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This Speakout has not been edited.

Many people are experiencing brown or straw coloring on their lawns. During the height of summer, this is not unusual. However, many people attempt to correct the problem by increasing the amount of water they apply. This may lead to wasting water without receiving benefits.

In some cases, improper or infrequent fertilization may be the culprit. In the Rocky Mountain region, most lawns are comprised of cool-season grasses.

For cool-season grasses (Kentucky bluegrasses, fescues), it’s best to aerate and fertilize the lawn before the grass gets going in April. If you choose to fertilize only once, feed in the fall - if twice, then in spring and fall. If you desire a green lawn from spring to fall, then fertilize four times per year, early spring, late spring, late summer and mid-fall.

Another common problem is the manner in which water is being delivered to your lawn. You may be missing spots. You may be watering during the day when much of the water is evaporated.

To conserve water and water most efficiently, water uniformly, deeply and infrequently in the early morning or evening hours. You may verify watering uniformity by utilizing 4 to 6 flat-bottomed, straight-sided cans as gauges with a ruler and a watch. Arrange the gauges at random distances away from any sprinkler, but all within the area you assume is being covered.

Run the sprinkler for a specific time (pop-up spray heads 15 minutes, rotors – 30 minutes). Then measure the amount of water in each can, checking for uniformity. Some variation is expected, but a difference of 10 percent or more between any two gauges must be addressed by adjusting your sprinkler coverage, or repairing the sprinkler heads.

Other problems may require the assistance of a professional. The Rocky Mountain Sod Growers Association is comprised of experts who use science and experience to provide quality advice concerning sod installation, lawn care and water conservation.

For more information, please visit our educational website located at www.rockymountainsodgrowers.com.

Ed Markham is president of the Rocky Mountain Sod Growers Association in Berthoud.

READER COMMENTS

Incredibile that the reason for yellow and stressed lawns are because "people are watching Mexican soaps"?

The discussion that is taking place here is how to care for the lawns we have.

Now some idiot lowers the discussion to issues of immigration and deportation.

I say get a life and quite worrying about what your neighbors might be watching.

My lawn is well taken care but even with that, i would not want this idiot who can't discuss a civil discussion on lawn care without inserting the reasons for poor lawn care as "deportations and watching Mexican soaps."

We certainly have reached a new low to consider that the reasons we as a country have problems are always beccause of the "immigration problem."

What are we going to do with the folks who are watching neighbors instead of their lawns? With our little spys watching, one just wonders what is cooking in their little brains.

First step is to deport, then work with what you have left.

What can you do to restore a decimated lawn. Not one that has straw color, but the ones that have turned into straw? What would the steps be to restore?

Slopoke, thanks for the info but I doubt the one's who need to see it will. You see the dish on the houses that need the help are tuned into the Mexican soap's. You know the one's, it's evident.

PBS has many programs on TV that show how to obtain and keep a lush lawn for cheep. Jerry Baker has tips that work great and the sources he uses are found in every household. Sugar, beer, detergent and ammonia are just a few. Did you know that tea makes water wetter? Lemon scented detergent and Ammonia keeps the Mosquitoes away.

PBS has many programs on TV that show how to obtain and keep a lush lawn for cheep. Jerry Baker has tips that work great and the sources he uses are found in every household. Sugar, beer, detergent and ammonia are just a few. Did you know that tea makes water wetter? Lemon scented detergent and Ammonia keeps the Mosquitoes away.

Excellent advice. We were wondering what to do with our lawn because it is going through the stage of hot summer heat. Our only hope seems to wait under late summer (are we there yet?) to fertilze the lawn. And then get on a regular schedule. Thanks for the advice.

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