9 tips to save or protect your lawn from the 2021 drought

 The spring of 2021 will go down in history as the driest spring season on record for most of the Northern Illinois and Southeast Wisconsin counites.  As of mid-June, our local service area has only received about 2.5 inches of precipitation since March resulting in a severe drought distinction for the area.  We usually average around 9 inches of rain during this time for most of our service area.  In a typical year, our area turns dry, and lawns start suffering drought and heat stress in Mid-June, however this has already been happening since early May.  

Lawn on left suffering from drought stress 2021

Watering is already needed for most lawns, and some have already gone dormant.  With summer yet to start and another 90 days of typical dry and high soil temperatures, many lawns will be on the verge of serious damage this summer.  Here are some ways that you can save or limit the damage to your lawn this summer:

Large droplet sprinkler

1. Begin watering regularly.  Morning hours are the most ideal, however any moisture is better than ideal moisture in a drought.  Avoid watering mid-day due to higher evaporation rates and loss.

2.  Water to get 1 to 2 inches of precipitation per week.  1-2 inches to prevent dormancy and keep lawn from browning, 2-3 inches to revive a lawn if already dormant.  

3. To get the 1-2 inches, water deeply for 30 to 60 minutes per area, twice a week.  This time may need to be adjusted to generate a half inch to 1 inch per run time.  Place a flat and wide pan or cup to measure how long it takes to accumlate for your specific sprinkler and water pressure.  

4. For the grass, use a sprinkler that produces a larger, heavier droplet, not a misting or fine droplet sprinkler.  Misting sprinklers evaporate faster and only wet the leaf tissue.  The goal is to get the soil wet from root absorption.  

5.   Only mow if the lawn is over 4 inches tall.  When mowing, don't mow to less than 3 inches.  Keeping the lawn long will help retain more moisture and keep the lawn green.

6. Make sure mowing blades are sharp and only mow dry grass.  Water as soon as possible after mowing to prevent stressing the lawn any further. 

7. Minimize use of the lawn unless mowing or watering to prevent compaction.  If using the lawn, water after traffic use.  

8. Use only slow-release fertilizers and minimize Nitrogen rates during high heat and dry conditions. 

9. Consider Hydra-Guard from Lawn Doctor.  This service applies a hygroscopic and humectant compound that absorbs and retains more moisture from soil and air vapor, typically not available for the grass to absorb.

Lawn with Hydra-guard on left, nothing applied to lawn on right.

More Hydra-guard pictures.  Lawn on right treated with Hydra-guard in May.

                              

Contact Lawn Doctor for any additional concerns for your lawn during the 2021 drought or for additional watering and mowing tips to keep your lawn green and healthy this summer.

Looking for a better lawn this year or help controlling mosquitoes?

Please share or follow us on Facebook for more helpful lawn care updates.

Contact us today at:  847-395-0940 or at: group593@lawndoctor.com

www.lawndoctorantioch-waukegan.com  

Or Find us on Facebook

What damage will all this snow cause to my lawn in Spring?

                                                                                  gray snow mold on lawn

Every winter causes some extent of snow cover to the lawns in the local Antioch, Illinois area.  Snow cover generally melts away after a week or two allowing oxygen and some sunlight to return to the lawn before the next storm throughout winter.  However, this winter we have had an extended snow cover that is setting up for some potentially damaging effects to the lawn come Spring when the snow will eventually melt.  

Snow cover can be a positive for lawns as it helps insulate grass from exposure to sub-freezing temperatures and wind which can lead to desiccation and severe root damage.   It can also be very beneficial in eliminating damaging insect populations in the lawn as spring nears.  

So why is snow cover damaging?  Here are some negative effects of the extended snow cover we have seen this winter.

Heavy piling up of snow from shoveling leads to massive compression and snow piles that take a long time to melt, extending the cover even longer.  

Snow is heavy and can compress the grass damaging crowns and roots and preventing spring growth.  Compressed soil also acts as a barrier for root development and limits the lawn's ability to generate new growth in spring, leading to more room for weed development in highly compacted areas.  

