Caterpillars In The Lawn: Sod Web Worms and Army Worms are eating lawns right now. Signs of this pest are areas in your lawn not growing like the rest of the yard and the grass blades have chew marks or are eaten down to the nub. Also, flocks of birds in your yard feeding is another sign. Use Cyonara Hose-End for a quick kill, or Thuricide for organic control. Reapply as needed.
Landscape Watering: It’s always better to water your plants and lawn during the first half of the day, anywhere from 1 or 2 a.m. in the morning through to 10 a.m. in the morning, when the city require all sprinklers be turned off. Early morning watering is best because winds are the lowest, temperatures are the lowest and humidity is the highest, allowing for less water evaporation and runoff. And remember, city rules state we can (and should) only water our landscape one day a week. You can use a tuna fish can to measure how much water you’re getting out with your sprinkler. Texas A&M recommends clay loam soils get one inch of water once a week.
Brown Patch Fungus is also active after all the recent rains. To avoid cosmetic damage, spread Bayer Fungus Granules or F-Stop to the lawn. If the fungus is not present, and you’ve had fungus issues in the past, you can apply as a preventative. Disease is always easier to prevent than cure. Fertilome Liquid Systemic Fungicide II can also be sprayed to areas that are suspicious and just beginning. Spray two feet beyond infected areas and re-apply after heavy rains, or as the area appears to be growing. Fungus will remain active through the fall and winter with shorter days, damp nights and rain with cold fronts. Nature’s Blend organic compost spread over the areas will also help prevent, and will aid the area in recovering quicker from the damage. If you don’t choose to treat through the fall and winter, your lawn will recover on its own in spring.
Care For Succulents In The Fall: As our days shorten and cool, your succulents will need less water and no fertilizer until spring. Watch for hungry caterpilla
James Burnett says
grass area between sidewalk and curb had brown spots in spring. Treated for fungus, cinch bugs and grubs. Fertilized with Milorganite twice during the summer. Still have brown spots and sod can be lifted up,apparently grub problem. Suggestions appreciated. Residence in 78414 off Cimarron. Thanks
james gill says
And you are welcome to dig and bring in a sample. No dead grass, but at the edge of the affected area, so it is still alive but showing symptoms. And an 8×10 photo showing location and pattern. And a history, such as, started 2 months ago (or a week ago), I’m watering once a week (or not at all), I applied ### 2 weeks ago, or the lawn is Floratam planted 2 years ago, etc. Many problems will have distinct visual symptoms we can identify, but some will not.
james gill says
https://www.youtube.com/user/gillsnursery
Check out some of our videos for good tips on grub worm, brown patch fungus, or drought. Specific to your grub problem, I would plug or sod Floratam St. Augustine, which we will get tomorrow. And next year, watch carefully in August, September, and if we did not get a good spring rain, then watch into October, for any areas of lawn that wilt sooner, and if soil is moist underneath, dig to confirm grubs, and if confirmed, treat that area and several feet beyond (but not the whole yard, to conserve beneficial insects)