Grass Growth Cycles

Bluegrass, ryegrass, and fescue which we find in lawns in this area are known as cool-season grasses because they thrive in the cool temperatures of spring and fall. They are stressed by summer heat and drought and by winter cold.

In the spring grass plants are recovering from winter dormancy and they draw on reserves of energy stored in the root system the previous fall. Those reserves are restored with spring feeding. The plant needs these nutrients for spring growth and to replenish roots which are storing more energy for summer.

Summer brings insects, heat and dry winds which put lawns under heat and drought stress. Grass plants may become dormant as a way to survive. Dormancy protects the lawn for four to six weeks but if water is not supplied many plants will die. High phosphorus, slow release fertilizer at this time strengthens the root system and replaces energy used to survive summer stress and recover from dormancy.

Grass thrives in the fall and develops many new roots and shoots which cause the lawn to thicken. Fall feeding supports this active growth.

In the late fall top growth slows down and stops, but the root system is active and uses plant foods to make carbohydrates which are stored in the roots. A high potassium fertilizer at this time has been shown to improve winter survival and hasten spring green-up when the whole process starts again.

Leisure Lawn recognizes the different nutritional needs of the lawn at different times of the year and our plant food formulas are designed to provide for those needs so the lawn will thrive.