                                         snow compacted lawn causing leaf tissue damage and snow mold development
 

Snow molds are also a result of extended snow cover and can ruin a lawn come spring as the snow melts away.  There are two types of fungi that trigger snow mold and are present in virtually all soil types, but the damage they cause is slightly different.

• Gray snow mold, (Typhulia incanata) identified by dead patches of grass and a whitish appearance, can be seen as the snow melts away form the heavier piles of snow.  The taller piles take longer to melt than some of the surrounding snow, leaving the grass below soggy and wet, promoting mold growth.  The patches of gray snow mold are irregularly shaped and are usually a couple of inches in diameter.  Gray snow mold can kill the roots of the grass when severe but in most cases it only kills the leaf blades on the surface.  New leaf tissue and the roots of the affected grass will often regrow as the weather warms.   

• Pink snow mold (Microdochium nivale) kills not just blades of grass but also its roots, resulting in circular dead patches with pinkish or rust-colored borders. Pink snow mold can begin to grow any time the grass is cold and wet (around 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or lower), either during a long, wet spring or an especially wet fall. When pink snow mold starts to grow in the fall, it can thrive all winter under a layer of snow, resulting in widespread damage to the grass. Patches caused by pink snow mold are typically less than 12 inches in diameter, but numerous patches may appear across the lawn. The grass will not regrow in patches caused by pink snow mold.

Some factors to look for next fall that may trigger or increase chances of snow mold development include;

• When an early snow occurs, it melts quickly because the before the ground is still relatively warm. This traps moisture at the soil’s surface, keeping grass soggy and cold and creating the perfect environment for snow mold to start growing.

• Dry fallen leaves on the ground create a soggy blanket of organic matter as they begin to decompose. This allows snow mold fungi to get a foothold.

• Like fallen leaves, grass left long in fall provides a blanket of organic matter on the surface of the soil, keeping it soggy and creating a breeding ground where fungi can thrive.

• Low areas in the lawn that hold water are prime locations for snow mold. Constant wetness is one of the ingredients snow molds need to develop.

• High Nitrogen fast-release fertilizers in late fall spurs grass growth, but if applied in the six weeks before a heavy snow or freeze, grass may still be green when it should be dormant. When green grass freezes or is blanketed with snow, the blades become soft and mushy, increasing the risk of mold development.

Lawn Doctor has been identifying and repairing lawns for nearly 20 years from the devastating effect of snow molds and winter damage.  Here are Lawn Doctor's recommendations for restoring a lawn damaged from snow mold and soil compaction form heavy snow cover.

• Once the temperatures are consistently above 55 degrees Fahrenheit, rake away dead grass from the patches.
• 
  
• Aerate if possible areas of compacted soil to soften the ground for spring growth

• Power seed the areas with new disease- resistant grass blends

• Apply a soil enrichment product at this time is also recommended—the new grass and damaged lawn will need plenty of micro-nutrients to develop new growth in spring.

                                                                                 Newly power-seeded lawn

If you would like to learn more about repairing your lawn in spring form winter damage or get an estimate to power seed, aeration and soil enrichment contact us by phone or online and get your lawn green, thick and weed-free starting this spring.

Please share or follow us on Facebook for more helpful lawn care updates.

Contact us today at:  847-395-0940 or at: group593@lawndoctor.com

www.lawndoctor.com/antioch-il/  

Or Find us on Facebook

Lawn diseases have been very active this summer

Lawn diseases have been very active this summer

 Lawn diseases are an annual threat and a frustrating problem to many lawns across the Northern Illinois area during the summer months.  With over twenty years of experience in analyzing lawns in the local area, we have seen the most widespread disease damage to leaf tissue in lawns this summer compared to past seasons.  Record-setting May rains have led to significantly large amounts of summer lawn disease development.  While a lot of lawns go dormant during the months of July and August as the leaf tissue shuts down to protect the grass roots, a dormant lawn does generally not show the damaging effects of lawn disease as the turf is already brown so the damage is disguised as simply a brown lawn.    

