21st Year No. PS 102 T.M. REO PUBLISHED FIVE TIMES YEARLY FOR LAWNTHUSIASTS FALL IS BEST FIX-UP TIME FALL offers natural grass growing advantages in practically all sections of the country. Whether it's Minnesota or Georgia, Maine or California, the season after Labor Day brings shorter days, cooler nights, heavier dews and favorable rains. At the same time the soil is warm and there is enough good sunshine and moisture to germinate new seeds and nurture them into deep- rooting plants. On the West Coast, the months of September through December precede a period of usually desirable rains. Na- ture co-operates to the fullest in trying to make every seed produce a vigorous plant. Those who work in the flower gar- sturdily den know that early fall is the time to sow perennials. The young plants grow slowly but the cooler weather, developing a good root struc- ture with only limited topgrowth. So it is with the better varieties of grass which are perennial. in In the more severe climates, winter may be hard on growing things, but plants are endowed by Nature to for- tify themselves against cold by build- ing up food reserves in preparation for dormancy. The accompanying illustration shows that seed is safely sown in the latitude of central Ohio even as late as Decem- ber. Such results are not limited to Ohio. Many state experiment stations October, November and December seedings have all given good results as these SCOTTS Test Plot pictures show. Seeds in upper plots did not germinate until Spring, 1948, but produced excellent stands well before summer. 2 report the same results, as have home owners and landscape contractors. Year old plots are pictured and these bear out similar observations over a period of 25 years. In practical application, it is some- times impossible to sow new lawns as late as December because the soil is not in condition to be worked. The test plots pictured had been prepared ear- lier in the season and the seed was simply scattered over the area in early December without raking or covering. The real point is that it is all right to go ahead with seeding whenever the soil is ready. New Lawns or Old Experienced builders of new lawns are well aware of the many advantages of fall planting. Supervisors of large turf areas such as school campuses, city parks, golf courses and cemeteries, like- wise protect their sizeable lawn invest- ments by planting in the fall. New home owners will do well to take a tip from them. Emphasis should not be placed entirely on new lawns, however. This is also the best time to repair lawns already planted. It requires only a few pounds and a few minutes to over- seed old lawns, yet such an overseeding once or twice a year will greatly im- prove turf that has been thinned out from summer heat and insects and dis- eases as well as lack of moisture. It will increase the lawn's resistance to weeds and is by far an easier job than completely renovating or rebuilding a lawn that was allowed to run down and get weedy. Time to Fight Bermuda Grass In localities of mild climate where Bermuda Grass is a persistent pest, fall is a strategic season to gain the offen- sive. Bermuda begins to lose its aggres- siveness then and often goes into dor- mancy. It turns an ugly brown and SCOTTS LAWN CARE can be readily distinguished. Home owners who never suspected it was get- ting started in their lawns can spot it when it loses color and attack it while it is still a minor problem. Infested areas should be vigorously renovated and desirable grass started while Bermuda is weak and non- competitive. Then when the Devil Grass starts activity again the follow- ing spring, it wakes up to find strong opposition from a well established turf that has been thickening up all winter long. Other Lawn Work, Too The fall months of the year call for other lawn work in addition to seed- ing. It is a good time to get rid of broad-leaved weeds. Some varieties are more vulnerable in the fall than at any other time. Moreover, after the weed control gets in its licks, there is opportunity to sow seed and start new grass in spots left by departed weeds. is Fall feeding important. Slow rains soak nutrient materials into the ground, nourishing roots to deeper growth and building up winter re- serves. Late Fall Maintenance Hints Where leaves are a problem, mow the grass shorter than has been the practice during hot summer months. It makes it easier to rake or sweep off the leaves. With the return of hot weather in the spring, the mower should again be adjusted for high cut- ting. Leaves ought to be removed fre- quently, especially from new seedings, and from the softer grass growing under trees. If not, rains may mat them so they smother the grass. Some varieties of trees shed leaves all winter. These leaves create a special problem if they are flattened against the ground and then freeze. Grass plants underneath are sure to succumb. NUMBER PS 102 It is well to continue mowing any lawn as long as the grass continues growing. Fall or winter is a good time to apply lime, if needed, and for applica- tions of grub controls, if such difficulty is anticipated. Spreaders Are Handy Anyone with a lawn to build or maintain should consider adding a mechanical spreader to his equipment. These two-wheeled carts are avail- able in such precision construction that they can be used not only for distrib- uting lawn food or lime, but also for sowing seed. A simple adjustment regulates the rate of flow and applica- tion is more uniform than even an expert can achieve by hand-broadcast- ing. They eliminate the dangers and waste of over-application. Their cost is small and a good one will last for many years.