Sutherlands Organic Solutions

Moss grows in yards as a result of too much moisture, too shady and or poorly maintained lawns.

Shady
Keeping trees and shrubs trimmed decreases heavy shade and poor air circulation which is needed for maintaining a healthy lawn. It is also a natural way in killing moss by alleviating damp, shady conditions.

Poorly Maintain Lawn
Improving pH levels for ideal lawn grass growth, applying organic fertilizer and properly aerating lawns every two years keep moss levels controlled.
Well maintain lawn creates a strong root system and that produces a healthy lawn. Healthy lawns choke out moss and other weeds naturally.

Moisture
Avoiding overwatering or watering at night deprives moss of the moisture it needs to thrive.

Helpful Tip
Physically removing moss with a hand tool in areas where growth is thick kills moss quickly. Sprinkling baking soda or a solution of 1 ounce of lemon dish soap in 1 quart of water kills moss and makes removal easier.

A common concern all homeowners have, why is my lawn turning brown? Is my lawn dying? The answer is no. Your lawn is actually sleeping also known as dormant. This process of protection normally occurs in the winter, but can also occur in the summer. Should you be concerned about your sleeping lawn? This question can be answered two ways; No and Yes.

The reason for NO is because the lawn is not dead. Once treated properly you will be able to revive your lawn. The reason for YES is because; when a lawn goes dormant it is due to LACK OF WATER. In which, lack of water is never a good thing whether or not it’s been a harsh summer with extreme degrees of heat or the homeowner has just not been watering enough.

If you want to help conserve water or just don’t have time to water your lawn regularly, letting your grass go dormant during the hottest months of the year can help. A dormant, or “sleeping,” lawn will turn brown, but with proper care the underground crown of the grass plant will survive. In fact, once the grass receives ample water again (either from natural precipitation or from a sprinkler), it will begin to green up and grow new leaves.

First signs of drought edges and hot spots: 
Improper watering ledge, rock areas, septic tank covered with soil cause drought stress.

New Plantings causing other hot spots:
Notice the V Shape -New Shrub or any type of obstruction can be a part of the Cause

Common watering problems:
Sprinkler head sunk down into the soil over winter will form brown “C” shape patterns along the edges and form large circular patterns in the middle of the lawn.

A Common concern all homeowners have, why is my lawn turning brown? It my law dead? The answer is no. Your lawn is sleeping also known as dormant. This process of protection normally occurs in the winter, but can also occur in the summer.

Over watering your lawn causes more damage than lack of water. That is because most turf grasses can handle dry spells but not flooding. Most grasses require 1-1.5 inches of water per week. This is enough water to moisten the soil to 4-6 inches below the surface for clay soils and 8/10 inches for sandy soils.

Do not guess at how much water your lawn is getting. For measuring Mother Nature’s contribution, invest in a rain gauge. If at the end of the week she has contributed enough, hold off adding more water. If she comes up short, you will want to add some supplemental watering. If you have an irrigation system, measure how much water the sprinkler is putting down.

So, generally, you want your lawn to get about an inch of water per week. But remember certain times of the year and certain conditions can change that Rule of thumb. You must follow local regulations when there are watering bans, but just remember grass is a very resilient plant and less water is acceptable. When the rains do return, your lawn will come back with a little encouragement on your part. If you do not have an irrigation system, invest in timers and place on your faucets. This method will help you a ton.

Therefore, watering early morning gives the grass time to dry, elimination a chance for fungus. Not enough watering will stress the lawn; prolonged drought weakens the root system and invites lawn diseases like necrotic ring. You will see brown patches and mistake it for grub damage. Refer to websites on grass diseases.

If you want to help conserve water or just don’t have time to water your lawn regularly, letting your grass go dormant during the hottest months of the year can help. A dormant, or “sleeping”, lawn will turn brown, but with proper care the underground crown of the grass plant will survive. In fact, once the grass receives ample water again (either from natural precipitation or from a sprinkler), it will begin to green up and grow new leaves.

Sutherlands Organic Solutions
When Is the Best Time to Mow Your Lawn?

(Bad) Early Morning 6:00am – 8:00am: Is not the best time of day to mow. Grass can be wet due to the early morning dew and cause clogging in your mower. Also, if your turf is too wet, your mower can leave tracks on your lawn.
(Best) Mid-Morning 8:00am- 10:00am: Ideal time of day to mow your lawn. Waiting till mid-morning allows for the morning dew and irrigation to dry. Its best to mow the lawn before the heat of the day sets in.

(Ok) Mid-Day 2:00pm- 4:00pm: Its ok to mow your lawn in the middle of the day, however, it’s not ideal. It’s going to be hot, so the work is harder on you. (Drink lots of water). Also, the heat combined with your lawn being shorn can cause turf stress.

(2nd Best) Late Afternoon 4:00pm-6:00pm: This is the second-best time of day to mow your lawn. Late afternoon temperatures will be cooler causing less stress for your lawn. Your lawn will still have a few hours to recover before nightfall; which is essential for proper cutting.
(Bad) Early Evening 6:00pm – 8:00pm: This is not an ideal time. Your lawn needs time to recover before nightfall. During nighttime hours is when your lawn is most prone to damage caused by fungus and turf diseases. Believe it or Not! Yes, your lawn can get sick too.

Grass knows two things; it knows to grow and protect itself. When you are mowing the lawn, the grass will automatically go into shock and begin to protect itself. When you are done mowing turn on your hose or sprinkler system and water for a few minutes. This will help the grass from going into shock. In human terms, it’s like getting a slap in the face, “Snap out of It” 😊