GARDENING CALENDAR

TEXAS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

BEXAR COUNTY BY DAVID RODRIGUEZ

April 7, 2007

Do not fertilize your lawn yet. Mow your lawn at least three times or wait until about April 15. After that time, consider applying a 19-5-9 synthetic fertilizer or a 4-2-3 organic analysis.

Tune up your lawnmower, and be sure the blade is properly sharpened. A properly sharpened lawn mower blade cuts the grass; a dull blade tears the grass blades.

It’s a good time to re-sod or plant grass. If you have any shady or semi-shaded areas, you must use a St. Augustinegrass or a ground cover. The best and only St. Augustine grass which should be planted in this area is the Flora-TAM St. Augustine.

If your St. Augustine is a little chlorotic (yellow), try six tablespoons of iron sulfate dissolved in one gallon of water used as a spray. It’s not a cure-all, just a quick picker-upper. For long term greening and prevention of yellowing, consider Texas Green Sand at a rate of 10-20 pounds per 1,000 square feet.

Start the automatic sprinkler system if we have not had rain for two weeks.

David Rodriguez is County Extension Agent-Horticulture with Texas Cooperative Extension in Bexar County. For more information, call the Master Gardener “Hotline” (210) 467-6575 or visit our County Extension website at http://bexar-tx.tamu.edu.