Lawn in summer beginning to show some disease areas (circles)

We get a lot of questions regarding brown spots in the lawn every season, most of which is heat and moisture related, however this season diseases like summer patch, red thread and rust have spread very aggressively.  Fertilized and watered lawns show the most significant damage as the non-affected areas stay green while the disease damaged areas become very contrast in brown spotting.  Most lawn diseases like red thread, dollar spot and rust only affect the leaf tissue and do not cause long-term damage to the grass once cooler temperatures return in early Fall and adequate moisture is applied.    There are a few patch and Pythium lawn diseases that can cause long term damage to a lawn if left unrepaired but are very less common.  

                                           

                                              Some red thread and diseased spots mid-summer

So how can we repair, fix or cure lawns damaged by lawn diseases?  Fungicides can be applied to help prevent or stop the spread of a disease in the lawn once it is identified.  These applications are generally not performed unless requested at the initial onset of the disease in early summer or if we know a lawn has a history of lawn diseases every summer.  Fungicide applications are not included in most lawn programs as with any disease, over-use of fungicides can lead to diseases becoming resilient to general-use fungicides.  Therefore, most applications are performed sparingly once the disease has been diagnosed.  At this point leaf tissue has already been damaged and only cooler temperatures of fall will encourage new leaf tissue development.  

In severe cases of lawn disease damage, power-seeding is highly recommended to help repair the lawn.  Not only does power-seeding these areas fix the damage quickly, it also replaces the weaker grasses (usually fine fescues and ryegrasses) that were affected by the turf disease with newer and  more disease and heat-resistant varieties of cool-season grasses like turf-type fescues and bluegrasses.  Early Fall is the best time of the year to repair summer damaged lawns with beneficial growing services like aerating, power-seeding and soil enrichment to improve the lawn and prepare it for winter and the following growing season.  

 For more watering and mowing suggestions please visit us online or feel free to contact us at Lawn Doctor of Antioch-Waukegan

Looking for a better lawn this year or help controlling mosquitoes?

Please share or follow us on Facebook for more helpful lawn care updates.

Contact us today at:  847-395-0940 or at: group593@lawndoctor.com

www.lawndoctorantioch-waukegan.com  

Or Find us on Facebook

Why is my lawn turning brown so quickly this summer?

Summer Heat Stress is hitting lawns across the Northern Illinois hard this week. 

Summer months bring warm temperatures and sometimes periods of dry weather to the lawns of Northern Illinois.  Grass lawns across Antioch-Gurnee-Waukegan and Lake Forest enter survival mode to withstand the stress associated with this time of year.  Even after a great spring of cool temperatures and excess rain made lawns green and grow fast, they are quickly turning to mid-summer appearance of splotchy brown and dormant patches in just a few short hot days this summer.  Proper mowing height and watering practices are two of the most important things to do properly as summer begins.

With the forecast of multiple 90 degree days ahead and no significant rain in well over a week, begin watering now to prevent or assist with heat stress on the lawn.   A bluegrass-based lawn needs about 1-2 inches of irrigation per week to keep adequate moisture levels and to prevent the full onset of browning and dormancy.   Although this amount of irrigation is adequate for moisture needs it doesn't always keep a lawn from going dormant, but it does give it the best chance to maintain some green during heat stress.  Soil temperatures will cause the stress and irrigation will help but not eliminate this on hot sunny days.

  

Remember we have cool season grasses that thrive between 60 and 80 degree soil temperatures and 1-2 inches of irrigation weekly.  Right now we are seeing soil temps in the 130’s in sunny areas and no rain at all.   Shade areas stay green as they are only as warm as air temperatures in the upper 80's. 

