Arizona Lawn Care Tips for March
While it comes as no surprise to homeowners who have installed sod, lush lawns are a labor intensive project. Being mindful of the seasons and their respective maintenance plans will facilitate healthy growth and thwart widespread disease. March is a great time to revisit your lawn care processes and adjust for the weather.
March Forecast
On average, Phoenix, Arizona, sees .9 inches of rain during the month of March. The average high is 75 degrees with an average low of 49. Temperatures will vary depending on your location within the valley, but seasonal averages can successfully guide you toward the right maintenance plan.
Sod Maintenance Tips for Spring
When spring is in the air, overwatering becomes the number one culprit of fungal infections. You should avoid mowing wet grass for the same reason as a problem confined to one area of the yard will soon spread throughout the entire lawn. Other weather-sensitive issues include:
- Weeding: Summer is the worst time to try and tackle your weed problem since the roots will be well established and tough. Pre-emergent herbicides will save you days of labor and allow you to tackle the issue when weeds are soft and just beginning to grow.
- Fertilizing: A quick spring fertilizer will prime your lawn for optimal growth throughout the season. The fertilizer you use will depend upon your particular sod type as well as any problems you may have faced during the winter months. The most important factor is finding the correct balance of essential nutrients conducive to Arizona’s climate.
- Mowing: As discussed in a previous blog, the frequency and method of mowing will depend on your grass species and how quickly it’s growing. Always keep grass blades at 2/3 their height. As for frequency:
- A Tifgreen sod lawn mowed below 1/2 of an inch may have to be mowed every 2-3 days.
- A Midiron hybrid Bermuda sod lawn mowed at 2 inches may only have to be mowed once every 7-10 days.
Spring Gardening Tips
Once you’ve mastered sod care, it’s time to take full advantage of the season and enhance your beautiful yard even more. Spring is a great time to start a vegetable garden or grow your favorite flowers.
- Best seeds: carrots, cucumbers, green onion, squash, peppers, tomatoes, melons, beets.
- Best flowers: desert marigold, sunflower, safflower, verbena, cosmos, hollyhock.
- Best herbs: basil, chamomile, sage, oregano, thyme, lemon grass, parsley, mint.
- If you have citrus trees, remember to fertilize with nitrogen when they sprout leaves. Transplant new trees during this time as they’ll take approximately three years to produce fruit. A young tree (2-5 years old) will be easier to manage and yield fruit at the same time as an older tree.
- For other landscape plants, don’t forget to water at least once a month in the absence of rainfall. Remove weeds early and often and prune the plants that are sensitive to frost once they leaf out.
By taking the time to properly care for your lawn, you’ll get to enjoy its beauty for years to come. Follow the recommended maintenance for your sod grass and—when in doubt—consult a professional to ensure its vibrancy and longevity.