Hello Everyone!

I hope you’re all well and managed to get a glimpse of the eclipse last Monday! Alas, at the critical moment a big gray cloud blocked my view, but it is quite literally impossible for a Brit to be surprised by gray clouds. I did get a road trip with my daughter out of it though, and on a day when she wasn’t finding me nails-on-chalkboard irritating, so a big win for me 😀😀😀

Enough of teenagers and weather though, here’s what you need to know about your lawn for April!
To save those with short attention spans (or a lackluster interest in grass, if there is such a thing) we’re doing the summary list first with details and pictures below.

1. Weeds!
2. Nematodes (the beneficial, grubworm eating kind) You want them: we have them.
3. Old damage vs. new brown patch
4. Tree roots of doom and compaction aka dramatic tree roots (yes I am anthropomorphizing your tree roots, whatcha gonna do about it??)
5. Summer top dressing

1. Winter weeds are starting to die off but kyllinga and Virginia buttonweed are already here and I’m expecting Doveweed to emerge in the next few weeks.
This is a website we use for weed identification should you be curious about the non-grass green things lingering in your lawn.

 
Kyllinga
Virginia Buttonweed

2. It’s Nematode time! Beneficial nematodes are an organic and natural management for flea, tick, sodworm, armyworm and grubworm populations so I do recommend this application for everyone if possible. The cost of the application is the same as your regular treatment visit, if you want to be added to the schedule respond “nematode” to this email.

3. Most lawns still have some old damage growing out (normal) but it’s not unusual to see a spot of active fungus if we have a rainy April. Signs of NEW damage will be brown/yellow/orange grass where it had already turned green, if all the damaged grass is very light brown dead thatch then that’s probably old damage. See pictures below to help with identification, or you can send us pictures if you have an area of concern
Old Damage
New brown patch, yellowing around outside, green growth in the middle
4. For those who haven’t already heard me complaining: tree roots! Both visible at surface and sneaking around just below the surface they continue to compete for the most challenging lawn problem. They’re compacting the soil and yoinking – technical term 🤣 – vital nutrients, and St. Augustine is a big old wus who can’t take the heat (and therefore stays out of the kitchen, but that doesn’t help much in Texas.)
See this video for a demonstration of the problem, and please note this can affect lawns with small, medium and large trees and the sooner you start to address it the easier it will be.
                                                                  Damage caused  by tree roots
5. We’re now scheduling summer top dressing, this is an organic compost application which helps recover or protect problem areas, improve soil condition and where needed help retain moisture over summer. It also makes the grass green and happy 😍 Respond “compost” to this email for info or pricing.
Watering 
  •  Cup test!  Make sure that the sprinklers are hitting everything – a cup test is a quick way to get ahead of an avoidable problem.
  • Sprinklers should be off
  • Run the sprinkler system only when the grass looks dry for 24+ hours
  • When watering ideally you should be getting a minimum of 1″ to all areas of the lawn, splitting the cycle if necessary and then going as many days as possible before watering again
 Crazy Grass Lady’s Giveaway 
We are pleased to announce the winner of our free compost application is Cindi T from Spring
This months giveaway is a free application of Soil Activator and Molasses respond “SAM” to this email to enter – One entry per person but you can nominate a friend or relative within our catchment area. You don’t have to be a current customer to enter.
                            

Yours sincerely

Crazy Grass Lady