Monitor current lawn conditions as they are changing drastically right now due to the high heat and dry conditions.  Lawns become stressed when we get temps above 85 and full sunny days.  A beautiful green lawn can turn brown quickly in conditions that we are currently experiencing.  It is not necessarily a bad thing as the plant is extracting moisture from the leaf tissue to protect the crown and roots.  Grass goes into dormancy to protect itself and will return to normal when conditions reverse for a few days.  Right now conditions are extreme as the temperatures are too high and rain has been absent.  This combination causes many challenges to maintaining grass in late July and August.  We often refer to this time frame as the “danger zone” as our experiences have always taught us that this time of year is when heat stress occurs.  After August 20 lawn return to lower soil temps as the intensity of sunlight is diminished to the lowering angle of the sun.

Some lawns are greener than others even though they are under similar conditions, but there are reasons why.  Lawns are made up of several different grass types and some are more reactive to higher temperatures than others.  Fescue grasses stay greener longer into heat and drought stress compared to bluegrass.  Bluegrass is probably the most sensitive to higher temps as the leaf blades actually fold up like a sail making it look much thinner and weaker compared to other grasses.   Lawns are also made up of different consistencies of clay, gravel sand, etc.  The more clay the soil has, the more it radiates the heat back into the grass unlike thick layers of rich topsoil.  This is the biggest cause of “spots” as areas of the lawn contain various amounts of clay, sand etc. underneath causing some of the spots.

Along with watering regularly during hot and dry summer months the lawn should also be mowed properly.  Less frequent and at a taller height will keep activity on the grass to a minimum and allow for full shading of the soil below with longer leaf tissue.  Also be sure that when you do mow the lawn, never remove more than a third of the leaf tissue height or else additional stress and moisture removal will be unnecessarily added to the lawn that is already stressed out.  Keep in mind, lawns will return to their beautiful green and thick appearance as soon as cooler and rain returns to the forecast, usually in late August. 

For more watering and mowing suggestions please visit us online or feel free to contact us at Lawn Doctor of Antioch-Waukegan

Looking for a better lawn this year or help controlling mosquitoes?

Please share or follow us on Facebook for more helpful lawn care updates.

Contact us today at:  847-395-0940 or at: group593@lawndoctor.com

www.lawndoctorantioch-waukegan.com  

Or Find us on Facebook

How much does lawn care cost for my property?

The phone begins ringing in Spring as little yellow flowers emerge from the lawn, with one question, "How much does lawn care cost for my property?".

Well the answer depends on a lot of various factors like the size of the lawn, the problems present in the lawn and how well do you want to maintain the appearance of the lawn.  These are all questions we ask at Lawn Doctor in determining the scheduling and pricing for customers calling to get lawn care quotes in Spring.  Lawn care defined as fertilization and weed and pest control for the lawn is generally about twenty to thirty percent of the total annual landscaping cost for residential properties in the Antioch, IL and surrounding area.   Mowing, trimming and general landscape maintenance makes up the majority of annual costs as these require weekly visits and manual removal of clippings and trimmings from the property. 

So "How much does lawn care cost for most average size lawns"?  Again the answer is determined by exact square footage or shape of the property, but a one quarter acre lot averages about eight thousand square feet of serviceable lawn area.  This generally costs about $65 per application for lawn services.  At Lawn Doctor, we sell service program packages designed to fertilize the lawn making it healthy and green with organic-based fertilizers and weed- controls.  We create a service plan for your property based on over 16 years of local experience in treating lawns.  The plans consist of various fertilizers as each season requires different nutrients for cool-season turf grass and unique herbicides for seasonal weeds germinating as soil temperatures range from spring to fall.   Insecticides and fungicides may also need to be added to combat against insects, grubs and lawn diseases throughout the season as well.

Lawn care costs can vary from service providers in the lawn care industry.  Many fertilization companies utilize synthetic fertilizers for their ease of use and low costs.  Synthetic fertilizers have a good use in a fertilization program, but heavy or over-use can lead to sterile soils, unwanted runoff and mis-use.  Lawn Doctor utilizes organic-based fertilizer sources that not only provide the needed Nitrogen, but come form a source that will also benefit the natural soil microbes and promote healthier soil nutrient values with each application.  This process increase soil conditions over time rather than depleting soil nutrients and crating weak soils. 

