Two late cold fronts in the middle of April have taken some properties by surprise. Accounts in rural areas were hit the hardest with temperatures dropping from the lower 80’s all the way down into the lower 40’s. St. Augustine grass does not care for wide temperature fluctuations and will lose some color as temperatures dip below 50. Unusual sudden temperature drops like this cause Chlorophyll production to fall off and grass blades show up yellow or purple; sometimes both on the same blade of grass. Don’t worry though the effect is transitory and will pass quickly.
At least we got some much needed rain with these fronts. It had been very dry all the way from March through mid April and the landscape needed the water. If we can get through our driest month May with some timely rains the lawns will really respond well. We cannot count on this though so if you have not checked your irrigation system lately, do it now. May is both hot and dry and your lawn will be depending upon you for its watering needs. Remember, what takes two weeks to dry up and dieback will take months to fill back in if it does at all.
For our residential lawn customers remember that we will be applying your summer crabgrass preventer application in the months of May or June. This application is scheduled independently from your every other month lawn visit and can be applied any time in May or June.
Kyle
* Don’t forget the program change we made to your lawn schedule for the 2005 season. An additional crabgrass preventer application will be applied in May or June just before the summer rains cause another heavy germination of crabgrass. This application is applied independently from your regular every other month application and will be charged at your regular summer rate.
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