- Oxalis Problem Still Unsolved Last month LAWN CARE printed a small illustration of Oxalis, a lawn weed that ranks along with Crabgrass and Bermuda Grass as a lawn weed of annoying tenacity. If you have suc- cessfully eliminated or even controlled it in your lawn, other LAWN CARE readers will appreciate knowing how. "About the second season of my lawn, it developed or got small amount of Oxalis or Sour Grass. I was un- able to contact anybody who could enlighten me on removal of this weed. infested with a "One of the newspapers printed an answer to this query. Scatter about 3 pounds of lime to 10 x 10 foot square. It would slowly drive Oxalis out. I tried this remedy about six months and used over 60 pounds of hydrated lime. is now heavily infested and I have to mow this area frequendy to keep flowering and seeding. It proved futile. This lawn it from "Another person stated there was no remedy and the best thing to do was to use Diesel oil on the lawo? destroying all vegetation. 3 Then recondition the soil and plant a new lawn. "Someone else stated Oxalis had been killed by spraying with a solution of Ammonium Sulphate, using one pound to a gallon of water. I haven't experimented with this yet. "The weed is readily detected when the dew is on the lawn in early morning. I put a small wood stake marker on these spots. When the lawn is dry I start operating. The leaves and stems are very tender and break off easily. I trace the stems back to the lat- eral to which the weed is attached. This lat- eral has a pinkish color. They run from an inch to possibly 10 inches according to the time they have been developing from seed. This also has to do with the number of laterals from the root, which at times are quite numerous."—San Diego, California. "In Scotts LAWN CARE, I noticed an 'How Do You Fight This Lawn item, I have a Weed?' Oxalis is then described. four acre place with an acre or more of lawn and flower beds. This lawn has not yet been attacked, but almost every flower bed we have has within the last two years been infested with Oxalis and it is increasing so rapidly that we have found only one way to even attempt to eradicate it and that is by spading or trow- eling and sifting out by hand the upturned soil to get out and destroy the small bulbs of the plants. "If through any replies to the article in LAWN CARE you are informed of anything that will destroy this weed, I shall appreciate it very much if you will let me know."—Ath- erton, California. "My two pet Muscovy ducks completely eliminated Oxalis. They also control snails, slugs, pill bugs and many other pests. There are very few of some 200 varieties of desired plants in the yard which they harm."—Glen- dale, Calif. This weed is resistant to the new weed controls but perhaps some of you have tried other chemicals or worked out successful mechanical methods. As a sort of clearing house for lawn infor- mation, SCOTTS will welcome your experiences. Just write to Scotts Lawn Care, Palo Alto, California. "I have seen one of your bulletins on LAWN CARE and think it is very good. I have lowered the roller on my mower and the lawn looks better already."—Salt Lake City, Utah. RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS IN AGRICULTURE No Split Atoms for Lawns—Yet The Atomic Energy Commission and the U.S. Department of Agricul- ture are studying the effect of radio- active materials on growth of plants. Experiments previously conducted in Europe and America have been con- flicting and inconclusive. Reports of exceptionally good crops near Nagasaki have stimulated interest in the problem. Investigations by quali- fied scientists, however, failed to reveal a basis for the claim that radiation from the atomic bomb benefited crops. Even if there is some indication of improved crop growth, the problem of effect on seed germination will require serious study, to mention just one of the accompanying problems. SIRS: I am purchasing a new home under con- struction. According to the contract the lawn is to be done by the builder. that many contractors use only But I plan to buy the seed for it is under- stood the cheapest grass seed that can only provide a troublesome lawn in the long run. By furnishing him with good quality Scotts Seed at this time, I feel confident I will be well rewarded with a permanent lawn around my new home for the small additional ex- pense involved. Valley Stream, L. I. ROBERT J. BROWN *" "Just a line to tell you our experience with your Lawn Food plus Weed Control was all and more than we expected. To my mind this is a distinct achievement in a weed-killer. We ordered a second drum to treat an addi- tional plot of ground badly infested with weeds."—Marysville, Washington. SCOTTS LAWN CARE LAWN CARE has been published con- tinuously since 1928. The data in the older issues have been brought up- to-date and con- densed into a »twelve chapter digest edition. This can be had in a sturdy loose leaf ring binder at one dollar, post- including paid, the complete digest and the separate issues of recent publication. The same bulletins are available in a paper bound file at twenty-five cents. "I am sure glad we used your grass seed on our front and back yard and dense shade seed at the side of the house. We have a gor- geous green, beautiful lawn. A real 1948 new look. We in LAWN CARE."—Los Angeles, California. learn a great deal What Have You Done About Crabgrass? The wet, late spring in many sec- tions has made Crabgrass grow more vigorously than ever. It is still diffi- cult of control but basically all that is needed is to keep it from seeding. The editors of LAWN CARE would like to hear of new experiences in Crabgrass Control, particularly from those who may have tried chemical treatment. Of particular interest will be time and number of treatments, ease of application, results as measured by effect on desirable grasses as well as Crabgrass. O M SCOTT & SONS CO. M A R Y S V I L LE - - O H IO EVERY PACKAGE OF SCOTTS LAWN CARE PRODUCTS BEARS THIS TRADE • MARK AND IS SEALED FOR YOUR PROTECTION