The Green View

…Water It Properly Too!

Your human body is composed of over 70% water, and a healthy grass plant contains even more water—from 75 to 85 % of its weight! In many climates, high sunlight, temperature, wind and humidity can rob your grass of most of this precious life-sustaining liquid. Without water, new seeds can’t germinate and new grasses can’t absorb their required nutrients. And worse, your grass can wilt, become susceptible to disease and eventually die of thirst. Don’t let this happen to your new or established lawn!

Depending on the rainfall in your area, (and this is easy to measure by placing an empty can outdoors, marked at one inch) you may have to water weekly. However, it is just as easy to over-water your turf as it is to under-water it. An inch per week is a general guideline for most grass types. You’ll know if you have over-watered because your lawn will grow too rapidly, you may see evidence of fungal diseases, and you’ll be mowing more frequently. Over-watering wastes water anyway, and is usually prohibited in drought-prone areas.

Under-watering will result in your lawn going dormant. Your turf will lose its deep green luster and some  grasses could die and you will need to re-seed in fall. Your lawn will signal thirst by becoming a purple-bluish color and it will be easily crushed underfoot. For the southern-most states, warm-season grasses can better withstand most drought conditions.

Some additional watering tips…

• Water deep and infrequently for a healthier root system and fewer weeds.
• Water early in the day (5:00 to 10:00 a.m.) to avoid evaporation.
• Plant drought-tolerant grass—especially in dryer areas of the country.
• For cool-season lawns, apply Greenview Fairway Formula Fall Fertilizer 29-2-10 in the late summer or early fall for better root growth and drought tolerance.
• For a newly sodded or seeded lawn, water more frequently for the first month until your lawn is well-established.
• Aerate to loosen compacted soil and allow water to get to the roots.

For those of you who prefer to water with in-ground sprinkler systems, careful planning, design and installation will ensure an efficient irrigation system. Test for uniform water distribution of your sprinkler heads and adequate overlap to diagnose and prevent either dry or saturated areas that can lead to an unhealthy turf. Testing will also help you figure out how long and how often to run your sprinklers to deliver the right amount of water to your lawn. And lastly, monitor any run-off, and be aware of local regulations to keep your environment clean as a good neighbor should.

Content courtesy of Ohio State University Extension. Images courtesy of Quick and Simple, Virginia Cooperative Extension and My Vine.

Submitted by J. Weinmann

Watering Quick Tips

Watering is extremely important for maintaining a healthy lawn.  Watering helps cool the grass plant, create food, help seeds germinate, and keeps your lawn looking green and healthy.  Prolonged periods without watering the grass do not allow it to cool off which causes it to become more susceptible to diseases, browning, and dormancy during the summer months.  The conditions in which grass plants lose the most water are during humidity, high temperatures, high light intensity, and strong winds.

To prevent browning, dormancy, and to keep your lawn healthy and beautiful water deeply but infrequently.  This encourages deep root systems for strong and healthy grass.  Shallow watering can cause the grass to root closer to the surface in the thatch and make it weak.

Timing for watering is best in the early morning hours where the temperature is low to prevent evaporation and winds are light.

Basic Watering Techniques

There are numerous options for applying water to lawns and garden plants, each with its own specific use.

The Virginia Cooperative Extension service recommends the following:

• A garden hose with a fan nozzle or spray attachment is valuable for watering newly emerging seed, young transplants, or other plants that need frequent, shallow waterings. Deep penetrating waterings are nearly impossible to achieve with a hand-held hose.



• A portable lawn sprinkler provides slow overhead watering and a wonderful place for kids to play in the hot summer. Unfortunately, much of the water from a sprinkler is lost to evaporation or runoff as it lands on a driveway or street. It is important to select a sprinkler that most nearly fits the size and shape of the area you wish to water.



• A drip or trickle irrigation system is similar to a soaker hose but is installed for long-term use in one location. Many simple systems are available that are permanently installed and last three to five years before replacement.

New Lawn Care Website, The Grass Guide

It's so much fun to search the internet not only for helpful lawn care information, but lawn care websites as well. I found one today, The Grass Guide, that has loads of info covering pretty much all aspects of lawn maintenance.

The list is outlined in the left-hand column, so information is easy to find. The articles I perused were quite helpful too, in my estimation. Check it out and see what you think.

While you're at it, don't forget Greenview Online. It has a lot of helpful tips as well.

Time of Day to Water Lawn

What time of day should I water my lawn?

