I have received a lot of questions about “home lawns and how to make them their best” through this blog.  I am happy to answer them, and help you have the best grass in your California neighborhood.

Should I buy a Reel or Rotary Mower?

This is a question that I am frequently asked.   The  question is usually followed by which type is better?  I will say that they are both great mowers, but the type you use will vary depending on the variety of grass you’re maintaining, height of cut, leaf blade, and frequency of cut.  Most of the grasses that are grown in AZ and CA can be mowed with either a rotary or reel type mower, but the reel mower does provides a clean, crisp cut that can range in height from putting green height  of 1/10thof an inch all the way to an inch.  A rotary mower is best used for grass that is above 3/4 inch and is ideally maintained between 1 and 2 inches.  If you are looking for a quality reel mower you can expect to pay between $1500-$5000. They do sell the push reel mower, but keep in mind that as the bermudagrass gets thick in the summer months it’s extremely tough to push the mower through the lawn. 

How much do I need to water during the winter?

There is not an exact science to watering in the winter because we do receive our most significant rainfall during these months, and we experience temperatures that can vary from 20 degrees to 80 degrees.  A good range is to water 1-2 times per week for about 20 minutes per cycle.  You can extend the days in between watering the grass if you only water when the grass is wilting.  If you step on the grass and it doesn’t pop right back up and leaves a footprint, then it’s time to water.  There is more moisture in the plant during the winter,  thus it needs to be watered far less frequently.

Why is my Ryegrass turning yellow?

Your ryegrass is greatly affected by the cold morning temperatures and frost.  The ryegrass is unable to take up any granular fertilizers when the soil temperatures remain very low, so the grass can only be treated with a foliar application.  There are a lot of excellent products out there on the market including our own product called “Seasonal Booster.”  You can order this through our offices for just $19.95 for two bottles, and it’ll connect to your hose for easy application.  Each bottle will treat 1000 SF.

Can I Sod during the Winter Months?

There is not a bad time to sod in AZ and CA.  During the winter months the grasses are overseeded with perennial ryegrass to maintain color.

 My dog is allergic to bermudagrass, what other options do I have?

Seashore paspalum is not a bermudagrass and thrives in the AZ and CA climates.  It is a grass that uses 66 % less nitrogen than bermudagrass, can handle a pH range of 4.5-9.0, thrives in hot humid areas, and has a deep green color. Seashore paspalum is as close to a year round grass as is currently available, will maintain its color 4-6 weeks longer than bermudagrass, and will green up 4 weeks earlier.

How do I repair urine damage to my ryegrass?

The easiest way to repair dog spotting is by treating the area like a golf course divot.  You’ll want to make a sand/seed mixture, and hand water the seeded areas daily till they recover.  You can purchase 10 pound buckets of BOBSeed from our office for $24.95, and it will match your West Coast Turf lawn. 

Do I need to water my dormant turf?

I suggest that you water your dormant grass for about 20-40 minutes every three to four weeks during the winter months to maintain moisture and avoid any desiccation.

How do I prevent annual broadleafs?

Annualbroad leafs can be controlled with a pre-emergent application in mid to late February.  This will carry you through the summer season.

Please send me your additional questions and pictures, and I’ll help you get back on the right track.  Having your neighbor “green with envy” over your lawn in a good thing in my book.

Jay

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