To get an instant quote for lawn care for your property this season visit us at Lawndoctor.com or visit our instant quote at lawndoctorinstantquote.com and get started today!

Looking for a better lawn this year or help controlling mosquitoes?

Please share or follow us on Facebook for more helpful lawn care updates.

Contact us today at:  847-395-0940 or at: group593@lawndoctor.com

www.lawndoctorantioch-waukegan.com  

Or Find us on Facebook

What happens to the lawn in Winter?

                                                           Melting snow reveals green grass still not dormant

As the temperatures and snowflakes begin to drop on the area in late fall, many things are happening to the lawn that are often ignored.  As attention turns to gift buying, cooking and holiday festivities, the lawn is doing things most people don't realize and that can help answer many misconceptions about lawn care and lawns by most homeowners.  Lawns in the area are primarily cool season grass types which will actually thrive until the soil freezes.    Early snow cover will blanket the lawn and act as a heat trapping blanket, while extended snow cover between now and spring may cause severe snow mold and vole damage that will need to be repaired in spring.  Snow shoveling will begin to cause severe compaction and damage to the lawn.  Winter dormancy creates a reset for the lawn which may or may not be complicated by these additional issues.

                                 Snow shoveled onto landscapsing and lawn creates growing complications in spring

Late fall brings cooler air temperatures and lower sun angles reducing the soil temperatures across the area.   Cool season grasses thrive between soil temperatures of just above freezing to 80 degrees.  Soil temperatures will lag air temperatures as the ground is slower to heat and cool than air.  So even though it may be too cold to go outside for recreational activities, the grass will actually thrive until the soil freezes.  Rains and snow melt from early season snowfall will help maintain the health and life of cool season grasses in conjunction with the late fall fertilizer well into December on average.  Even though many homeowners have forgotten about the lawn at this point fall lawn fertilizer is getting utilized and stored by the lawn roots until soils freeze and will contribute to green-up in spring as lawn come out of winter dormancy.

                                        Compaction from extended snow cover on shaded part of lawn

Snow cover can come early or late as proven the last few years across the Northern Illinois area.  Early snow cover before the ground freezes will actually act as a blanket and keep soil from freezing.  This will also allow for the grass to continue to stay green and awake.  As early snow cover melts we see the grass come back through as emerald green as it has not yet gone dormant.  Once the ground freezes the lawn will turn brown as desiccation and dormancy take over the grass.  This will cause the grass blades to turn brown as the plant shuts down for winter.  But don't worry a properly fertilized lawn in late fall will bounce back in spring.  Extended snow cover in late winter will create opportunities for snow mold to take over and voles to begin tunneling under the canopy.  Tunneling from voles and severe snow mold damage will need to be seeded in spring to help repair.

             Snow mold and vole damage in spring

Shoveling snow in winter may have an impact on the lawn come from spring.  Large piles of snow along sidewalks, driveways and patios will cause compaction.  Compaction of the lawn can cause slow green up or thinning of the lawn come spring.  Carefully planning out snow piles from shoveling and plowing in winter can prevent this damage. Shovel and plow damage can also damage the lawn as snow removal is n process.  Marking driveway and sidewalk edges can help prevent this damage.  Otherwise, seeding in spring may be needed to help repair these areas as well.  There are many reasons lawns come out of winter damaged but these are some of the main examples.  Hopefully careful planning can help eliminate or minimize some of the damage.  Keep an eye on conditions this winter and pay attention to these issues which will help explain the damage come spring.

Looking for a better lawn this year or help controlling mosquitoes?

Please share or follow us on Facebook for more helpful lawn care updates.