If you have a timer and a sprinkler system, you should set you timer for 4:30 a.m. At this time in the early morning you will have the least amount of evaperation. Depending on where you live, you should set your timer from 15-20 minutes. You should also water every 2 to 3 days.

If you don't have a sprinkler, then you'll have to get up early and do it, because morning is the best time.

Click here for more lawn care tips.

Lawn Care Funny

A little lawn care humor courtesy of ProGardenBiz.com

Soil Type and Water Absorption

The Lawn Institute brings us an article and chart about soil types and water absorption.

"Water soaks in at different speeds, depending on the composition of your soil type. If you know your basic soil type, use the following table as a general guide to watering. (Soil test kits and instructions are usually available at lawn and garden centers, and at better hardware stores. Soil test services and information are often available through your local County Extension office).

Soil Type Sand Sandy Loam Loam Silt Loam Clay Loam Clay

Infiltration Inch Per Hour 2.0 inches 1.0 inches 0.5 inches 0.4 inches 0.3 inches 0.2 inches

Time For 1 Inch To Soak In 0.5 hours 1.0 hours 2.0 hours 2.25 hours 3.3 hours 5.0 hours

There are two techniques that will help water absorb into the clay soils more effectively. The first is through the use of a core aerifier. The aerifier is rolled over a lawn, where it inserts metal tines into the soil and removes small cores of grass and soil. The small holes left behind make it easy for water to move down into the soil. They also give grass roots room to grow. An aerifier can be rented for a nominal fee at most equipment rental outlets.

The second technique is to use a chemical called a surfactant, or wetting agent, which reduces the tension surface of the water. This "wetter" water will run more freely into the soil. Apply the surfactant at the manufacturer's recommended rate. Both of these techniques can be used at the same time. They can be very effective on sloping terrain where run-off is a problem."

Checking Your Water Rate

The Lawn Institute gives us great article; how to check water absorption.

"No matter what kind of irrigation system or method you use, check and adjust it to the soil's absorption rate. A good rule of thumb is to apply water at a rate equal to or slightly less than the soil ability to absorb it. Most irrigation systems apply water faster than necessary, which wastes water through run-off. Also, don't forget to check if the system is applying water uniformly!

The best way to check both of these functions is to set out a series of straight-side, flat-bottom cans for an in-ground system or a few cans for a movable sprinkler system. Run the watering system for 30 minutes and measure the amount of water collected. You can determine the length of time needed to apply one inch of water with a little simple math. If you know the soil type, check the chart above to figure how long the system needs to run in order to soak the lawn to a desired depth of 4 to 6 inches. Remember to stop the watering for an interval if you see run-off occurring.

Hilly or sloping areas may require a soaker hose to reduce run-off and allow better penetration into the soil. Soakers apply water slowly over a small area. Water is a valuable resource and should be used as efficiently as possible, both in your home and on your landscape. Remember that "plants don't waste water, people do!"

Mother's Day - The Perfect Gift!

You may think I am crazy, but what would be a perfect gift for Mother's Day other than something that could be enjoyed all year long? A PERFECT LAWN !!!!

Now think about it, every time she walks outside, the grass is thick and green with no weeds or crabgrass. This is the gift that keeps on giving! Does she more jewelry? How long will flowers last? (Mothers expect flowers. So flowers are still a good idea - lol.) But seriously, this is a gift that will last year round!

Now I would not recommend wrapping this gift up. Give her a card with a note...I will let you write that!

Order online today and have Greenview Fertilizer delivered to your door or use the store locator to find a dealer near you!

Mowing & Watering

QUESTION/COMMENT:  Thanks for the quick response!  I'm excited to use your product. I plan to apply your product after the third mowing as suggested by your website.  Or, is it okay to apply now?  Should I water the grass right after the application?  Also, can I purchase PerkUp at my local retailer?  Thanks for all your help. I'm always challenging my neighbors for the best lawn!  I'm looking forward to seeing my lawn progress with your product.

ANSWER: Apply the Fairway Formula Spring weed control with crabgrass control on a WET lawn - NO RAIN OR WATER after application. This way the weed control sticks to the broadleaf weed. Apply end April thru mid May when ALL dandelions are in bloom, (and if you don't have dandelions, checkout lawns in and around your neighborhood - the seeds probably blew into your yard last year and will probably do so again this year). The store you purchased the Greenview Fairway Formula Fertilizer can get PerkUp. However, if they don't already have it, just let them know you're willing to buy it. I'm sure they'll order it for you. If not get back to me and I will find a dealer for you who has it in stock.  Keep challenging your neighbors!