Don't Be Alarmed by Your Camouflage Lawn!

Due to the reduced temperatures, turf growth is starting to slow down.  Soon, Bermuda & Zoysia lawns will enter their dormant phase.  During the colder months, Bermuda & Zoysia lawns turn brown and do not actively grow.  When the process begins, you might see a camouflage pattern in your lawn.  No worries!  The brown coloring will eventually spread evenly throughout your lawn.  This is a natural pattern of change, and shouldn't cause any alarm.  Different environmental factors affect the speed of dormancy, so every lawn is different.  Your neighbor's lawn might still be green, or vice versa.  Every lawn browns at its own pace! Same rule applies in the spring.  Every lawn will green up at its own pace as well.  

Photo Credit to http://mygrassisgreenerthanyours.com/

                                         

Actively Growing Turf

 Taken outside our shop in Gainesville, GA

'Camouflage' Stage of Dormancy

Photo Credit of http://blog.zoysiafarms.com/why-is-my-zoysia-grass-brown/

Fully Dormant Turf

Check out our website for more tips and information.  If you have any questions, leave a comment and I'll get back to you as soon as possible!

The Importance of Leaf Removal

Leaf removal is not only essential from an aesthetic perspective, but also for agronomic reasons. Although turf grass growth slows or ceases during this time of year, the plant will continue to photosynthesize (create nutrients/energy). This energy is stored to be used the following year. When leaves are left on fescue grass, this reduces the ability to photosynthesize by shading available light. Leaf removal is most important with newly seeded lawns, since the young grass will die without light more quickly than the established turf. Leaves that remain on fescue seedlings can also increase rot conditions by creating a dark, damp climate that will smother out weaker plants. Leaf removal should be done on a regular basis (every 7 to 10 days) as opposed to waiting until all the leaves have fallen and collecting them all at once. While young grass is still around, you're better off using a blower to remove leaves, since a rake can injure the young grass or remove seedlings from the soil. The collected leaves can be composted to make good organic matter for gardening, or they can be used as a mulch layer in natural areas.

We want to keep our customers up to date on seasonal tips for your lawn and landscape. Continue to visit our website throughout the year to find additional information. And, as always, thank you for being a King GREEN customer. We appreciate your business.