lawn care basics · •know your soil •measure to save time and money ... •water to settle soil...
TRANSCRIPT
LAWN CARE BASICSKAREN CARTER
HENRICO EXTENSION OFFICE
Turfgrass Adaptation Zones
Virginia is in the Transition Zone
Grasses for Henrico County
Cool Season Warm Season
Tall Fescue Fine Fescue Bermuda Zoysia
Sun-Some Shade
Doesn’t spread
Some Shade
Dry areas
Low pH & N
Full sun only
Spreads
Tolerates lower fertility
Some shade
Slow to grow
Spreads
Tolerates low fertility
Disease: M Disease: H Disease: L Disease: L
Heat Tolerant Not Heat Tolerant
Heat and Drought Tolerant
Heat andDrought Tolerant
LAWN MAINTENANCEBest Management Practices
• Get a soil test
• Measure for accuracy
• Apply lime if needed
• Fertilize properly
• Mow properly
• Water well . . . or don’t water at all!
• Core aerate each year
• Use integrated pest management
• Know your Soil
• Measure to save time and money
• Aerate those roots
• Be Right about Fertilizer
• Practice Trouble-free maintenance
SMART Steps to a Healthy Lawn
SMART Step One
Know Your Soil
Soil Testing
• Will provide information about
– pH
– P and K, Ca and Mg, some micros
• Will provide recommendations about
– lime applications
– fertilizer types and rates
• Recommended every two to four years
Soil Test Box
and Form
Test every 2 to 3 years
Accurate Soil Testing
• Requires a representative sample
• Sample from 10+ areas
• Sample to 4-6 inch depth
• Mix soil together
• Place 1 cup of mix in soil sample box
• Send to Soil Testing Lab
Virginia Test Soil Test Report
SMART Step Two
Measure to Save Time and Money
Measure smaller areas and add up for total lawn area.
Measuring Lawn Areas
SMART Step Three
Aerate Those Roots
• Relieves soil compaction.
• Allows oxygen, water and nutrients to reach the root system.
• Good soil moisture is important.
• Fall for cool-season turf.
Core Aeration
SMART Step Four
Be Right About Fertilizer
Right Analysis
Right Rate
Right Time
Which One is Right for Your Lawn?
Many Choices
Fertilizer Analysis
18 - 24 - 6
Total Nitrogen………..…………..…..… 18 %5.6% WIN (Water Insoluble Nitrogen)
Available Phosphoric acid (P2O5)… 24 %
Sulfate of Potash (K2O)...…………….. 6 %
Virginia Test Soil Test Report
Lawn Fertilizer Choices
Winterizer For More K
StarterFor More P
MaintenanceFor Mostly N
High 1st number High 2nd number High 3rd number
SMART Lawns Fertilizer Calculator
http://henrico.us/extension/anr/lawns/fertcalc/
September
October
November
Timing of Fertilizer Applications for Cool Season Grasses
SMART Step Five
Practice Trouble-free
Maintenance
Mowing
Watering
Weed Control
Measuring Mower Height
Keep mower blades sharp!
Set at 3 inches for tall fescue
One-Third Rule
• Mow frequently enough so that no more than one-third of grass blade is removed each time.
Don’t Bag the Clippings!
(Unless there’s a good reason)
• Avoid light, frequent irrigations
• Turf needs 1 inch of water per week
• Calibrate your irrigation system
• Water early in the day, not late
• Use the “screwdriver test”
Watering “All or Nothing”
A Simple Weed Management Plan
• Mid-March
• Apply a crabgrass preventer
• Repeat for season-long control
• April and May
• Spot-spray broadleaf weed killer for summer weeds
• October and November
• Spot-spray broadleaf weed killer for winter weeds
• Cars must have current tags and inspections
• Trailers must be in side or rear yards
Henrico County Code Requirements
• Grass must be less than 12 inches tall
Henrico County Code RequirementsProhibited:
“storage or accumulation of trash, garbage, refuse, litter, and other substances…”
“Litter must be kept in watertight containers”
To report a violation call 501-4757
orwww.henrico.us/revit
LANDSCAPE TREES AND SHRUBS: SELECTION, INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE
Choosing the Right Plants
Matching the right trees and shrubs to your site is the most important aspect of plant selection.
A plant that is not suited to its planting site will perform poorly, require more maintenance, and ultimately die before its time.
Getting started
• See what plants are growing in the area
• Visit a local garden and nurseries
• Use books or web programs
Site Evaluation
Assess site properties that affect plant growth before choosing a species to plant.
Choosing the Right Plants
Cultural Requirements
How much Light does the site receive?
Full sun
Shade
What type of Soil are you planting in?
Sandy
Loam
Clay
☼ Full sun: at least 6 hrs. of direct light (most large trees)
☼ Partial sun: 3 – 6 hrs. direct sun (some small trees)
☼ Shade: less than 3 hrs.
Sunlight reflects from glass and white walls, often exposing trees to intense heat when located near buildings.
Light Exposure
Cultural Requirements
Is the plant Hardy in your area?
Central VA = Zone 7
Is the tree tolerant of Pests common to the area?
Cultural Requirements
Is the area susceptible to Water problems?
Drought
Flood
Ideal Soil Drainage
2” per hour
1”– 3” okay
4” or more too fast
“Perk” test
Space / Site Restrictions
How much space is available?
Would the tree affect buildings, sidewalks, or driveways?
Are there any utilities near?
Overhead wires
Underground pipes, wires
Miss Utility
Overhead Wires
• Utility companies and their customers pay over 1 billion dollars each year to trim trees away from power lines.
• Trees are involved in approximately 30 percent of all power outages.
