Memorial Weekend Sale 50% Off 6-Pack Annuals & More.
Hello, again!
Things change when it gets to the unofficial start of summer - Memorial Day. My time outdoors increases, grilling on the patio and enjoying time around the chiminea in the evenings. We plan on getting the teardrop camper out more this year also!
I always look forward to being outside, working in the garden, probably wearing my bike shorts, a short-sleeve shirt and floppy hat to keep the sun off. I love it when it’s time to wear my summer gear, and I'm glad for perspiration to keep myself cooled off. It’s time to work on my ‘farmer’s tan’ or ‘cyclist tan’. You know, the tan lines just above the knee where the Lycra or cargo shorts hit, and in the middle of the upper arm where the T-shirt hits.
Most of our plants kick into gear in the summer months also. Our summer-blooming shrubs love the long, warm days. Crape Myrtles start their all-summer show of color. Our annuals and perennials that were planted in the spring are now established and continuing their blooming cycles. Some of our fruiting plants are starting to yield wonderful produce and fruits to be enjoyed as well.
Although our cool-season turf (Fescue) takes a break during the hot summer months, our warm-season turf varieties such as Bermuda, Zoysia and Buffalo lawns love the warm summer months, and it’s their time to shine. Unlike cool-season turf varieties that we wait to fertilize as they recover in the fall months, summer is when warm-season lawns benefit from monthly feedings. Fertilization timing is important for healthy growth. All lawns do best at controlling weeds naturally when they have a full, thick turf without spaces for weeds to get established in. Warm-season lawns are no different.
Now is a good time to establish a warm-season lawn if you’re wanting to go that direction. As in the fall when we establish cool-season lawns, eliminating what is presently in the area where we are wanting to establish the new turf is important. Other grass species and weeds all can be eliminated now for seeding Bermuda and Buffalo grass in a couple of weeks. With the warmer weather, the grass establishment is fast. Use Hi-Yield Killzall before seeding. Killzall Ultra formula with surfactant dries on fast, and it’s rainfast in as little as two hours. Because Killzall is a non-selective weed control, it's important to keep it off desirable plants, grasses, and vegetation.
Here are options we have for Bermuda and Buffalo grass seed that are suitable as turf for Kansas:
Sundancer Buffalograss is arguably the most advanced turf-type Buffalograss available. Sundancer is a new variety that fills the demand for a warm-season turf with accelerated establishment and superior turf from seed. It is widely adapted and has proven itself as a premium turf type, suited to a variety of diverse environments. It is highly sought after for residential lawns or anywhere an attractive, low-maintenance turf is required. We planted Sundancer last summer at one of our locations, and I was impressed how early it greened up this spring.
Gold Strike Bermudagrass Blend is a premium-quality, homeowner-grade seed designed for lush, durable, and resilient turf. Engineered for fast establishment, deep green color, and exceptional wear tolerance, this elite blend is perfect for residential lawns. With quick germination, thriving in hot, dry climates, it is a great choice for our region.
Fertilizers for warm-season lawns are really no different than those we apply to cool-season lawns; just the timing for application is different. While ferti-lome’s Greenmaker is applied for the final summer application now on cool-season turf, this specially formulated, high sulfur and iron product is ideally applied monthly on warm-season lawns during the summer. With 1 lb. of actual nitrogen applied with each feeding, your warm-season lawn will continue to perform its best all summer long.
I bet you’ll thank yourself once your drought tolerant, low-maintenance warm-season lawn is established. If you have questions about establishing a warm-season lawn, stop by soon. We’re here to help!
Your friend in the garden,
Marty Johnson
Owner - Johnson's Garden Centers