Contact us today at:  847-395-0940 or at: group593@lawndoctor.com

www.lawndoctorantioch-waukegan.com  

Or Find us on Facebook

Importance of late summer fertilizer application

The summer of 2018 has had many differences than last year however many of the issues of summer remained the same for this season.  Every summer brings challenges to the lawn care industry mostly due to extended sunny days bringing high soil temperatures, high evapo-transpiration rates and limited soil moisture.  Heat and drought stress cause the lawn to brown, expose minor issues and bring many curve balls to those trying to keep a green lawn all summer long.  August has brought some much needed rain however more is needed for most lawn to make a full recovery.  A late summer fertilizer is needed at this time so when rains do come, the lawn has adequate nutrients available for a quick                                                                                      green up and rebound.


We have received many questions over the last few summers at this time regarding the necessity for a late summer fertilizer application when the lawn is brown from dormancy or "dead".  I wanted to write this post today as I was out checking on lawns in the area and noticed that lawns that have received the late summer fertilizer application have already begun greening up and rebounding from summer stress.  Granular fertilizer needs a few days and moisture to be taken up by the roots of the plant.  The plant also has to be in an active state, not dormant to begin greening up and or putting out new leaf tissue.  This is exactly why we fertilize in late summer weather the current state of the lawn is dormant or active.  The applications we do today will produce results in the coming weeks as plants begin to rebound from lower temperatures and rains.

A well fertilized and healthy lawn is also able to quickly rebound from summer stresses.  Many people think that a lawn has to be green and active to be healthy.  That isn't necessarily true in summer where it is natural and healthy for a lawn to bonce in and out of dormancy as temperatures and moisture levels swing abruptly.  Lawns that are under fertilized or full of weeds do not bounce back and begin growing when rain returns as they have been under maintained.  Just like a healthy person still gets sick but bounces back quicker than an unhealthy person the lawn will rebound quickly when properly fertilized in late summer.  Lawns need fertilization all season long in addition to regular precipitation in order to maintain a healthy stand of grass.

Looking for a better lawn this year or help controlling mosquitoes?

Please share or follow us on Facebook for more helpful lawn care updates.

Contact us today at:  847-395-0940 or at: group593@lawndoctor.com

www.lawndoctorantioch-waukegan.com  

Or Find us on Facebook

Spring 2018 Lawn Services have had great success

Spring 2018 has had it ups and downs this season for the lawn care service industry.  However it has mostly produced many "ups" or positive results across the Antioch- Gurnee area.   A very slow to warm up spring kept lawns brown and with no growth through early April followed by a nearly two week cold and snow on the ground period of early to mid-April.  Although the cooler temps and snow cover  were a little abnormal, the moisture left behind allowed for good green up and new leaf tissue growth in the warmer weeks that followed.   

Late April 2018

Snow cover on April 15, 2018

May brought many additional challenges as it was warm but very wet.  This caused some delays again including many spring seeding services.  Seeding in spring is a great opportunity to thicken up some shady areas however the moisture and temperature swings can create a lot of difficulties in scheduling and performing these services on time.  With that being said the seeding and fertilization services have performed with great success as the temperatures, sunlight availability and rain has been very helpful towards the end of the month and through Memorial Day Weekend.






May 2018 Lawns in Lake Villa

The cool and wet spring has also contributed to a heavy outbreak of mosquitoes so far this season.  These populations will continue to grow and multiply every several weeks through summer as there is a lot of standing water and moisture in wooded and shaded areas right now.  Mosquitoes continue to be a nuisance in the Midwest as their bites result in many uncomfortable allergic reactions and can also spread serious and fatal diseases.  If you have not tried or have our Yard Armour mosquito control service, this year would be a great time to get started so that you can enjoy the warm weather outside.

Looking for a better lawn this year or help controlling mosquitoes?

Please share or follow us on Facebook for more helpful lawn care updates.

