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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (May 31, 2017)
HOME & GAR DEN Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, May 31, 2017 A9 Lawn care made simple What grass wants: feeding, mowing, watering By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle The sun is out and so are the lawn mowers. Achieving that lush green yard comes down to a few basics, and OSU Extension Agent Shanna Northway of John Day has some tips to help Grant County residents keep their lawns looking great. Feeding the lawn Northway said there is The Eagle/Angel Carpenter a balance when it comes to Grant Union PE students play volleyball Thursday at the fertilizing lawns. school’s athletic field. “Over- and under-fer- tilization of your lawn can at the wrong time of day,” way said. “Yes, you will have drastically affect the pH of Northway said. to mow less often because your soil,” she said, adding Over-irrigating will not al- your grass is stressed and an inexpensive pH test can be low grass to grow deep roots, not growing, but if lush and purchased at local hardware she said, and when the root green is what you are going stores. system isn’t healthy, grass can for, raise your (mower) deck Lawns that are adequate- become stressed and brown up.” ly fertilized will look better, easily during hot days. She recommends grass compete better against weeds, Northway suggests water- be kept at a height of 1.5-2.5 hold up to wear and tear ing early in the morning or inches. more easily and recover more late at night. quickly from damage. “This allows the water to Banishing Northway recommends soak into the ground before pesky weeds triple 16 fertilizer, which is it evaporates in the mid-day available locally. The mix heat. To keep weeds and un- contains 16 percent nitrogen, Watering three times a wanted grasses out of your 16 percent phosphorous and week is recommended, but if lawn, Northway suggests a 16 percent potassium. it’s really hot, daily watering broadleaf lawn spray from For the highest visual turf may be needed. the hardware store. quality for Eastern Oregon Have a hot spot on your “If your lawn is full of lawns, fertilizing in late April lawn? clover, crab grass and dan- and early May, then again in “Remember, much of our delions, beware that you late June and early July, is county is built on tailings, may have several brown or recommended. In fall, fertil- so if you have a spot in your dead spots in your lawn as ization is suggested in Sep- lawn that just won’t green up those broadleafs die out,” tember with optional appli- chances are there is a lack of she said. cation in October and early top soil in that area,” she said. Do not apply before an November. “You may need to dig up that expected rain event or irri- For a medium quality area and add top soil. If your gate for 24 hours after mak- lawn, May and June should grass is growing over rocks ing the application, as the suffice, with the same sched- with little soil, it won’t stay herbicides will wash off. ule for fall. green in the heat no matter For more information on How much fertilizing is how much water or fertilizer proper lawn care, call North- needed? Each application is you pour on it.” way at 541-575-1911 or call assumed to be at 1 lb. nitrogen your local hardware store. Giving your per 1,000 square feet. Leaving grass clippings lawn a trim on the lawn can enhance the color and growth and extend When it comes to mow- the effect of fertilizers by re- ing lawns, the best outcome cycling the nutrients through will be achieved using sharp decomposition. blades, and don’t mow it too short. Watering “If your lawn instantly turns yellowish/green after done right you mow, you are mowing “The biggest mistake is too short and putting your over-irrigation and irrigating lawn under stress,” North- The Eagle/Angel Carpenter David Mauseth mows a lawn in John Day. Build a Better Summer Deck Lumber, Railings, Stain, Blocks & More Give Your Home a Makeover The Biggest Little Kitchen Store in Eastern Oregon & G adGet s 340 N Broadway, Burns OR 541-573-1725 Open Mon-Sat 10-5 721 W Main St., John Day • 541-575-1850 Open Mon-Fri 7am-6pm • Sat 8am-5pm • Closed Sun Mills Building Supply 751 W Main St. | John Day 541-575-1021 Spring into Summer Andy’s Plumbing Savings for the Home & Sports Refresh, renew and renovate with storewide savings on spring home improvement essentials. s 245 N. Canyon City Blvd. Canyon City 541-575-2144 m’ ourmet Ny da G Bring your car to NAPA Auto Parts for fluids, tools, parts, batteries and more. Everything you need to be prepared! 05669 Mon-Fri, 8 am-5 pm Hardware 652 W Main St. • John Day 541-575-0549 Open Mon-Sat 8-6 • Sun 10-3 • American Standard Sinks & Toilets • Delta Faucets • Bradford White Water Heaters Plumbing hours Mon-Fri 8-4:30 After hours by appointment • Martin Archery Bows & Equipment • BowTech Equipment • PSE Equipment
