Late-summer lawn care starts with water and pest control

We hope that everyone is having a great August so far. With summer nearing the back end and kids going back to school, afternoon showers are becoming more frequent, along with a little fluctuation in our temperatures. This month, we wanted to talk about what we can do to prevent damage or setbacks before the growing season wraps up in the next couple of months.

The first thing to be aware of is the amount of rainfall. We have been seeing a little more lately, but overall, this has been a dry, hot summer. Keeping a rain gauge at the house is highly recommended so that you can monitor how much rainfall we receive. When we are getting multiple inches of rain a week, adjust your irrigation system accordingly. Too much water can create fungus in the lawn this time of year, identified by discolored blades and circular patterns. It is important to give the lawn a chance to dry out between periods of heavy rainfall. We always say that the best way to water is deep and infrequent, about two to three times per week. Doing so will help promote a deep and healthy root system.

Heavy rainfall can also help identify imperfections in the lawn, such as excessive runoff or heavy puddling or pooling. When water stands in an area for days at a time, it can cause damage to the grass underneath. Adding sand to level out these spots can provide a long-term solution and greatly improve drainage. In areas with heavy runoff or washout, you may determine the need for drainage or retention. Seeing the larger picture of what is causing the damage allows you to make corrections for a more sustainable landscape.

Aside from water damage, we have also been seeing increased insect activity. Sod webworms and armyworms have been making their presence known in Bermuda and St. Augustine lawns. They can quickly chew down the blades of grass, leaving areas and even entire lawns damaged or browned out. The first indicator of these gnawing insects is often moth activity in your lawn. If you are seeing small white or gray moths flying out of your grass as you walk through at dusk or dawn, it is important to put down a preventive insecticide, as the caterpillars begin feeding quickly once they hatch. The good news is that recovery is somewhat manageable when the problem is controlled in a timely manner.

St. Augustine specifically deals with a plethora of issues this time of year, including webworms, chinch bugs and gray leaf spot fungus. Keep a close eye out for yellowing, spots on grass blades and brown, straw-like areas forming in the lawn. It is best to act preventively with this grass type, as it does not recover as well as zoysia or Bermuda.

Lastly, we want to discuss our plants and bushes. We are getting close to the time when our spring and summer annuals begin to change colors and drop some leaves, while our fall and winter annuals begin to produce growth and buds. Providing nutrients can help support healthy growth. We have also seen a lot of activity from whiteflies this season, especially on viburnums. Look for small, white, hopping insects on the undersides of your leaves and around the bases of your plants. Whiteflies will leave behind a residue on the leaves, leading to sooty mold that will eventually turn the plant black.

We hope this information helps you identify and treat issues at the source before they become larger problems. If you ever need a professional opinion or help with treatments, feel free to reach out.

Zach Deloach is the owner of Lawn Doctor of Beaufort County.