Lawn vs. Natural Habitat
January 19, 2021
Having a beautiful, healthy lawn at your island home is achievable with a little planning and seasonal maintenance.
Early Spring
Early in the spring, February and March, is a good time to apply spot treatments of post-emergence herbicides. With dormant turf, you’ll be able to see pop-up weeds and can treat them with ease. When selecting your treatment product, be sure and check the label for your particular grass to avoid damaging your lawn.
Once your lawn begins to green, you’ll want to consider liming your grass. This can be done every couple of years. With the sandy, acidic soil (low pH) found on Fripp, your lawn will have relatively poor retention of water and plant nutrients. It is important to support the composition with an additive. The best way to determine if your soil needs lime is to have your soil tested*. Otherwise use about 15 to 20 lbs. of lime per 100 square feet of lawn.
*The Clemson Extension Service will do a complete workup and provide remedies for a small fee. (Post-COVID: you can drop your sample(s) off at the extension service office at 18 John Galt Road in Beaufort. Or stop by the Master Gardener table at the Port Royal Farmer’s Market to pick up a soil bag/directions. Both are currently unavailable due to COVID-19 restrictions.)
Spring
As the season moves into true spring, April and May, it’s time to start mowing warm season grass such as Bermuda, St. Augustine and Centipede. Don’t cut too short; it should look mowed, but you shouldn’t see spots of soil.
This is also the time of year you’ll want to fertilize regularly. Certain varieties such as Bermuda and Zoysia like high-nitrogen-based fertilizers. Be sure and follow the application directions provided on your product label.
Summer
And here we are to summer. Mowing more often in the dry months of summer, June, July and August, will enable you to keep the grass taller, at least 3”, to allow the roots to remain strong and keep your grass looking healthier. You may need to raise the cutting height of your lawnmower 1-1.5”. Taller grass will shade the soil and help prevent evaporation and reduce weeds.
Fall
Late Fall/Early Winter
Here on the island, temperatures begin to become milder in October, averaging highs in the mid-70s. By November the temperatures average in the 60s and growth begins to slow. During this time, you may want to consider overseeding your lawn. Overseeding is spreading grass seed over an existing lawn. Good choices for grass seed here on Fripp Island include bermudagrass, St. Augustine, centipedegrass, and Zoysia. Look for varieties at your local garden centers or online at Outsidepride.com.
Spreading your lawn-care maintenance tasks throughout the year will ensure a lawn that is beautiful and healthy. Be sure to check out the great infographic from Wikilawn on maintaining an enviable lawn throughout the year.