Consider Desired Features
Shade
Screen / Windbreak
Ornamental / AccentFlower
Fruit
Foliage
Be sure to consider the Mature size of your tree or shrub
Mature size
Small (< 30 ft. at mature height)
- Ornamental features: showy flowers, fruit, foliage, or bark
- Nice as specimen plant near deck or patio
- Good for small soil spaces
Large (> 50 ft. at mature height)
- Provide shade
- Can reduce air conditioning bills when placed properly
Deciduous vs. Evergreen
Evergreens - Conifers
Deciduous
Evergreens - Broad Leaved
Growth rate and wood strength
Fast growing species can (but not always) have brittle wood that is susceptible to breakage.
Ornamental traits
After evaluating the site and coming up with a list of trees that can thrive in those conditions, now comes the fun part!
Selecting Landscape Plants
Publication Title Pub Number
Rare and Unusual Trees 426-604
Conifers 426-605
Broad-Leaved Evergreens 426-607
Groundcovers 426-609
Shade Trees 426-610
Flowering Trees 426-611
Trees for Hot Sites 430-024
Showy Flowering Shrubs HORT-84P
www.ext.vt.edu
Planting Trees and Shrubs
Nothing is as important to the successful growth of a new landscape plant as is the planting process and the first year’s care.
There is a lot of truth to the old
saying that it is better to plant a
$50 tree in a $100 hole than a
$100 tree in a $50 hole.
Types of Nursery Stock and Planting Times
• Balled and Burlapped (B&B)
– Fall/Winter/Spring
• Container Grown
– All year
• Bare Root
– Fall/Spring
Ten Steps to Proper Planting
1. Look up for wires, lights, etc.
2. Handle the tree by the root ball, not the trunk.
3. Find the top-most root and measure root ball depth.
4. Dig wide/shallow planting hole
5. Treat root defects.
6. Carefully place tree in hole and check position of top-most root.
7. Remove burlap from trunk & top of root ball.
8. Add backfill soil and firm.
9. Add mulch to 2-inch depth.
10. Stake and prune if needed.
1. Look up!
This is your last chance to be
sure you have selected the right
tree for the right place.
If there is a wire, security light, or
building nearby:
Plant elsewhere, or
Plant a small-maturing tree
2. Handle By Root Ball, Not Trunk
No matter if large or small,Handle a tree, not by the trunk,But by the root ball!
3. Find the top-most root
The point where the top-most root meets the trunk of the tree should be no more than 2 inches deep in the root ball.
4. Wide, Shallow Planting Hole
• Determine the planting hole size.
– 2-3 times the root ball
• Sides of hole should
taper, but don’t glaze.
• Root ball should rest on solid soil.
4. Depth of Planting Hole
Measure the distance between the top most root and the bottom of the root ball.
Dig the hole no deeper than this measurement, or even a couple of inches shallower, especially if drainage is a concern..
5. Treat Root Defects
Cut or spread out any circling or kinked roots.
Remove potentially girdling roots.
6. Set Tree in the Planting Hole and Check Depth
TOO DEEP! – remove and add soil to bottom of hole
7. Remove Burlap
At a minimum, the burlap should be removed from the trunk and the top of the root ball.
8. Add Backfill Soil and Firm
• Loosely replace backfill about half-way.
• Water to settle soil around roots.
• Repeat with remaining backfill soil.
Watering
• During the first growing
season, trees should be
watered at least once a
week in the absence of
rain; more often during
the height of the
summer.
• Make sure water soaks
into the entire root ball
AND the surrounding
soil.
9. MulchingA thin layer of mulch (2” to 3”)
applied as broadly as practical,
can improve the soil, structure,
oxygen level, temperature and
moisture availability where the
roots grow.
Trees, Turf, and Mulch
• If turfgrass grows up to
the trunk, trees often
perform poorly.
• Turf and weeds rob
trees of moisture and
nutrients and some
produce chemicals that
inhibit tree growth.
• Lawn mowing equipment
damages trunk.
10. Staking
• Trees should be able to sway with the wind. This helps the tree develop strong wood.
• However, if the tree sways too much, or falls over, then it needs to be staked!
Prune To Finish The Job
1. Dead branches2. Diseased branches3. Damaged or broken
branches4. Branches that rub
together5. Branches growing toward
center6. Water sprouts & suckers7. Lower branches in way of
mowing
Pruning Larger Limbs
Flush cutting branch back to trunk is incorrect, it wounds the trunk and causes decay. Make the cut along branch collar.
Locating the Branch Collar
Make pruning cut outside of branch collar (Line 1) so the wound will callus and “seal” as in photos above.
Hand Pruners
• Two types of pruners
– Bypass
– Anvil
• For cutting up to ¾” in diameter
Bypass Pruners
Anvil Pruners
When to Prune? The General Rule
• Late winter, early spring is best for most pruning– This leaves fresh wounds exposed only for short
time before new growth begins
– It’s easier to make pruning decisions without leaves obscuring structure
• Trees and shrubs that bloom on current season’s wood
• Trees and shrubs grown for foliage
When to Prune? The Exception
• Prune following early blooming trees and shrubs immediately after blooming
– Azaleas and Rhododendron
– Forsythia
– Japanese quince
– Star Magnolia
– Viburnums
• Bloom on previous seasons’ wood
Making the Cut
• Pruning cuts should be made about ¼” cut above a bud and at a 45o angle.
• Prune to an outward-facing bud to force new growth in the desired direction.
Heading Back vs. Thinning
Heading Back-
Shortening
branches by cutting
to a bud or lateral
branch
Thinning-
Complete removal
of entire branches
back to a main
branch, to the trunk
or to the soil line.
Selective Pruning Before and After
Don’t Top Trees!
Crape “Murder”
Properly Pruning Crape Myrtles