Hello and Happy June!!

That’s right, we’re almost half way into 2024 and I can officially confirm time has no meaning. It’s already that special time of year when my kids demonstrate how it is possible to wake up exhausted after 14 hours of sleep and do absolutely nothing all day except swipe with one finger. No one can say this generation is lacking in digit dexterity! 

I actually do want to shout out my son Auggy though, who just turned 16 and passed his driving test first time! I’m both proud and terrified, but if he asks it’s a clear example of how gifted a teacher I am and nothing to do with any skill on his part 😆

But enough of my teenagers, here’s what you need to know about your lawn this month! As always I’ve summarized quickly for those who want a quick take, more details are below: 

1. Weeds, weeds, weeds! 

2. Caterpillars 

3. Watering: CUP TEST! 

4. Summer Aerations 

5. Mowing damage 

6. Chinch bugs 

1. Weeds: After weeks of regular heavy showers weeds have gotten much too cocky and are trying to beat up on St. Augustine 🥊. We are especially seeing a lot of doveweed, nutsedge, kyllinga and buttonweed but there’s an unusually high quantity due to the Spring rain. Doveweed and kyllinga are the ones that most concern me, you’d likely have to walk your lawn to spot them so please take note.

2. Caterpillars: Not to be outdone by weeds, I’m seeing the most enormous amount and variety of caterpillars this year. I haven’t yet seen any lawn damage and the caterpillars I’ve seen are not sod webworm, but it’s been a notable increase from previous years so something to keep an eye on – this includes Asps so watch out for any furry little guys! 
Asp Caterpillar
 3. Watering: Though I’m still not prepared to tell you to turn those sprinklers on, this is your last call to do a cup test before the heat of summer kicks in. It is better to be disappointed by the amount of water in a cup than find out the hard way your sprinklers need adjusting. Follow this link  for cup test instructions, or ask your sprinkler contractor to perform a professional survey. 

4. Aeration: We’re now enrolling people for summer aerations. After last year’s summer heat wave we’re trying to optimize the ability of lawns to hold water. Aeration provides short term relief from compacted soils that enable them to absorb moisture deeper into the root system, the effects last for 2-3 months depending on the weather. Reply “AERATION” to this email for an estimate, if you want to go all out and top dress as well include the word “COMPOST” with your response. 
 

 

5. Mowing Damage: As the weather warms up and we get more dry days the lawns become much more sensitive to mowing damage, this can include (but is not limited to): 

– tearing and splitting of grass tips from blunt blades, 

– burn marks and browning from mowing when too dry, 

– tracks from mowing when wet,
– thinning, receding and weeds from aggressive weed eating. 

To help avoid this damage: 

– keep mower blades sharp, 

– short watering cycles in the morning and evening of the day your lawn gets cut will help offset heat damage,

– skip weeks if the lawn is too wet, or make sure that a small push mower is being used to avoid track marks,

– only weed eat when actually necessary, if the grass isn’t growing over borders then skip that week.
   

 

6. Chinch Bugs: I’ve only seen one suspected case of chinch bugs this year but as the little critters love hot, dry sun it’s time to start keeping an eye out for them! Monitor especially any high sun areas close to concrete, if new yellowing appears, or yellow with browning grass, to an area you know is getting water, then you may have chinch bugs. If you have any concerns let us know, you can send pictures for a quick evaluation or we continue to offer call outs between treatments *
Early Chinch Bug Damage

 

Lastly – and just slightly off topic but there’s never a bad time for a good reference – I wanted to share the name and number of an electrician I was lucky enough to stumble upon. 

Ricky Vu

Rickrepairs2021@yahoo.com

Text/Call: 832 755 9924

I want to make clear that I am NOT receiving any incentive of any kind, no referral fees or discounted services, I’ve just always had a really hard time finding a good plumber, electrician and HVAC contractor who does good work at a reasonable price so having found a good electrician wanted to share his details. If you should need any electrical work in the future give him a call, he’s helped me with lights, fans, wiring and he also told me does generator work and installs. I hope this is helpful for someone, and if anyone has a plumber or HVAC guy who’s both affordable and trustworthy please let me know! 
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 Soil Activator and Molasses application is Cathy C from Tomball
This months giveaway is a $100 towards aeration, depending on the size of your lawn this may be a partial aeration. Reply  “HOLES” 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