Tips and links about lawn care related to our elevation and weather patterns.
Zamzows has lawn program. This is not an ad for Zamzows, however, it is where I learned the most about our lawn needs. It is an annual fee based on the square footage of your lawn. This is a big help to prevent missing time windows, like when to put down fertilizer, grub prevention, etc. They give you a schedule to hang in your garage, send email reminders to pick up stages and a newsletter. We have lots of insects that produce eggs that become the larva/grubs that eat the roots and create brown patches requiring a reseed. If you didn’t put down the grub killing material the patches spread fast and become giant sections of dirt. The lawn program also provides a 10% discount on everything in the store. The knowledge here is way beyond Lowes and Home Depot. Program cost averages $150 a year for my lawn. They even loan you a spreader if you don’t have one.
If you want a greener lawn you have to understand our micro weather climate. At 2500 foot elevation our hot days dry out and burn lawns fast. So, maintain a taller lawn in summer months. Adjust your lawn mower wheels for 3 to 4 inch is perfect for Eagle in our summer months. I use 3.5, this height provides more shade which prevents the sun from drying out the dirt. The shorter your cut the more watering required. That water will evaporate quickly. A taller lawn will provide a shadow and insulation effect. The grass will then use photosynthesis and have moisture for a longer period of time. The lawn will become thicker (unlike my balding head). You will use less pond water, as much as 3 times less. This also means you will not have to clear your HOA irrigation filter often. If throughout the season you find your sprinklers spray reach lessens, it is a sign you need to get on your knees and clean that filter again.
Think that you need short grass to prevent mushrooms. Not true. It’s impossible to completely rid your lawn of mushrooms. As the PH level of dirt that mushroom’s need is the same exact PH level of a perfect lawn. Mushrooms appear due to the organic matter the animals leave behind. Those closest to ponds are likely to have more mushrooms as the ducks and geese waddle through the yards and leave spores behind. There is nothing you can spread to keep the mushrooms from sprouting that won’t also harm your grass. Best to mow them with a mower bag attached and pick the remaining that are big or above the grass height.
Over watering creates fungus disease growth (this not mushrooms).
You can not have a green lawn without spreading fertilizer. Over fertilizing can burn a lawn. If your lawn is in bad shape, it is best to spread a second covering 3-4 weeks after the first.
CUT YOUR LAWN SHORT JUST BEFORE 1st SNOW
Cutting your lawn short, 2 inches, before the first snow prevents snow molds and other fungal diseases from hibernating under the tall grass. This also helps foster healthier roots for spring.
IF YOU HIRE A LANDSCAPE COMPANY
Often you have choices for levels of service. If you save by having them only cut once a week, you will need to address the grubs and fertilizer needs yourself. This is not a big time killer. Spreading is 10 times faster and easier than pushing a lawn mower. Of course you are always responsible for the watering times. So, if you do not want to grow lawn fungus you should look into a newer wi-fi controller, as many now have the ability to know if rain is coming and prevent over watering. These also allow you control watering from your phone. Eight zone devices are under $100.
YOUR WINTER LANDSCAPE NEEDS
Sometime during the fall the HOA water is shut off. This is the time to shut the HOA water valve in your yard. That flows from the pump house at Mallard pond. Once it’s shut it is a good time to clean your filter (usually located with the valve most filters are grey in color and unscrew). Next remove the water in the pipes using an air compressor. This is called “blowout”. You are removing much of the water in the pipes such that when the ground freezes water left in the pipes has space to expand to prevent cracking sprinkler pipes.
WE NEED SECOND SOURCE OF LANDSCAPE WATER
ALL water is regulated by the Idaho Water Board of Resources. Thanks to our board we have a well permit, (already time is expiring, half passed). Permit will enable us to provide Mallard pond a second supply source. We have only been able to get 1 (ONE) well drilling company to pay attention to us. They are all so busy only provided a quote. A member of our community with property elsewhere, had a well drilled and was able to convince the company to come give us a quote. It’s been about 2 years and we have not been able to get a second quote. That quote is now old, costs go up as time passes. The board tried hard to get more quotes. Others came briefly looked and saw easier money elsewhere. Other neighborhoods will be drilling to the same level we are required. And we have all heard the phrase “the well ran dry”. For that reason it is likely the water resource board may not renew our drill/construction permit. We will have to go back to the end of the application line. Wait until all the other newer permits complete or expire before the government water board will review projected availability to see if we can have a new permit. There is a lot of building going. Your house and our community are a big investment. Think of that future home buyer that sees brown lawns or hears from realtors that ponds in the preserve sometimes go dry… how much of your home’s value will evaporate ?