Renovating Fescue Lawns After Drought Loss

Unfortunately, this is the second year in a row that we are facing drought conditions going into the fall. Our fescue lawns have really taken a beating the last two years and many have almost completely died out. I know some lawns still look green, but you would be surprised at how much of your lawn is actually crabgrass and not fescue. If you are thinking about renovating your lawn, September is the time to do it. Renovating doesn’t have to be done by plowing under the current turf and starting from scratch. Instead, lawns can be thickened up by overseeding.

To start the overseeding process, mow the grass short (1-1.5 inches) and remove the clippings. This will make it easier to get good seed-soil contact and increase the amount of light that will reach the young seedlings. The success of overseeding is dependant on good seed-soil contact. Thatch can prevent the seed from reaching the soil and germinating. If the thatch layer is ¾ inch or more, use a sod cutter to remove it. A power rake can also be used to reduce a thatch layer.

Next, the soil should be prepared for the seed. Holes must be made into the soil for the seeds to fall into. A verticut machine can be used. It has solid vertical blades that can be set to cut furrows into the soil. Another option is to use a core aerator. This machine will punch holes into the soil and deposit the cores on the surface of the ground. Each hole will produce an excellent environment for seed germination and growth. Machines to do such work can often be rented, so check around.

Fertilizer should then be applied at the rate suggested by a soil test or a starter fertilizer should be used at the rate suggested on the bag.

Seeding is the next step. For overseeding, use half the amount needed compared to seeding bare ground. For tall fescue, the normal rate for bare seeding is 6 to 8 pounds per 1000 square feet so the overseeding rate would be 3 to 4 pounds per 1000 square feet. You don’t necessarily have to overseed with the same variety you planted before. The quality of a lawn by can be raised by overseeding with a fescue variety that has better growth habits. Many stores carry blends of several newer high-quality tall fescues.

Finally, water everything in and then keep the seedbed constantly moist for rapid germination. This might be a bit tricky considering how dry the soil is. Frequent light waterings are better than deeper, infrequent watering as the seedlings become established.

Fertilize with a high nitrogen fertilizer again 4 to 6 weeks after seeding to keep plants growing well and to build up food reserves.

On a side note, many homeowners often want to overseed bare spots under trees, but have minimal luck. The turf will sprout as fall progresses and will get established by winter. It continues to look good going into spring. However, the next summer it begins to die out again – despite any care it is given.

In many cases, this is due to too much shade or the type of turf planted isn’t a good fit for the location. Tall fescue is the only widely used lawn turf in Kansas that can survive some shade. All other cool and warm season turfs need more sunlight.

Instead of establishing grass under trees, consider underplanting the tree with shade tolerant ornamental plants. Examples include ground covers such as vinca minor vines, Boston ivy or liriope, or plants such as hostas or hardy ferns.

Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension agent assigned to Southwind District. She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Sericea Lespedeza is labeled as a noxious weed by the state of Kansas. This means
landowners are required by law to control the weed. In the Southwind District, landowners and
producers continue to fight this weed on rangeland, pasture, and small acreages. There are
multiple herbicides and cultural practices that can help control sericea, but proper timing is
very important. Our district has experienced below average rainfall most of the summer, and
producers that usually target sericea in June with Tricoplyr likely weren’t able to make their
applications, or their applications may not have been effective. August and September offer a
second chance at controlling this tough weed.
The month of August, and into early September offer a great chance at controlling
sericea while it is actively blooming. Targeting the plant while it blooms not only kills the top
growth of the weed, but it also prevents the plants from producing a viable seed.
As many landowners have figured out, sericea is a prolific seed producer. A single stem
can produce upwards of 1500 seeds, equating to over 300 pounds of seed per acre in pure
stands of sericea. With this many seeds being added to the soil’s seedbank, killing off existing
plants will only provide space for new seeds to germinate, so keeping this plant from producing
seed is vital in achieving good control and eradicating the weed species.
Herbicides containing metsulfuron are recommended while sericea is blooming.
Recommended rates for broadcast spraying commonly found herbicides are: 0.5 oz/acre Escort
XP, 0.625 oz/acre Cimarron Plus, and 2.5 to 3 oz/acre Chaparral. All herbicides containing
metsulfuron should be mixe with a non-ionic surfactant (NIS).
For producers looking to spot spray sericea, a tank mix of Escort + a NIS can achieve
good control: 1.0 oz Escort + 1 qt NIS in 100 gal water, or 5 grams Escort + 1.5 floz NIS in 5 gal
water. Adding .5 fl oz PastureGard HL per gallon tank mix can increase control.
Burning sericea lespedeza in the fall is gaining interest across the state. Where herbicide
applications can cost upwards of $20 per acre, burning pastures can cost around $0.20 per acre.
Burning sericea while it is blooming or developing its seed in late-August to mid-September can
remove top growth, and prevent the plant from producing a viable seed.
Burning sericea can be a challenge for producers. In the Southwind district, tall fescue is
the dominant species, and is actively growing in August and September. It is often stockpiled
for late fall and winter grazing. In these situations, burning is not recommended.
Burning is recommended in non-ag situations, native pastures, and in pure stands of
sericea. If properly done, patches of pure stands of sericea can be burned in fescue pastures,
but the risk of the fire spreading is always there.
Burning also will cause scarification on the existing sericea seeds in the soil and cause
them to germinate, often appearing to make the situation worse.