Contact us today at:  847-395-0940 or at: group593@lawndoctor.com

www.lawndoctorantioch-waukegan.com  

Or Find us on Facebook

Another Lawn Season is Completed

2017 Lawn care season

Every lawn season is unique and contains a new set of challenges each year.  Some seasons are hot and dry presenting insect issues while others are wet and cool and more prone to disease development.  2017 was no different in its own set of unique conditions it brought to the lawns across northenr Illinois including Antioch, Lake Villa, Lindenhurst, Gurnee and the surrounding areas.  A warm start to the summer was flipped over to a cooler and very wet (including many flooded areas) mid-summer followed by a dry and warmer early fall.  While these conditions are fall within averages for the most part the timing and scheduling of them was quite unique.  With all challenges in mind, Lawn Doctor of Antioch maintained and provided a very consistent return of results with our lawn program this season.



Early summer is normally the beginning of heat and drought stress to the lawn.  The 2017 season was very different however, with lawns looking great through June with extended leaf tissue growth from cool soil temperatures and adequate rains.  July took a turn for the worse but not for usual July heat and drought stress but from flooded retention ponds, lakes, streams and rivers.  While grass is usaully able to cope with short lived flooding, a lot of lawns were under water for a week or more due to the heavy rains in the area.  Most grass that was only covered for a day or two at the peak of water levels did not show any damage however areas that were under water for more than 5 to 7 days were completely destroyed from suffocation.

Flood damaged lawn

Areas that were destroyed by lack of oxygen from the water cover and were replanted by Lawn Doctor all came back and popped due to the sufficient moisture left behind in the soil for weeks after the waters receded.  The higher temperatures of late summer in September did not extend the damage any further for the lawns that were seeded and watered in properly in early September.  Most of these lawns came in better than in previous years due to the saturated soils and sunny conditions that followed.

Power seeded lawn after damage

Although the 2017 season brought many hurtles to the lawn care industry, Lawn Doctor maintained a great lawn service program for most of our customers.  Our 2 spring, 2 summer, and 2 fall application schedule allowed us the neccesary flexibility to adjust fertilizers and rates in order to stay ahead of stresses and changing weed conditions this season.  Please feel free to check out our service reviews online or leave us one at: Lawn Doctor of Antioch Reviews

Please share or follow us on Facebook for more helpful lawn care updates.

Contact us today at:  847-395-0940 or at: group593@lawndoctor.com

www.lawndoctorantioch-waukegan.com  

Or Find us on Facebook

Flood Damaged Lawns

Beautiful summer lawn in July 2017

This summer has been a roller coaster ride of weather and growing conditions for lawns across Northern Illinois.  From a wet spring we jumped right into heat and drought stress in early June resulting in some heat tracking and stressed out lawns.  July followed with cool temperatures and weekly rains followed by record breaking flooding.  As a result lawns have performed well with the exception of those close to waterways that were covered in water for several days after the flood.  Lawns that were flooded will need some extra care and attention in the coming weeks.

Heat stressed lawn early June

Lawns that are covered with flood water generally suffer from several different types of damage.  Most turf grass species are able to withstand a few days of flooding.  However after a few days of being submersed under water, grasses can begin to die from a lack of oxygen and or light.  Other factors that can lead to grass dying after flooding include heavy soil and sediment deposits,  water contamination from petroleum or oils, algae scum, and increased weed pressure from weeds seed left behind.

Flood damaged lawn

The best thing to do to a lawn that was covered with flood waters is to remove any debris left behind once the water recedes.  This could be gravel, limbs, stumps, dead fish or animals, garbage or any other debris left behind on the lawn.  These items could smother the grass or prevent it from growing back if not removed.  After removing any physical debris, rake up any muck or damaged leaf tissue to increase oxygen availability to the grass and roots.  Hosing off any muck or debris may also be needed but make sure not to use too much pressure as this could damage roots and crowns of the grass plant.  Once the area is initially dried out and raked, watering may be needed to prevent it from additional stress if rains are not sufficient.  About 1-2 inches per week is ideal for grass.

