Pivot - A factor having a major or central role, function, or effect. In the financial world, a pivot point is a time when a market price trend changes direction.
Mid-March is a pivot point for lawns and landscapes in central Oklahoma.
It is the point when weather conditions are exactly right for lawns and landscapes to change direction.
What are the key factors?
Forsythia’s bright yellow flowers are one of the first to brighten the early spring landscape. When forsythia blooms, it is also an indicator that we have reached the critical temperate for crabgrass to start germinating.
Flowering Quince, one of the first shrubs to announce spring, has started blooming.
Soil Temperature – When soil temperatures reach 55 degrees for 2-3 consecutive days summer annual weeds start to germinate. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of this week most of the Oklahoma City metro area had soil temperatures at or above 55 degrees. Up until now, the weeds growing in the area were predominately winter annual weeds; weeds that germinated last fall. From this point on, as soil temperatures continue to warm, winter annual weeds will reach the end of their life cycle and summer annual weeds will begin to grow. Also, with soil temperatures reaching 55 degrees, Bermuda lawns will start to break dormancy and fescue lawns will become bright green.
Tulips and pansies on the south and west sides of structures began to put on a spring color show this week.
Look for saucer magnolias to burst with color this week.
Day Length – Longer days and shorter nights are key to bud break on shrubs and trees. Bud break is the point when the bud produces a flower or a leaf. Day length of 12 hours is the pivot point when we see the first blooms and leaf development. Mid-March is when day length reaches 12 hours. In mid-February, we were receiving an hour less and by this time next month, the day length will reach 13 hours. Each species has its own growth requirements. Some species started leafing and blooming this week, others will wait until April. Sunlight is a key trigger for bud break. The brighter the sun, the longer the day, the more plant species will bloom and leaf.
Moisture – Normal rainfall in central Oklahoma during March is 3”. A good spring rainfall when soil temperatures have reached 55 degrees acts as a trigger to green up fescue, force bud break on shrubs and trees, and start Bermuda emerging from dormancy. During periods of drought, spring green-up will be slow. The 30-day rainfall in the Oklahoma City metro area is less than 1”. We need a good soaking rain to push us over the pivot point. If we receive a good rain in the next few days, our landscapes will burst with the colors of springs in the next few days.
Tulips are getting ready to brighten the landscape over the next few weeks.
Daffodils started adding shades of yellow, orange and white to the landscape this week.
The unusual freeze burned leaves on spring blooming bulbs is a reminder of just how cold it was a few weeks ago.
If we have reached the pivot point, is it too late to start a weed control and fertilizer program?
No, it is never too late to start a lawn care program, but the sooner you start the better. The first summer annual weed to germinate once soil temperatures reach 55 degrees is crabgrass, and there are more to follow as soil temperatures warm. Goosegrass germinates when soil temperatures reach the 60s and sandburs follow soon after. All summer weeds will continue to germinate in the warm soil temperatures. Even if you are a little late with the first lawn care application, you still have the chance to stop more weeds from germinating throughout the season. If you have not put a pre-emergent on your lawn, there is another reason to do so soon: Most pre-emergent herbicides will control crabgrass during its first stage of growth. Starting now will still gain you good summer annual weed control this year.
The key to a great weed control program is a second pre-emergent application a few weeks after the first application. Pre-emergent herbicides work by creating a barrier over the soil surface. The barrier gradually weakens from foot traffic, mowing, heavy rains, etc. Edges of the lawn breakdown first. Since weeds continue to germinate throughout the season, a second application is required for season-long prevention.
If you are currently a subscriber to a Hall | Stewart Lawn Care Program, either the 7-Step Weed Control & Fertilizer or the 4-Step Weed Control Only, you have already received your 1st pre-emergent application to prevent summer annual weeds this year!
If you are not a subscriber to a Hall | Stewart Lawn Care Program, please contact us.
We want to make sure you receive timely applications to prevent weeds, control existing weeds, and keep the lawn healthy and growing.
Now that we are at the pivot point for spring, is it time to cut the lawn for the first time?
It is time to fire up the mower. It is not necessary to scalp the lawn, the process of cutting it as low as the mower will go. The goal for Bermuda lawns is to cut the dormant leaf blades to just below the height you will be mowing the lawn early in the season. For most, setting the mower on the 2nd setting is good.
For fescue lawns, you do not need to cut the lawn as short. For the first mow, cut the lawn a little lower than you left it last fall. Just low enough to remove the brown leaf tips left from the cold winter. As soon as the brown tips are removed, and we receive a good rainfall, fescue lawns will return to a rich green color.
Warm soil temperatures, longer days, moisture and cutting your fescue to remove winter burn will return your lawn to the rich greens of spring.
Hyacinths are one of the first bulbs to add color to the spring landscape.
The best news of all is that spring is on the way!
Every day something new will burst into life in the landscape.
Find sometime over the next few weeks to slow down and enjoy the colors of spring.
Lorne Hall
Hall | Stewart Lawn & Landscape
(405)367-3873