Friday, September 18, 2009 9:12 PM CDT
Yard and Garden: Fall lawn activities -- seeding, fertilizing and tree walks
By Jon Collins, Master Gardener
We know that fall is the time to plant spring bulbs. Fall is also a great time to plant perennials, shrubs and most trees. So here to help you, at least with the purchase of some reasonably priced perennials, is a fall plant sale.
The Coles County University of Illinois master gardeners will host a plant sale on Wednesday at the Farmers Market on the Charleston Square. From 9 to 11 a.m. you will be able to purchase from an assorted list of plants.
There will be lemon thyme, rose campion, Artemisia, Anemone, iris, assorted perennial grasses, Coreopsis, Plumbago, miscellaneous herbs, rattlesnake master, redbud trees, lambs ear, Shefflera, rubber trees, Itea, and probably more. Some selections may be limited, so come early for the best picks.
Proceeds from the sale will be used to continue U of I Extension agriculture and natural resources programming in Coles County.
In addition to being a great time to plant and divide, fall is also the best time to do all lawn maintenance chores except for controlling annual grassy weeds (crabgrass, goose grass, barnyard grass, foxtail). Those weeds need to be controlled in early spring with the application of a preemergent pesticide — a pesticide that is applied before the grassy weeds emerge from the soil.
Seeding
Fall seeding of lawns is superior to spring seeding because the soil is already warm and there is less competition from weeds. The prime time for fall seed in our area is Aug. 15 to Sept. 15. If you plan to do fall seeding, do it as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more susceptible the new grass will be to injury or death from winter cold.
For the seed to germinate, it must be in contact with the soil. After seeding, rake the seed into the top layer of soil or gently roll into bare soil. For best results, keep the soil moist until the seed germinates. A light mulch can be helpful to retain moisture.
Fertilizing
The primary focus for fertilizer application should be when the turf can best use it. That’s September and November. Late spring (May) after the spring growth flush should be your third choice.
Apply a fertilizer designed specifically for lawns such as a 28-0-3. The numbers indicate the percentage by weight of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the bag. In established turf in our area, phosphorus should not be applied unless a soil test indicates it is needed.
Frequent mowing at 3 inches or more, the return of clippings to the lawn, and using a sharp blade will allow the turf to benefit most from applied fertilizer and also recycle the nutrients in clippings from year to year.
Why a November application? A late fall application of nitrogen promotes good root development, enhances storage of energy reserves, and extends color retention this fall. Most of the benefits from the application will be seen next spring and summer with earlier spring green-up, improved density and improved tolerance to diseases and other stresses.
This late fall application should be applied near or after the last mowing of the year, but while grass is still green (usually the first two weeks of November). Apply fertilizer with a soluble nitrogen source such as urea, ammonium nitrate, or ammonium sulfate at a rate of 1 to 1.25 pounds of nitrogen per 1000 square feet.
Broadleaf weed control
The period from late September to mid-November is the ideal time to control broadleaf weeds in turf because broadleaf weeds are most susceptible to herbicides at this time. Research at Purdue University seems to indicate that the very best control might be obtained when applications are made right after the first frost.
Apply on a sunny day with moderate temperatures, no wind, ample soil moisture and no rain in the 24-hour forecast.
A herbicide containing two or more active ingredients including 2,4-D, MCPP, MCPA, or triclopyr will control most broadleaf weeds with one application. Consider spot spraying the weeds to limit the amount of pesticide applied.
Always read and follow all directions on the herbicide label when using the product. Failure to do so may cause damage to desirable vegetation such as flowers, trees, shrubs or vegetables.
Wow, after all this lawn work, it’s time to take a break and enjoy the fall foliage. And what better way to observe the fall foliage than participating in a fall tree walk.
Now isn’t this a coincidence? There’s one coming up next month.
Fall tree walk
Did you know that Eastern Illinois University has a large collection of trees, more than 50 genera with more than 100 varieties, all growing in a relatively small area.
Come join the Coles County master gardeners for a fall tree walk through the north portion of the campus, where we will look at 112 different trees. This event will start promptly at 9 a.m. Oct. 24.
If Mother Nature cooperates, we should see lots of these trees at or near their prime fall foliage colors. In addition this is an opportunity to see many mature trees growing in a landscape setting, something not available when viewing a potential purchase in a nursery. On the tour we’ll talk trees — a mix of identification hints, natural history snippets, folklore, and probably some other odds and ends.
Registration for this free event will take place on the east side of Old Main (or as my grandson calls it, the Castle), 400 Lincoln Ave. (Illinois Route 16) in Charleston from 8:45 to 9 a.m. Free parking is available across from Old Main on Seventh Street (across from the EIU water tower). Park in any space except those with a parking meter.
This is a leisurely stroll through campus. However, the full tour takes about three hours, so if anyone gets tired or needs to leave before the tour finishes, the parking lot is never very far away.
Hope to see you there.
This column is based on information and materials at the University of Illinois Extension office, located at 707 Windsor Road, Suite A, Charleston, 61920; phone 345-7034; or Web site: www.extension.uiuc.edu/coles/. If you have any horticulture questions, call the U of I Extension office at 345-7034. Volunteer master gardeners are in the office from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday and Thursday.
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