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VideosOct 19, 2012
Fall season turf rejuvenation critical for drought-stricken areas
MOUNDRIDGE, Kan. While long-term effects of the 2012 Drought have yet to be seen, short-term impacts are already clearly visible. With more than 60 percent of the U.S. locked in a cycle of moderate drought or worse, lawns and turf in these regions are suffering. Lawns that receive a little extra attention this fall will have an advantage over lawns that are left to fend for themselves until spring. Because turfgrasses are 75 percent water, when the plant loses more water through the leaves than it absorbs through the roots, drought stress sets in. The grass eventually stops growing and enters a dormant state. While the plant may not be dead, taking appropriate action in the fall can help the turf recover during the winter and come back rejuvenated in the spring. The Grasshopper Company recommends these steps to nurse drought-stricken turf areas back to health: Mow higher Though fall rains can spur vigorous blade growth, resisting the urge to mow can be beneficial. Drought stress is not eliminated after one or two waterings or rain showers, so give the turf some additional time to encourage root growth and depth before mowing. Apply the 1/3 Rule remove the top third of the blade height when mowing to avoid additional stress. Remove thatch layer Thatch build up can prevent water and nutrients from absorbing into the soil where the plant roots need it most. Use a thatch remover, like the Tine-Rake Dethatcher for Grasshopper mowers, to lift the thatch from the turf. Collect the thatch and use as compost. Aerate, Aerate, Aerate Jason Potthoff of JP Lawn Care in Winamac, Ind., says aeration is key to any healthy lawn. He recommends aerating twice a year, in the fall and spring, and especially after a drought. Aerating relieves soil compaction, encourages root growth, improves water absorption and prepares the soil for overseeding and fertilizing, he says. Potthoff uses the AERA-vator implement for his Grasshopper mower, which makes aerating and conditioning the soil quick, thorough and easy, as opposed to walk-behind or coring aerators. Overseed and/or Fertilize Overseed to fill in thin or bare areas, and apply a starter fertilizer with higher levels of phosphorus to establish the new root system. If the lawn does not require overseeding, simply apply a fertilizer with higher levels of nitrogen, which will encourage growth and recovery. Grasshopper offers a drift-control Shielded Sprayer for on-target chemical application and less labor than backpack sprayers or walk-behind granular spreaders. To learn more about these implements that make turf rejuvenation easier and more effective, as well as the full line of Grasshopper True ZeroTurn mowers, visit Grasshopper at GIE+EXPO Booth 9130 inside, 7542-D outside in Louisville, Ky., Oct. 25-26, or go online at grasshoppermower.com.
About Grasshopper
The Grasshopper Company is a privately held corporation dedicated solely to the design and production of commercial and large-acreage mowing and grounds maintenance equipment. Grasshopper introduced the first zero-turn radius mower with dual swing-out levers in 1969, and other industry firsts include the first liquid-cooled diesel-powered zero-turn radius mower in 1983 and the first electric-actuated fold-up mower deck in 2004. Based in Moundridge, Kan., the company distributes its products worldwide and is committed to lean and clean manufacturing practices reducing impact to the environment.
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