While you are not able to prevent the new germination of sericea plants, you can use
this opportunity to kill the new, weak plants. Waiting 4 weeks after burning, you can go back to
the area and spray the new growth with herbicides containing Trycoplyr. A popular choice is
Remedy Ultra. Remedy Ultra can be broadcast sprayed at 1.5 pint/ acre, or spot sprayed at a 1
% solution vol/vol (1 gal of Remedy ultra/100gal water, or 6.5 fl oz in 5 gal of water).
Many landowners prefer to mow sericea. Repeated mowing can prevent the spread of
sericea and weaken the stand, but it will not likely kill the plants completely.
Mowing in the fall can follow the same ideas as burning. Mowing while the sericea is
blooming can prevent a viable seed from being produced. The new growth can then be sprayed
with Tricoplyr at the same rates mentioned above.
Producers have several options to try and control Sericea Lespedeza. Often times
greater percent control can be achieved by using more than one control method. For more
recommendations contact Chad Guthrie, Crop Production and Forage Management Agent, or
Hunter Nickell, Livestock Production Agent, at any Southwind Extension District Office. Office
Locations in Erie, Fort Scott, Iola, and Yates Center.

4-H members from the Southwind Extension District excelled at the annual Kansas 4-H Livestock Sweepstakes event on August 19-20 in Kansas State University’s Weber Hall. Participants from the Southwind Extension District were MaKinlee Bloesser, Hailey Shadden, Marley Sutton, McKinley Sutton, Kendyl Bloesser, Emery Yoho, Chanlynn Wrestler, Carly Dreher, Kyser Nemecek, Brady Hurt, Tate Crystal, Carla Nemecek (coach), Byron Fry, and Reegan McDaniel. The Southwind District is especially proud that 4-H members represented 4-H Clubs from Allen, Bourbon, Neosho, and Woodson Counties.

4-H members learned gained new knowledge and worked on livestock skills to be competitive in the Sweepstakes event which consisted of blending scores in four contests. Southwind Extension District completed the weekend by being named the 2023 Reserve Champion State 4-H Sweepstake Team. The top ten individual Sweepstakes winners for Southwind were Tate Crystal 3^rd; Reegan McDaniel 4^th and Carly Dreher 9^th after excelling in all contests.

The Livestock Quiz Bowl started with a qualifying exam. The twelve teams with the highest average scores advanced to the quiz bowl competition. Southwind #1 (Crystal, Dreher, Hurt, Nemecek) was seated first after the test and was later named the 3^rd Overall Quiz Bowl Team. Southwind #2 (Fry, Yoho, McDaniel, Wrestler) earned 6^th best team.

The Livestock Judging contest consisted of nine judging classes and four sets of reasons with 212 contestants and 41 teams from across Kansas. Southwind #1 (Dreher, Crystal, Hurt, Nemecek) was 1^st in Sheep; 1^st in Hogs; 3^rd in Cattle, and 1^st in Reasons and named Champion Team Overall. Individual livestock judging results are as follows:

• Brady Hurt – High Individual Reasons; 2^nd Sheep; 6^th Swine; 3^rd Overall
• Kyser Nemecek – 2^nd Reasons; High Individual Sheep; High Individual Swine; 5^th Overall
• Carly Dreher – 3^rd Reasons; 6^th Sheep; 3^rd Swine; 8^th Overall
• Tate Crystal – 9^th Reasons; 10^th Beef; 10^th Overall

The Meats Judging contest was based on the identification of thirty retail cuts, six placings classes, and three sets of reasons. The Intermediate Meats Judging Team continues to shine and was named Champion Team for the second consecutive year. Members include Hailey Shadden, Marley Sutton, Kendyl Bloesser, and MaKinlee Bloesser and they were 1^st in Placings; and 1^st in Retail ID. Individual intermediate meats judging results are as follows:

• Marley Sutton – 4^th Retail ID; 5^th Placings; 3^rd Overall
• Hailey Shadden – 1^st Retail ID; 4^th Overall
• MaKinlee Bloesser – 5^th Retail ID; 7^th Placings; 5^th Overall
• Kendyl Bloesser – 6^th Retail ID; 4^th Placings; 6^th Overall
• McKinley Sutton – 3^rd Placings; 9^th Overall

Senior Meats Judging results include: Southwind #1 (Fry, Crystal, McDaniel, Dreher) was 4^th in Placings, 3^rd in Reasons, 4^th in Retail ID and Third Team Overall. Individual senior meat judging results are as follows:

• Byron Fry – 5^th Retail ID; 4^th Overall
• Reegan McDaniel – 7^th Reasons
• Brady Hurt – 10^th Reasons

