Withholding spring fertilization of warm-season grasses should occur until mid-May for which grasses?

Withholding spring fertilization of warm-season grasses should occur until mid-May for which grasses?

• A. Zoysia
• B. Buffalo
• C. Bermuda
• D. Zoysia, Buffalo, and Bermuda

Answer: (D)

Warm-season grasses wake up and start active growth only after soils warm in late spring. In Kansas, Bermuda, zoysia, and buffalo grass all break dormancy and begin vigorous growth around mid to late spring. If you fertilize too early, while the grass is still coming out of dormancy, it tends to produce a lot of leafy growth before the roots are ready to efficiently take up and use the nutrients. That can lead to nutrient waste, weaker turf, and a greater risk of disease or drought stress. Waiting until mid-May aligns feeding with when these grasses are actively growing and able to use the nitrogen effectively, giving you stronger, healthier turf. Because all three grasses share this warm-season growth pattern, the recommendation applies to zoysia, buffalo, and Bermuda.

Warm-season grasses wake up and start active growth only after soils warm in late spring. In Kansas, Bermuda, zoysia, and buffalo grass all break dormancy and begin vigorous growth around mid to late spring. If you fertilize too early, while the grass is still coming out of dormancy, it tends to produce a lot of leafy growth before the roots are ready to efficiently take up and use the nutrients. That can lead to nutrient waste, weaker turf, and a greater risk of disease or drought stress. Waiting until mid-May aligns feeding with when these grasses are actively growing and able to use the nitrogen effectively, giving you stronger, healthier turf. Because all three grasses share this warm-season growth pattern, the recommendation applies to zoysia, buffalo, and Bermuda.