LAWN CARE
Watering
If turf grass becomes too dry in its dormant stage, it can and will die. In fact, more Texas turf is lost during winter to desiccation (complete dryness) than to freeze damage. Be sure to water your lawn at least once every three or four weeks during winter if there hasn’t been enough rain or snow. A dry lawn is likely to be damaged more by low temperatures than a well-watered lawn.
As the lawn starts to break out of dormancy and green up in later winter and early spring, it’s critical to keep it well watered. Turf grass is composed of plants that generate new roots, stems, and leaves during this transitional time.
Fertilize
4 TIMES A YEAR
Apply a simple 15-5-10 for an early green-up. Most companies that make slow-release fertilizers also make a non slow-release 15-5-10 that provides for a quick two-week green up before we get to the heart of the fertilizer schedule.
Late February - Early March
Fungicide
2 TIMES A YEAR
Gray Leaf Spot is a blotchy spot on the grass blade leafs. (mostly on St. Augustine lawns) Use fungicides with active ingredients like Daconil, Consan or Banner.
To control the dreaded brown patch fungal disease (symmetrical brown circles in the grass), use a systemic lawn fungicide. Apply at the first sign of disease and reapply as needed, typically 2–3 times, following label instructions.
Herbicide
3 TIMES A YEAR
Use pre-emergent herbicides, to prevent the weeds that we experience in February and March.
Use pre-emergent controls for grassy weeds again, to prevent such weeds as Crabgrass, Goosegrass and Dallisgrass from popping up late in the spring and summer.
One more application of a grassy pre-emergent will keep fall weeds from invading from August on.
Use pre-emergent controls for grassy weeds again, to prevent such weeds as Crabgrass, Goosegrass and Dallisgrass from popping up late in the spring and summer.
One more application of a grassy pre-emergent will keep fall weeds from invading from August on.
(Pre-Emergent controls to prevent weeds)
MARCH – MAY
AUGUST – October
Late October - Early November
February - March
May - Early June
Insecticide
Insecticides should only be applied when a problem is present. Be prepared for chinch bugs from spring to early summer and grub worms from late summer to early fall. Damage may appear as irregular-shaped spots in the lawn along concrete areas. Spot-treat with a liquid insecticide and follow with a granular application if needed, per label instructions. Area needs constant monitoring.
LAWN CARE QUICK TIPS
Apply slow-release 3-1-2 ratio fertilizers.
Apply slow-release 3-1-2 ratio fertilizers. (recommended formulations 19-5-9, 19-4-10, 18-4-6, 15-5-10.)
If turf grass looks yellow (chlorosis) or necrotic, use an application of either granular or liquid iron. Once a year should be enough.
Apply winterizer formulas for winter hardiness. Ratios vary, but make sure they are “winter” or “fall” formulas designed for southern grasses. (examples: 18-6-12, 8-12-16, 10-5-14) Will make lawns winter-hardy.
Late March - Early April
Late June - Early July
June - September
October - November
PREPARE YOUR SOIL
Remove old sod and clear all debris, including rocks, stumps, and weeds.
Grade the lawn to provide proper drainage and protect primary foundation
Til the top few inches of soil to improve aeration and reduce compaction. You can choose to add nutrient-filled compost to be mixed with the soil to enhance sod growth.
4
Install a sprinkler system to efficiently water your grass.
Re-grade your lawn before installation to ensure there are no potholes or divets that will allow water to stand.
Test your soil pH and add a fertilizer depending on the nutrients that you need.
1
2
5
3
6
INSTALLING NEW SOD
1
Calculate the square footage needed for your lawn; each pallet covers approximately 450 square feet.
2
Prepare your soil. Make sure your soil is ready before laying sod by following the guidelines in the “Prepare Your Soil” section above.
3
Install the first row of sod along a straight edge (fence, sidewalk, etc.) for precise placement. Stagger the second row in a brick-like pattern to offset seams, keeping all pieces flush with each other.
