Stormwater Public Service Announcement #2 - Fall Lawn Care

Stormwater Public Service Announcement #2 -

Fall Lawn Care for a Healthy Environment

Early September is the best time to renovate a damaged lawn. First, control the broadleaf weeds by hand-pulling or treating them with a broadleaf herbicide or weed-and-feed product. Then wait at least two to three weeks to rake the dead weeds away and reseed.

Many lawns are also peppered with crabgrass which will die this fall, leaving hundreds of seeds behind to sprout next spring. The best way to avoid another crop of crabgrass next year is to fill in those areas with grass seed now so that there are no bare patches next spring; crabgrass tends to sprout in thin or bare areas.

To kill the crabgrass now, dig or pull individual plants out by hand. Larger patches may be killed by spraying with the herbicide glyphosate (often sold as Roundup or Kleenup) use caution, as it will kill desirable grass around it, too.

Never apply pesticides or fertilizers to lawns that are drought-stressed; they can further burn the grass. If the lawn is looking gray or brown, water it at least two days prior to applying any chemicals.

If thatch - that compressed layer of organic matter on top of the soil - measures more than ¾ inch thick, consider dethatching with a rake or rented dethatching machine before reseeding.

Most lawns will benefit from an application of fertilizer in early September. Apply a slow-release fertilizer that offers “long lasting feeding” or consider using a weed-feed type of product if your goal is to also eliminate the broadleaf weeds.

PROTECT OUR WATERS

When applying fertilizers, herbicides and other pesticides, use extra precautions to keep these chemicals out of our water supply. Granules that land on the sidewalk, driveway or street can wash down the storm drains along the curb in your neighborhood. Any granules that land on the pavement should be swept back onto the lawn.

Those storm drains go directly to streams and ponds - they are not treated or filtered on the way. These chemicals can cause algae populations to explode in ponds, and kill off fish and other aquatic wildlife in ponds and along stream edges. If all 80,000 + homes in Rockland County mistakenly allowed just one-quarter pound of granules to wash down the streets into the storm drains, we would be adding 10 tons of unwanted pesticides and fertilizers to our water sources.

If you're planning to buy or replace your fertilizer spreader, purchase the drop-type rather than a rotary spreader that shoots granules up to 10 feet in all directions onto pavements.

For more information about fall lawn and yard care, attend any one of the free classes being offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rockland County.