augustine! And if you have a mulching mower, you can leave the clippings on the grass. You want to fertilize your lawn using between two to four pounds of nitrogen per square feet per year. And be sure to apply post emergent weed control in May to control your summer weeds like dandelions. If you have thatch build-up, you will need to remove that in May so you have no more than 1/2″ depth of thatch.
Bermuda and Zoysia Grass: Mow between ¾” and 1½” and leave grass clippings on the lawn, especially if you have a mulching mower. Fertilize using ½ to 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet after the lawn is completely green. Apply post emergent weed control in May, being sure to use one especially formulated for Bermuda or Zoysia. Replant any bare spots using sod or the correct seed for your existing lawn.
Centipede: Begin mowing your Centipede lawn when it has become completely green. On your first mowing, cut to 1″. Subsequent mowings should be set to leave the grass 1½” in length. Dethatch in late May if needed. Definitely inspect for white grubs by cutting a one square foot flap, leaving one side attached. Apply pesticides or other controlling substance as needed. Monitor the rainfall. This grass needs about 1″ of rainfall per week, so irrigate as needed.
All Seasons is located at the corner or River Road and Maybank at 1820 River Road, Johns Island. For more information, visit their website at www.charlestonlandscapesupplies.com or call 559-5829.