4
As you are laying the sod, make sure to ensure good soil-to-sod contact. Once the entire lawn is planted, a lawn roller may be used to smooth out the yard and encourage root growth.
5
Water the sod as you are laying it. Once you are finished installing the grass, your lawn should be watered every day for the first week. The first week is critical in watering your freshly laid sod.
6
Try not walk on freshly planted grass for about a week due to saturation.
Emerald Zoysia
Palisades Zoysia
Palmetto St. Augustine
Raleigh St. Augustine
TifTuf Bermuda
Zeon Zoysia
Celebration Bermuda
Results may vary based on lawn conditions, weather, soil type, watering, and maintenance practices. Horizon Grass Farms is not responsible for variations in growth or performance once sod has been installed.
Celebration Bermuda
- In Spring and Summer, mow 3/4″ to 1″ every 3-5 days or as needed. Do not scalp. Never remove more than 1/3 of leaf blade in any single mowing. In Fall and Winter, mow every 7-10 days or as needed.
- Perform soil analysis to best determine your specific needs. Higher nitrogen (N) rates should only be applied in Spring. In Summer and Fall, fertilize with a product low in nitrogen and higher in phosphorous and potassium. Can use products with iron to improve color and limit growth surges.
- At least 1″ of water weekly is recommended to keep optimal appearance and to resist disease and pests. However, in periods of drought or high temperatures, grass will need to be watered more often. Water when leaf blades wilt.
Emerald Zoysia
Palisades Zoysia
Palmetto St. Augustine
Raleigh St. Augustine
TifTuf Bermuda
Zeon Zoysia
Results may vary based on lawn conditions, weather, soil type, watering, and maintenance practices. Horizon Grass Farms is not responsible for variations in growth or performance once sod has been installed.
Celebration Bermuda
- Mow at 1.5 cutting height. Mow no more than 1/3 of the leaf off at one mowing. May be required on a 7 to 10 day interval
- Water to supplement rainfall shortages only. Avoid fixed timer irrigation settings. Though drought tolerant, Zoysia best performs when it receives approximately 1 inch of water per week. If one or more inches of rainfall occur in a week, additional irrigation is not necessary.
- Fertilize with Total Lawn Food 16-4-8 + Iron and Pelletized Dolomitic Limestone, which can be purchased at your local Super-Sod store.
- Apply between 2 and 4 pounds of nitrogen per 1000 square feet annually, during the growing season. Too much fertility will result in a thatchy, unhealthy lawn and increased disease risk.
- Supplemental application of Iron will improve grass color.
- Zoysia’s dense growth can reduce the weed population but to be sure, use of a pre-emergent herbicide, recommended for use on zoysia lawns on the label, is strongly recommended in the spring and fall.
Emerald Zoysia
Palisades Zoysia
Palmetto St. Augustine
Raleigh St. Augustine
TifTuf Bermuda
Zeon Zoysia
Results may vary based on lawn conditions, weather, soil type, watering, and maintenance practices. Horizon Grass Farms is not responsible for variations in growth or performance once sod has been installed.
- For home or commercial applications: In Spring and Summer, mow 1″-2″ every 7-10 days. Shorter heights require regular and more frequent mowing. Do not scalp. Never remove more than 1/3 of leaf blade in any single mowing. In Fall and Winter, mow every 10-14 days.
- For sports or golf applications: Palisades tolerates close mowing, between 1/2″ to 7/8″. For these shorter heights, mow twice a week with a reel mower.
- In Spring, apply fertilizer after danger of frost or in mid-February in frost-free areas. Use balanced time-released fertilizer such as 16-4-8. Can use products with iron to improve color. Perform soil analysis for best results.
- In Fall, apply balanced time-released fertilizer such as 15-5-10.
- Requires 3-4 lbs. of Nitrogen per 1000 square feet per year for a highly maintained turf.
- At least 1″ of water weekly is recommended to keep optimal appearance and to resist disease and pests. However, in periods of drought or high temperatures, grass will need to be watered more often. Water when leaf blades wilt.
