Greenscape Gardens Green Blog

THE OLD SIGN PHILOSOPHER, THOUGHT FOR THE DAY!

The Old Sign Philosopher is being serious this week because of the devastation by Hurricane Katrina.

First and foremost, we ask you to pray for Josh Eckhoff (our friend and fellow employee) who is being deployed to aid in the relief effort on the Gulf Coast. Josh returned from over one year deployment in Iraq less than seven months ago. Josh enrolled at UMSL and regrettfully will leave school to help the victims of Katrina. He will be leaving from Perryville, Missouri on Thursday, September 8th. Everyone at Greenscape Gardens salute you.

Secondly; and this is where you can help. Greenscape Gardens is donating $1.00 for every retail mum sale through the month of September. We sent a check for $450.00 to the International Red Cross today for the past week's mum sales.

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SORRY NO SPECIAL SALE THIS WEEK. WE'RE ANTICIPATING YOUR SUPPORT IN RAISING MONEY FOR THE KATRINA RELIEF FUND. WE WILL DONATE $1.00 FOR EVERY RETAIL 2 GALLON MUM SOLD DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER. BEAUTIFY YOUR GARDEN AND HELP THOSE LESS FORTUNATE IN THE GULF COAST AREA.

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LAWN IMPROVEMENT THROUGH FERTILIZATION & WEED CONTROL

This past summer has been devastating to many of the lawns in the St. Louis area. But many people don't realize that you can improve your lawn by approaching your lawn problems with fertilization. We can still dramatically improve our lawn with fertilizing and possibly some weed control. Golf courses apply 70% of their fertilizer in the fall while homeowners put 70% of the fertilizer down in the spring. Would you like a golf course green or your weed infested, thin lawn?

September is the most important time to fertilize a cool season turfgrass to encourage rooting and increased density. Fertilization should be done in mid-September with a product that has a nutrient ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium of about 4-1-2. Examples of fertilizers with this ratio would be 24-6-12 or 20-5-10. Apply fertilizer at 1.0 lb N/1000 ft2.

A second fertilizer application should be made after the last mowing of the year but while the turfgrass is still green. A heavy nitrogen source (winterizing fertilizer) is very effective for late fall fertilization. The nitrogen should be applied at the rate of 1.5 lbs /1000 ft2. Nitrogen is the most important nutrient to apply for a late fall fertilization.

Two applications of fertilizer should be adequate to maintain or even improve most lawns in the fall. A third application in mid-October could boost your lawn even more if it was especially thin after summer. Apply 1.0 lb /1000 ft2 in with a soluble nitrogen source like winterizing fertilizer.

An application of a broadleaf herbicide containing 2,4-D, MCPP and dicamba in mid-October will control dandelions, plantain, wild violets, clover, and black medic among other weeds. Read and follow all directions on the herbicide label when using the product. Be careful when using these products because they may damage desired vegetation such as flowers, trees, shrubs, or vegetables. Apply this product on a sunny day when no rain is forecast and temperatures are above 50 F.

For additional information concerning lawn renovation.

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Looking for late season perennials which will add color to your fall gardens. Check out this link from Walters Gardens.