In the Livestock Skillathon, 4-H members rotated individually through stations that addressed six areas of animal science. Those included feedstuffs, breed identification, equipment identification, meat identification, wool evaluation, and a written test. There was also a team component where members worked together on evaluating quality assurance protocols and judging wool. Out of 30 teams and 156 individuals, Southwind #1 (Crystal, Dreher, Hurt, Nemecek) was 4^th in Exam, 2^nd in Practicum; and Reserve Champion Team Overall. Southwind #2 (McDaniel, Wrestler, Yoho, Fry) was 3^rd in Exam, 4^th in Practicum; 3^rd Team Overall. Southwind #3 (Sutton, Sutton, K. Bloesser, Shadden) was 6^th in Practicum and 11^th Overall Team. Individual Skillathon results are as follows:

• Reegan McDaniel – 4^th Exam; 5^th Practicum; 4^th Overall
• Tate Crystal – 4^th Practicum; 6^th Overall
• Hailey Shadden – 9^th Overall

This group worked hard and studied a great deal of material to prepare for four state contests. To be named the Champion Livestock Judging Team, Reserve and 3^rd Skillathon Teams, 3^rd & 6^th Quiz Bowl Team Teams, Champion Intermediate & 3^rd Senior Meats Judging Teams, and Reserve Champion Sweepstakes Team at the state contests shows how hard these 4-H members pushed each other to “Make the Best Better.”  The Southwind District is grateful for the support of their parents and very proud of their accomplishments and look forward to future growth and learning.

___________________________________________

K-State, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts, and U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating.  K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

By Clara Wicoff

Southwind Extension District

The recent miserably hot weather has had many (myself included) desperately looking forward to cooler temperatures. As I am writing this, more than half of the state of Kansas is under an excessive heat warning from the National Weather Service. According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, more than 100 Kansans are hospitalized each year as a result of heat stress. So, what can you do to beat the heat? Check out these tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

• Wear lightweight clothing.
• Stay in an air-conditioned space as often as possible. If you do not have air conditioning at home, remember that your local public library may serve as a cooling center!
• Protect yourself from the sun. Since sunburn can cause dehydration, be sure to wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen if you have to go outside.
• Never leave children or pets in a parked car. Try giving yourself visual cues to help prevent this from happening, such as always keeping a stuffed animal in your child’s car seat and then placing that stuffed animal in the front of the car with you after your child is buckled in.
• Stay hydrated. Do not wait until you are thirsty since the feeling of being thirsty lags behind your body’s need for water. To learn more about the importance of fluids to your health, visit bit.ly/ksreliquidassets to check out a recently released fact sheet from K-State Research and Extension.
• Keep your pets hydrated, too!
• Know the signs of heat-related illness. These can include (but are not limited to) confusion, dizziness, fainting, headache, losing consciousness, nausea or vomiting, and tiredness or weakness. Visit bit.ly/heatsigns to learn more about warning signs and what to do if someone shows these signs.

To learn more about hot weather tips from the CDC, visit bit.ly/cdchotweathertips. For more information, please contact me at [email protected] or 620-365-2242.

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Although many gardens are still producing, it is time to get our fall vegetables planted. Believe it or not, fall is a great gardening season!

When you think about it, fall weather is much like spring – warm daytime temperatures and cool nights. Rainfall is typically more abundant in the fall than summer so less irrigation is needed and fall gardens often have fewer insect pest and disease problems. Combine all of these and you have the ingredients for a great garden! And of most importance is the taste of the produce grown. Flavors of fall grown vegetables are often sweeter and milder in taste than those grown during hot summer weather.

Some of the best vegetables for a fall garden are lettuce, spinach, radishes, beets, cabbage, turnips and carrots because of their frost-tolerance. These vegetables can be planted directly into your garden wherever space can be found – next to plants still growing in the garden like tomatoes, cucumbers and pumpkins. Plant mid-August until the first week of September.

Left over seed from spring planting can be used as long as it was stored in a cool, dry location. To speed up germination and seedling emergence, soak the seeds overnight before planting. If you are purchasing new seed, look for the shortest season cultivars that you can find to insure harvest before a killing frost. The average fall freeze date for our area is around October 24 according to the Weather Data Library on the K-State campus.

Sometimes establishing a fall garden can be difficult during the summer when soil temperatures are extremely high. One way to avoid this is to establish plants in containers or pots for transplanting into the garden later in the season when the weather begins to cool. Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and collards can be grown in cooler protected areas for 2-4 weeks prior to setting in the garden. Be sure to acclimatize crops for several days before transplanting directly into the garden.

Garden soil should be prepared just like for spring. An application of fertilizer will probably be necessary for optimum plant growth. Use one pound of a complete analysis fertilizer, such as 12-12-12, applied per 100 square feet of garden area. Weeds and grasses will also grow well in a fall garden so mulching may be warranted.

If you do not have a traditional garden space, think about doing a container garden. Just about anything that will hold soil and have a drain hole in the bottom can be used.

Everyone gets geared up to plant vegetables in the spring, but the fall season offers many benefits to gardening. Few take advantage of the season, but consider giving it a try this year.

The Extension office has the “Vegetable Garden Planting Guide” publication available free of charge. This guide offers information such as days to first harvest, days to germination, planting depth, frost resistance, and more.

Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Horticulture agent assigned to Southwind District. She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer