The days are getting shorter and the temperatures are slowly sinking. Now is the time to keep an eye peeled for fungus. Especially Brown Patch fungus. It will affect all types of grass but really likes St Augustine. The best ways to prevent Brown Patch fungus (and other lawn fungi as well) is to change the way we fertilize, water, mow, and maintain the mower. You should have already fertilized but if not stay away from water-soluble nitrogen (fast release), instead look for water-insoluble nitrogen (slow release or time release). During cool weather, we should only water in the morning and never in the evening. This methodology applies to spring watering. At the first sign of brown patch, start bagging the lawn clipping. The final step is mower maintenance. (Important safety tip to follow) With the mower turned off spray the tires, blades and underside of the deck with a 50% mixture of water and bleach. This will kill any attached fungal spores and keep it from spreading. Let it dry for about 20 minutes and you are good to go.

You should be on the lookout for fungal issues during this time of the year. Detecting a problem early makes it much easier to cure. If you find yourself with a fungal problem, there are both all-natural and synthetic fungicides available. One of the best in the all-natural arena is horticultural cornmeal. On the synthetic side is Ferti-lome’s Liquid Systemic Fungicide and their best is called F-Stop. Wells Brothers has F-Stop granulated in 10lbs, 20lbs bags, and F-Stop 32oz ready to spray. Fungicides only work if a fungus is present. There are no preventive fungicides, they are all curative. Remember this is a process, not an event. Please read and follow the label directions.

If you’re in Wells Brothers and ask “what grass does well in the shade?” The conversation goes to fescue. Fescue is a shade tolerant turf grass that is available in seed and sod, although sod can be difficult to find. Shade means the area receives sunlight from 1.5 to 4 hours a day. Wells Brothers sells 3 varieties of seed that are all considered “Tall Turf Type” by bag and bulk. Our number 1 seller is called “5 Star” followed by “Crossfire” and “Extreme Shade 5 Star”. We’ll look at each of these after some basic information.

From the end of September to end of April is the planting time for fescue. Application rates vary but the rule of thumb is 10 pound per thousand square feet on bare soil and 5 pounds per thousand for overseeding. Fescue must be overseeded once a year to keep it looking like a lawn and not a pasture. Fertilizer and mowing requirements for St. Augustine can be used for fescue. Water requirements for fescue in the summer are enormous and some will die regardless of our efforts. It will require mowing in the winter and it is some of the best-looking grass in the spring and fall.

Fescue must be covered for it to germinate in any reasonable time (7 – 14 days). Seed cover can be dried leaves, dried grass clipping, raking it in or a light covering of compost. I am a follower of the compost cover. My goal is a 2 cubic foot bag per 150 square feet. When overseeding cut the grass and spread the seeds. Don’t mow for 14 days. Water the seed lightly every morning until it starts to look like a lawn. Then you can reduce the watering to every other day until it needs mowing. This process will take between 2 and 4 weeks. After its mowed, you can fertilize it. I recommend an all-natural fertilizer for the first application.

5 Star is a mix of 5 different varieties of fescue. The theory behind this is if 1 fails (for whatever reason) you have 4 other varieties not failing. The Extreme Shade 5 Star follows the same theory but with a different mix. Crossfire is a single variety seed that performs very well in our area of the planet. The thing that needs to be said is never use fescue for an overseeding grass.

Mid-September to late October is the time to apply fall fertilizer. Fertilizer is applied in the fall to get the lawn ready for winter dormancy. Because I’m basically lazy and hate to get dirty twice on the same day, I apply fertilizer at the same time I’m applying pre-emergent. First one then the other. It makes no difference which one goes on first but you must resist the urge to put both products in the spreader at the same time. The ratios never work out the right way. Some will look at “weed and feed” type products as the answer to this situation. I’m not a big fan of weed and feeds. Killing or preventing (post or pre- emergent) and fertilizing are two different processes. What I’m a fan of is one product that performs one task and does it very well. If that means I have to get two products and spend more quality time outside then, oh darn (read sarcasm).

The all-natural fertilizers we offer include Texas Tea (6-2-4), Ladybug (8-2-4), Medina (4-2-3) and our own Dirt Diet is a 4-1-2. The coverage rate of these products ranges from 3,000 to 5,000 square feet.

Synthetic fertilizers include Wells Brothers own 16-20-0 and 28-6-6. We also carry 21-0-0, 13-13-13, 46-0-0, 24-0-0 and some very good products by Ferti-Lome including Lawn Food Plus Iron, Classic Lawn Food, and Winterizer. You can also Hy-Yield New Process. These products will cover from 4,000 to 20,000 square feet.

That’s a wide range of coverage for both groups of fertilizer. This is why it’s important for us homeowners to know the square footage of our lawns. This measurement doesn’t have to be down to the square inch. But if you have a number that’s within 20 square feet, consider yourself exceptional. No matter what product you favor, follow the label. Not sure what the numbers on the fertilizer bag mean? Click here and find out.