 | Peter X. Salmeron
was born in Peru and came to the US in 1971. He attended WSU and KU, earning a BS in Biology. He started Complete Landscaping Systems in 1983, on a part-time basis, and became a full-time entrepreneur in 1987. Today, Complete Landscaping Systems is one of the leading grounds maintenance and landscaping companies in Kansas and recipient of the Department of Commerce Service Company of the Year Award for Kansas in 2001. Mr. Salmeron is former President of the Wichita Garden Show Association and its Board and current Board member, is an executive member of the Board of Directors for Wichita Chamber of Commerce, President of Amigoes de Ser, was named SBA Small Business Person of the Year for 2000, and new Board member of the Wichita Conventions Bureau. You can contact Mr. Salmeron by phone at (316) 832-0061 or by email at petersalmeron@lycos.com |
Lawn, Garden & Landscaping
2005-04-01 10:50:00
Annual and perennial grasses
: Can you tell me the difference between annual and perennial grasses?
ANSWER: One of the common questions we hear is about the difference between annuals and perennials. Annuals sprout from seed, grow and die in one season. The life cycle of annuals starts from scratch each year. Perennials live from year to year. Trees are perennial plants and so is most of the turf in your lawn. Crabgrass and several other grasses are annuals. This means they have to sprout from seed each year. Lawns with serious annual grass problems will have large dead areas each winter. These infestations will usually increase in size each year, unless the problem is corrected. If the seeds can be stopped from germinating, you can get good control of these annual grasses. Each annual grass plant that grew anywhere in your neighborhood last year produced as many as 4000 seeds before it died. Those seeds may have found their way into your lawn on the soles of soles, by being blown by the wind, or by birds. Getting annual grasses out of your lawn is not a once-and-for-all kind of thing. It takes continued care. Chemical controls are designed to help in the process of controlling these unwanted weeds, but cultural practices also make a big difference. Here are a few things you can do to be sure of the very best control. Managing Crabgrass with Cultural Practices • Don't let soil dry out so much that cracks begin to appear. This breaks the pre-emergent barrier and allows crabgrass to sprout. • Keep grass mowed high. Scalping (or mowing too low) sets the lawn back several weeks and lets more sun and warmth reach the soil surface. When this happens, annual grasses sprout more easily. • Give extra water to the lawn along driveways, sidewalk and street pavement. The concrete or blacktop transmits heat to the soil. Super heated soil makes your good turf suffer and thin, and opens the door for annual grasses and weeds to sprout and grow. Tidbits for Your Garden... • Be sure to avoid newly seeded areas if a pre-emergent herbicide is applied for annual grass control. Because pre-emergent kills seeds as they sprout, they can also affect your good seed. As a general rule, avoid seeding areas with pre-emergents. • Try growing a few lilies for cut flowers. They grow easily and there are loads of colors and types from which to choose. • Most perennials can be divided in spring. You can multiply your favorites by having them dug and divided into several clumps and replanted. • Schedule spring bed care now. Leaves and debris should be removed and a clean edge put on all planting beds. Prevent summer weeds with a pre-emergent applied as a last step before fresh mulch is laid down. • Set up your annual tree and shrub care to include dormant oil and feeding this spring. • Rake out dead or brown patches to stimulate new lawn growth. • If you are spot seeding, be sure to clearly mark those areas so they can be avoided with pre-emergent crabgrass control applications. Keep an eye out for disease. Brown patches or discoloration may mean you have fungus activity.
