GARDENING CALENDAR

TEXAS AGRILIFE EXTENSION SERVICE

BEXAR COUNTY BY DAVID RODRIGUEZ

April 11, 2009

Warm season turfgrasses, such as Floratam St. Augustine, TiffWay 419 Bermuda, and El Toro Zoysia, should be fertilized with a 3-1-2 ratio consisting of 50% timed released nitrogen. This would include a 19-5-9, 21-7-14, 20-5-10, or 15-5-10 analysis.

If an organic formulation is preferred in feeding your spring turfgrass, simply apply two to three times the recommended rate and re-apply in six weeks.

Bermudagrass types should be mowed at a height of two inches; Zoysia lawns perform best at around three inches in height and St. Augustine selections at four inches.

Mow turfgrasses with a mulching mower to incorporate the grass clippings back into the soil to re-release ‘free’ nutrients.

If bagging of grass clippings are necessary, do not place them on the curve in a plastic bag and use up space in are overburden landfills. Better yet, spread the clippings out to dry and incorporate them into a well balanced compost pile.

David Rodriguez is the County Extension Agent-Horticulture with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service 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.