Lawn specialist offers tips for repairing storm-damaged lawns

For many Louisiana homeowners, a devastated lawn is just another sad reminder of the dire 2020 hurricane season.
The lawns were damaged by fallen trees and heavy equipment used to clean and repair the house.
Ron Strahan, lawn specialist at LSU AgCenter, urged homeowners not to get impatient.
"There isn't much to do at the moment. If it were late October or even early January, perennial ryegrass could be planted as temporary cover for bare areas, but it's a little late for ryegrass, "Strahan said.
Modernization is an option that can be done now, although Strahan said it was much more expensive.
Many lawns were already stressed before the hurricanes, Strahan said.
"The lawns were already prone to the bad weather of a severe tropical earthworm infestation that was relentless until our nighttime temperatures hit the 1950s," he said.
St. Augustine's lawns were also damaged by an outbreak of hairy beetles in late summer and fall.
"Multiple hurricanes were just the icing on the cake," he said.
Strahan said preparations can now begin to have a garden ready to grow new herbs or to help the herb recover. It is recommended to start with a soil test.
"If you don't feel well, your doctor will order blood tests," he says. "This is exactly why we do soil testing and sampling to see why your lawn is not performing well. The results of the soil tests will tell you what is lacking in soil nutrients and whether pH adjustments are needed. ""
He said that the pH of the soil can now be treated with lime to raise the pH or elemental sulfur to lower the pH.
"Delaying fertilizer application until we're green in about two months," he said.
Soil sampling kits are available from community expansion offices, said Bradley Pousson, Cameron Parish County's agent.
Pousson said many residences in southwest Louisiana, like his own, have damaged backyards from hydraulic shovels and hoes, but their lawn is a low priority for their home as they need a new roof that hasn't returned to power.
Pousson said the cost of the first soil sample was $ 18 while testing two samples would cost $ 29 and $ 40 for three.
The kits contain instructions on how to collect samples and send them to the LSU AgCenter laboratory. He said that proper fertilization can restore a healthy lawn, but it shouldn't be done until late March through mid-April for the first application.
"St. Fertilize Augustinegrass again in June and possibly again in August. Re-fertilize the millipede in June or July if additional recovery is needed, "Pousson said.
He said aerating the turf floor might be necessary due to pedestrian traffic and the machines compacting the soil.
"Some soils are naturally prone to compaction, especially if they are rich in clay."
She recommends waiting until the growing season to use a rented aerator on your lawn.
"Ventilation can be the missing piece in restoring your lawn and part of an overall maintenance schedule that will take your lawn to the next level."
Strahan has suggestions for testing compacted soils.
"Try driving a medium-sized screwdriver into the ground. If you feel a lot of resistance, soil compaction is a problem and weakens the roots of the lawn, "Strahan said. "Stressing the roots through compaction always leads to poor lawn health."
He said it might need to ventilate several times, but it will soon pay off.
He said severely damaged lawns may require seedlings or grass to restore the lawn. Planting options are limited to centipedes, prairie, or maybe zenith zoysia grass, he said, but there aren't any seeds for St. Augustine grass.
Strahan said the planting shouldn't be done until April. Do a soil test with grass or sowing and prepare the soil first.
In Louisiana, lawn can be grown year round. For more information on grass on the lawn, please visit http://bit.ly/agcentersodlawn .
"The grass will likely be dormant or semi-dormant at this point. Don't expect green grass in January and February, "he says.
The grass is sold by the pallet, which covers 450 square feet, he said, with St. Augustine and Zoysiagrass costing up to $ 200-250 per pallet shipped and the millipede about $ 150 or more per pallet.
"Turf or overseed is the last resort," said Strahan. "Most problems can be drastically resolved by improving cultural practices."
Strahan emphasized that patience and diligence are essential.
"Don't judge your lawn by what you see in late January. Get a soil sample now. If necessary, address the pH of the soil before the end of winter. Fertilize and air out your lawn properly during the growing season, "he says. "Your lawn will be beautiful by July 4th in time for the fireworks and BBQ."

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