Emerald Zoysia
Palisades Zoysia
Celebration Bermuda
Palmetto St. Augustine
Raleigh St. Augustine
TifTuf Bermuda
Zeon Zoysia
Results may vary based on lawn conditions, weather, soil type, watering, and maintenance practices. Horizon Grass Farms is not responsible for variations in growth or performance once sod has been installed.
- In Spring and Summer, mow 2-2.5″ every 7-10 days or as needed, slightly higher in shade. Can mow to 1.5″ if mowings are more frequent. Do not scalp. Never remove more than 1/3 of leaf blade in any single mowing. In Fall and Winter, mow every 10-14 days or as needed.
- In Spring and Summer, apply fertilizer after danger of frost or in mid-February in frost-free areas. Use balanced time-released fertilizer, such as 16-4-8 (N-P-K). Can use products with iron to improve color. Perform soil analysis for best results.
- In Fall, use balanced fertilizer, such as 10-10-10. Can use products with iron to improve color.
- In Winter, fertilizer is not recommended except in South Texas (frost-free areas). Perform soil analysis for best results.
- At least 1″ of water weekly is recommended to keep optimal appearance and to resist disease and pests. However, in periods of drought or high temperatures, grass will need to be watered more often. Water when leaf blades wilt.
Palmetto St. Augustine
Emerald Zoysia
Palisades Zoysia
Celebration Bermuda
Raleigh St. Augustine
TifTuf Bermuda
Zeon Zoysia
Results may vary based on lawn conditions, weather, soil type, watering, and maintenance practices. Horizon Grass Farms is not responsible for variations in growth or performance once sod has been installed.
- Spring and Summer, mow 2-3″ every 7-10 days or as needed, slightly higher in shade. Do not scalp. Never remove more than 1/3 of leaf blade in any single mowing. In Fall and Winter, mow every 10-14 days or as needed.
- Requires 2-3 fertilizer applications per year, with a fertilizer ratio of 3-1-2 (N-P-K) and a slow-release nitrogen source.
- Requires half as much potassium (K) as nitrogen (N) to maintain growth. Nitrogen contributes to color and potassium increases root growth, cold tolerance, and drought tolerance. Phosphorus (P) usually not required unless soil test shows phosphorus missing or low.
- At least 1″ of water weekly is recommended to keep optimal appearance and to resist disease and pests. However, in periods of drought or high temperatures, grass will need to be watered more often. Water when leaf blades wilt.
TifTuf Bermuda
Zeon Zoysia
Raleigh St. Augustine
Emerald Zoysia
Palisades Zoysia
Palmetto St. Augustine
Celebration Bermuda
Results may vary based on lawn conditions, weather, soil type, watering, and maintenance practices. Horizon Grass Farms is not responsible for variations in growth or performance once sod has been installed.
- Maintain cutting height of 0.5-2 inches. Moving may be required on a 4 to 7 day interval. Mow no more than 1/3 of the leaf off at one mowing.
- Apply between 3 and 6 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet annually, during the growing season.
- Bermuda thrives on a neutral to alkaline soil with a pH range of 6 to 7.
TifTuf Bermuda
Zeon Zoysia
Emerald Zoysia
Palisades Zoysia
Palmetto St. Augustine
Raleigh St. Augustine
Celebration Bermuda
Results may vary based on lawn conditions, weather, soil type, watering, and maintenance practices. Horizon Grass Farms is not responsible for variations in growth or performance once sod has been installed.
- On golf course fairways, Zeon can be mowed as low as 3/8” height. On homeowner and commercial sites, Zeon can be mowed from 1”-2” making it the ideal “Barefoot Grass.”
- Suggested mowing height ¼”-1 ½”
- Annual Nitrogen (N) use 1-2 pounds per 1000 sq ft using split applications in spring and late summer
- Provide approximately 1” water per week. If conditions become hot & dry with low `growing conditions.
Zeon Zoysia
Emerald Zoysia
Palisades Zoysia
Palmetto St. Augustine
Raleigh St. Augustine
TifTuf Bermuda