The grass plant will generate new leaf tissue in the weeks after the flood water has receded if it was able to survive.  After a few weeks you should begin to see this new leaf tissue emerge.  This is a good indication that the plant was able to survive and will continue to grow.  During this time the best thing to do is nothing.  Try to stay off of the damaged areas as they come back for a few weeks with the exception of watering if needed.  During this recovery time other seeds and weeds will probably germinate as well.  Be patient with this process as it will take some time.  After a few weeks of regrowth you should be able to tell if the grass is coming back or not.  Early fall is the best time to seed any areas that do not come back and to weed spray any unwanted weeds that may grow as well.

Flood damaged lawn 

Even though the lawns on Northern Illinois were damaged from flooding this summer most lawns would grow back before late fall.  If areas do not come back in the coming weeks, power seeding or aeration with over seeding may be needed in early fall to get these lawns back in shape before winter dormancy.

Looking for a better lawn this year or help controlling mosquitoes?

Please share or follow us on Facebook for more helpful lawn care updates.

Contact us today at:  847-395-0940 or at: group593@lawndoctor.com

www.lawndoctorantioch-waukegan.com  

Or Find us on Facebook

Early Spring lawn Preparations

Early spring brings excitement and joy to many homeowners in the Antioch-Gurnee-Waukegan area as humid warm air and extended sunlight hours bring the lawns and plants out of their winter slumber.  The thoughts of enjoying the outdoors once again brings a lot of anticipation along with a list of things to do.  There are many projects and plans racing through our minds as the warmer days allow for open windows and sunroofs throughout the neighborhoods.  One way to eliminate the uncertainty of lawn tasks and projects is to get develop a plan to have in place once the warmer weather is here to stay.

A spring lawn plan should include the following lawn care activities to either "enjoy" doing yourself or make sure you have hired to get done for the season.  A lawn fertilizer application consisting of spring fertilizer with a pre-emergent weed control for annual grassy weeds, mainly crabgrass.  A soil enrichment product such as a soil conditioner or pellet compost to provide soil nutrients and organic matter to encourage microbial activity.  And a core aeration with over seeding as needed to allow oxygen to penetrate the soil profile and begin filling in any bare or thin spots in the lawn.  Spring conditions are very favorable for new growth and developing a lawn for the duration of summer so don't miss this opportunity to get the lawn growing in the right direction.

Spring fertilizer should consist of a medium rate application of Nitrogen (13-19%) and a low Potassium rate (1-6%).  The source should be of a fairly quick release form for fast release and uptake as the plant needs it during the warmer and wet conditions that vary from day to day.  The herbicide should be the broadest range of weed control to prevent the most seed from germinating and taking root before the grass has a chance to generate new growth.  Most products are designed for stopping the establishment of crabgrass.  Although you wont generally see it until June or later the germination process for crabgrass can begin with a string of 5 or more days with soil temperatures above 50 degrees.

Spring is also a great time to core aerate a lawn in order to increase oxygen to the root zone of the topsoil.  This activity also relieve soil compaction from freezing ground or extended snow cover.  By alleviating the soil and allowing more oxygen to the root zone, the turf is able to green up and begin growing in tune with the air temperature increasing.  Aeration is one of the best natural activities for the improvement of the lawn without forcing any nutrients or chemicals onto the lawn.



Spring is also a great time to introduce or add organic matter to the soil to boost microbial activity.  The most effective way to do this is with the addition of soil conditioners or organic compost made into pellets that can be easily applied to the lawn similar to fertilizer.  The organic matter feeds the soil microbes as the temperatures warm up,which leads to a healthier and more rich topsoil.

These early spring lawn tips are a great way to get the lawn growing in spring and can be done by homeowners alone or can be hired out to be done by a lawn care provider.  Lawn Doctor not only suggests these services but we also provide them for you.  Contact the lawn professionals at Lawn Doctor of Antioch to take care of your spring lawn to do list so you can enjoy the warming spring days on a golf course, walking or biking or just relaxing on your patio.

Please share or follow us on Facebook for more helpful lawn care updates.

Contact us today at:  847-395-0940 or at: group593@lawndoctor.com

www.lawndoctorantioch-waukegan.com  

Or Find us on Facebook