Dog Days of Summer
August 2015
 

 

When it comes to mushrooms in the soil, there are billions of micro-organisms which are constantly working, eating and decomposing organic matter

 in the soil.  Fungal fruiting structures release tiny spores that are easily carried in the air to new sites.  These spores find a home on organic materials such as a piece of rotting wood and start to grow, sending out thin filaments called hyphae.  These hyphae decompose wood, leaves, food waste from compost piles, mulches and organic matter- some develop sufficient mushrooms that grow and appear in your lawn.  These fungi can live in your soil for years and when conditions are right, they prosper, such as after periods of prolonged wet weather.  Mushrooms are usually found in areas of poor water drainage. 

New sod lawn installations and newly reseeded lawns require frequent irrigation and this sometimes promotes the growth of mushrooms.  The mushrooms do not harm the lawn and will disappear as the volume of water is reduced.

Removing mushrooms from the top of your lawn will not kill the underground mycelia from which they are growing, so they may return.  To manage mushrooms, aeration is necessary to break up the existing dense fungal mat of mycelia.  Remove cores at least ΒΌ" to 1 inch in diameter  deeper than the fungal mat penetrates the soil.  Determine the depth of this mat with a trowel or shovel.  You may have to aerate these areas more than once each year to keep ahead of the regrowing mushrooms.  This aeration breaks up the fungal mat but also improves water and air penetration into the soil creating a better lawn growing environment.  If the fungal mat is more than 3" deep, a shovel or auger may be used to penetrate deeper into the ground.  If the mushroom infestation is extreme and you want to completely eradicate mushrooms, you may need to remove the soil to a depth of 12" to 18".  Refill the trench with fresh soil and reseed the area.  Be careful not to infest any surrounding areas with the contaminated soil!  You also may apply fertilizer to help the grass to grow and thrive; this fertilization hastens the breakdown of organic matter.  

Chinch Bugs

Chinch bugs Chinch bugs  have been suppressed due to rainy weather in some parts of the country. They will return with the dry weather and if the temperatures move back into the 90's. Damage frequently appears from early July through late August when the insects are actively feeding. Chinch bug nymphs and adults cause significant feeding damage by removing plant fluids and by injecting a toxin that causes the grass to yellow, then turn reddish brown, and eventually die. 

Chinch bugs can be repelled by the use of endophyte enhanced-turfgrasses such as the  Black Beauty grass seed mixtures.

Apply Grub and Insect Control and water  it in if you have Chinch bugs. If you have a history of chinch bugs, you may need to reapply in 25-28 days to prevent a second or even third generation of chinch bugs damaging the lawn later in the year.



Show Us Your Lawn!

2014 Grand Prize Winner
Time is running out for you to enter a photo of your lawn in our contest!  Upload a picture of your lawn for a chance to win each month from now until October.  One monthly winner will be chosen and will receive a $50 gift coupon to use at their local Jonathan Green retail store.  This gift coupon can be used on anything in that store.  

At the end of the year one grand prize winner will receive a $500 gift coupon and a New American Lawn product kit! 
For more information and to enter today please visit   newamericanlawn.com    and upload your photo.  Good luck!

 



Fall Needs and Lawn Repair  

 
 It is time to start to think about your needs for fall. Is your lawn in need of repair due to insect, disease or drought damage? Will you need to seed? Will you need to fertilize?


 

Fall is the best time to establish new grass. The warm soil temperatures and cool nights provide the perfect conditions for germination. 


Check our our New American Lawn Guide for product suggestions and helpful hints!


 

To download the guide visit www.newamericanlawn.com.


For more information, how-to videos and informative articles visit  jonathangreen.c om
and  NewAmericanLawn.com.  Follow  us on Facebook, Twitter and our other social media sites listed below for even more daily lawn and garden tips.  
          
Sincerely,    
 
Jonathan Green
Seedsmen

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