If you are following the calendar on the home maintenance tab at www.otowinfo.com, you know September is a good month to fertilize. I like to use John Deer-Lesco 9-0-24 this time of year. This product has a higher percentage of iron to get a green surge but also a higher percentage of potassium to help with root stimulation and growth just before it goes dormant for the winter. This fertilizer will cover roughly 11,000 square feet of turf. Maybe you can split a bag with the neighbor?
Chinch bugs haven't been too bad this year. If you are treating for them, make sure you are alternating pesticide classes to avoid resistance developing in the pest.
This is also a good month to apply pesticides for masked chafer grubs, if present. The insects feed on St. Augustine grass roots and many other turf varieties. Inspect your lawn to see if grubs are present. The grass can be kicked around and will roll up like hay if grubs are present. Treating your lawn may kill the pest but some damage may require sod replacement.
Also, keep in mind as we begin to go into the fall, you should be concerned with fungus. Fungus is most prevalent when temperatures are between 65 to 75 degrees. These past few months have been too hot for fungal activity. Fugus is preventable; your contractors should be aware of climatic conditions and treating for this pest in a preventative manner.
Keep your crape myrtles blooming; trimming the crape myrtle seed heads after they're done blooming will help regenerate new blooms. Good luck this fall!
Phillip Hisey is the Landscape Superintendent for On Top of the World Communities and its entities.
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