I did. I can’t remember who asked me what type grass I had. With raised eyebrows, I probably smiled and said, “Green, along with a kalidiscope of colorful weeds and crabgrass.” Little did I know then how important that question was if I wanted a healthy and environmentally friendly lawn!
We in the Hampton Roads area are in the “transitional grass zone.” This means that both cool season and warm season grasses may grow here.
The warm- and cool-season grass terminology expresses the season when a plant grows and develops the most. Therefore, it makes sense to fertilize your lawn when it is developing its root system, a time when it needs nutrients the most!
Knowing whether you have a cool-season or warm-season grass will determine whether you fertilize your lawn in the fall or the spring. Quick hint:
- Warm-season grasses turn completely brown after first frost. They like full sun.
- Cool-season grasses are first to turn green early in the spring and last to stay green late into the fall. They can handle both sun and shade, but may turn brown in an extremely hot summer.
By the way, please don’t feed your grass with a “more is better” philosophy. Grass only absorbs what it needs, when it needs it! If you give your lawn more fertilizer than required, or feed it at the wrong time, the excess fertilizer (leftovers) laces runoff with nitrogen the next time it rains. Therefore, fertilizing your lawn in the appropriate season with the correct amount christens you as a “faithful steward of your time, money, and our environment.”
For more lawn and garden tips, visit askhrgreen.org/good-to-know-fall-yard-challenge/.
Still not sure about what type grass you have? Contact your local Virginia Cooperative Extension Office for more information.