NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 11, 1998
THIRD LANDSCAPE CARY STYLE FOCUSES ON CHOOSING THE BEST GRASS FOR THIS AREA
CARY, NC -- The Town of Cary is continuing its summer water conservation campaign by distributing its third issue of Landscape Cary Style--a monthly Town publication which discusses different landscaping topics that promote good water practices. Remaining topics include planting drought-resistant trees and shrubs and proper soil preparation. Each issue of Landscape Cary Style is posted in its entirety on the Town’s website as well as distributed to the media. Pocket-size versions go to Cary homeowners via utility bills, and displays have also been placed in participating lawn & garden centers, including: Apex Nurseries, Cary Garden Center, Fairview Greenhouses & Garden Center, Garden Supply Company, Family Home and Garden, Ace Hardware, Home Depot, Lowe's Garden Center, Kmart Garden Center, Target Garden Center, WalMart Garden Center, Cloer Nursery Company, and Campbell Road Nursery.
"We continue to get very positive feedback about Landscape Cary Style," said Jennifer Platt, Cary’s Water Conservation Specialist." This is a particularly important edition because much of our peak water use could be reduced if people used drought tolerant grasses."
Landscape Cary Style is part of Cary’s larger "Beat-the-Peak 98", the Town’s most comprehensive water conservation campaign to date. The goal of "Beat-the-Peak 98" is to significantly reduce Cary’s peak water demand by promoting wise water use, especially outdoors. This summer, demand on the Cary-Apex water system has climbed more than one hundred percent over average winter use, peaking on June 26th at 20.6 million gallons of treated water.
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PRIMARY CONTACTS: Jennifer Platt, Water Conservation Specialist, 462-3872
Bill Coleman, Town Manager, 469-4002
Susan Moran, Public Information Officer, 460-4951
MEDIA NOTE: THE 3 PAGE LCS FOLLOWS THIS RELEASE.
Keeping It Green!
Using Drought Tolerant Grasses
A lush, green lawn is something many homeowners want, but developing a yard that’s the envy of your neighborhood involves more than hard work. You need to choose the appropriate grass for your yard. Using drought tolerant grasses can be the key. These are hearty, wear-resistant grasses that stay green with less water - even in the heat of summer.
Your lawn has more plants per square foot than any garden space on your property. Think about your grass as millions of individual plants. Every grass plant needs room to grow, air for its root system, water during its active growth stage, fertilization and proper maintenance.
Consider several factors before choosing a drought tolerant grass - your soil and how much sunlight your lawn receives. Test your soil before seeding to incorporate needed amendments like limestone because a healthy lawn starts with good soil preparation. The amount of direct sunlight your yard receives is another important factor.
There are two types of grasses – warm-season and cool-season grasses. Warm season grasses like Bermuda, Centipede, St. Augustine, and Zoysia are extremely drought and wear tolerant, and require little to no watering. They grow actively in the summer and go dormant in cooler weather, turning tan-colored from November through March. Warm season grasses are planted in the late spring to allow adequate establishment before winter.
Cool season grasses such as Fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass grow actively during the cooler months and go semi-dormant in the hotter months. Cool season grasses should be seeded in the fall. Seeding done during the spring usually has to be repeated in the fall.
Bermuda Grass - This warm-season grass is dormant during the winter but "greens up" quickly in the spring. It is a sod-forming grass that is very drought tolerant, growing low and dense. As the temperature rises, Bermuda grass grows faster. It prefers hot, sunny growing conditions and is available as seeds, sprigs, and sod. Note that planting Bermuda grass in shady areas will render poor results.
In North Carolina, Bermuda grass should be seeded in mid-spring about the time Dogwoods are blooming. Sprigging and sodding can be done two weeks after the grass greens up in spring and can continue through June. After planting Bermuda grass, soak your yard with one inch of water. Keep the soil moist until seeds germinate or until the sprigs begin vigorously growing. At that time, watering can be reduced to two irrigations per week. Once the grass is established, you only need to water one inch including rainfall, once a week.
Centipede Grass - This warm-season grass is distinguished by its "apple-green" or "lime-green" color. It’s slow-growing and makes a beautiful, low-maintenance lawn once established. Centipede grass grows well in full sun to partial shade and is commonly seen growing in the filtered shade of pine trees. Centipede tolerates acidic soil and has low fertilizer requirements.
In Cary, the best time to plant Centipede grass is between March and May. It normally takes 2-3 years for seeds to produce a mature lawn. Sod and plugs will establish more quickly. When you plant centipede grass, irrigate the lawn at least twice a week. Once established, watering one inch, once a week including rainfall is all that’s needed.
St. Augustine Grass - This course-leaf, warm-season grass grows in sunny and shady areas. It grows very fast in warm months, but will go dormant following the first frost. St. Augustine is medium-green and spreads quickly using runners to create a dense, wear-resistant lawn. The "Raleigh" variety has a strong cold tolerance and is well-suited for the Cary area.
It’s best to plant St. Augustine seeds, sprigs, or sod in April or May, shortly after the spring "greenup." Don’t plant too early because the grass needs warm soil to develop. St. Augustine grass can be planted in semi- to full-shaded areas where there is no heavy foot traffic. You need to thoroughly irrigate your yard after planting St. Augustine. Keep the soil moist during the first summer to prevent drought stress. Once established, you only need to water one inch a week including rainfall.
Zoysia Grass - If you’re looking for the perfect summer lawn - a lush green carpet under your feet - this warm-season grass is for you. Zoysia grass is very drought resistant, grows low, and is so thick weeds don’t stand a chance. This grass is cold hardy, wear resistant, and drought tolerant. It is slow to establish but has tremendous utility.
Zoysia likes hot, sunny areas and should be planted in the spring about two weeks after the spring greenup or in early summer. Sod is the best way to plant Zoysia. It can be seeded, but the process is slow. Like the other warm-season grasses, keep newly-planted Zoysia well watered. Irrigate daily during the first two weeks of growth, then weekly during the first growing season. Once established, Zoysia needs water only during summer drought periods.
Tall Fescue - This deep-green, cool-season grass is the most widely planted turf grass in North Carolina. Tall Fescue has an excellent heat and drought tolerance and requires full sun to survive. It is often a homeowner’s grass of choice because it is green throughout the winter. If you prefer Fescue grasses, ask your local garden center about drought tolerant varieties such as Rebel or Confederate brands that grow well in sun or partial shade.
Tall Fescue should be planted in the fall. Many landscape professionals plant in October because cooler temperatures are less stressful for the seedlings, and they require less water. It also allows the grass to develop deep roots by winter. Proper irrigation is the key to establishing Fescue lawns, especially in the fall when it can be hot and dry. The grass should be watered daily for about two weeks, then twice a week through the remainder of the fall. Once established, Fescue can survive up to three weeks without water. If you water it during the spring and summer, use a regular schedule of one inch a week including rainfall to prevent damage.
Mowing - The height you mow any grass is very important. You should always observe the 1/3 rule: never remove more than 1/3 of the grass height when mowing to promote overall drought resistance. Tall Fescue will not tolerate a close cut, and should be left about 3 inches tall. You can also leave grass clippings on your lawn to discourage weed germination, help preserve soil moisture and return organic matter to the soil.
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Town of Cary Water Conservation Program
Department of Public Works and Utilities
Conserve Because You CAN