Turf requires sunlight, soil, water, and nutrients to facilitate healthy growth and development. We have little or no control over the amount of sunlight, however, we can aid and control the soil conditions and nutrients your turf receives. This page contains helpful information about when, and how much, additional water should be applied for healthy turf, trees and shrubs. It is updated weekly with our best recommendations for supplementing the watering provided by nature. This week we’re providing additional suggestions to aid our customers who choose to maintain one or more phases of their turf environment. Please feel free to contact us should you have any questions or need our assistance.

Aeration
Lawn aeration removes cores of soil and thatch from your lawn, making it easier for air, water, and fertilizer to reach your turf’s root zone. This stimulates root growth to create healthier, stronger turf grass plants. In spring, aerate between March and May. It’s best to aerate before you apply pre-emergence herbicides, rather than after. Aerating after an herbicide application can reduce the chemical barrier formed by the herbicide, allowing weeds to germinate. We use a Ryan Lawnaire 28 which offers up to 12 cores per square foot (most rental units deliver nine cores). If you chose to do-it-yourself [which means, finding it, renting it (usually a two hour minimum requirement), picking it up, DOING IT, cleaning it up, and returning it] on your time off your cost is typically $50.00 (not including the cost of your effort). For a little more money we can do it for you. Contact us for a free estimate. If you do elect to do-it-yourself, water the turf ½”, wait eight hours and water another ½” the day before you rent the equipment. This will aid in a deeper core penetration of the soil. In addition, we strongly recommend you call 1-800-DIG-SAFE in Kansas, or 1-800-DIG-RITE in Missouri, for the location of all utility lines (at no expense to you) to avoid damage.

Fertilization - Turf
We will begin our application of fertilizer with pre-emergence herbicides the week of March 10th (weather permitting) due to the mild winter conditions we have encountered. The second application of fertilizer with pre-emergence herbicide will be applied in late April to control late spring broadleaf weeds.

• Spring Clean Up - Spruce up the flower beds by adding a new layer of mulch and adding seasonal flowers. Remove all debris, leaves, and dead limbs. Also trim shrubs to desired height and shape.
• Trees - With the spring there is a plethora of insects and diseases ready to invade and damage your hardwood trees and conifers. Often, by the time you notice the problem they have caused, it is too late for effective treatment. Weak trees due to lack of moisture and nutrients are most susceptible. At the very least begin watering trees as soon as possible due to the drought conditions we have encountered. JEM Manicured Lawn Services, Inc. is certified by the State of Kansas to chemically treat not only your turf but your trees as well. Contact us for more information and a free estimate.

Watering
Beginning March 16, 2003 we will start posting weekly watering recommendations for the following week. In the interim, do to the severe lack of moisture, we recommend you water as weather permits. During this period, do not water after 2:00 P.M. to allow the blades to dry completely in case temperatures fall below 32 degrees that night. Also, do not walk on the grass in the morning if frost is present to avoid damaging the turf. Soak your trees if you have not been watering this winter, especially the conifers, pines, spruce, junipers, etc.

In the spring, do not water in the late afternoon because we want the blades of turf to be as dry as possible in the evening and night. Wet grass blades and crowns during night hours promote fungus and bacteria growth. Water early in the morning if possible. Turf should receive 1” of water per week through rain fall or supplemental watering. When you water, apply ½” of water then follow with ½” of water the next day to help drive the roots deeper.