I guestimate that the popularity of my radio show has to do with the variety of topics I choose to cover, because they’re things that I’m curious about, and also in large part due to my excellent guests who are experts in their fields!

With a transition in season comes many lawn questions. I recently visited with esteemed UGA Extension Turfgrass Specialist Clint Waltz, and we covered a lot of ground on the radio show... pun intended there!

First, some good news for homeowners with a fescue lawn. You’re not too late if you’re hoping to overseed! You’ve got until mid-November Clint says. As you prepare, he recommends first mowing tall fescue down to open the canopy up. Seed to soil contact is so important, and aeration helps with that. Germination could be as quick as 5-7 days for fescue seed right now. And Clint makes a good point that irrigation may be best for it rather than rainfall, because rain can move the seed around. Consistent irrigation helps to keep seed uniform. Plan to irrigate your newly seeded lawn for at least the first 2-3 weeks, and a point of emphasis from Clint - “When it comes to germination, there is no pause button. The seed has to be kept wet.” And finally, for the first mowing, you’ll want to mow the grass 3 to 3 1/2 inches high.

We also discussed things to NOT do now. If you have a warm-season lawn, you don’t fertilize at this time. These grasses are going dormant, so don’t feel pressured to apply a winterizer product that promotes high nitrogen. But Clint says a dose of fertilizer high in potassium could help with disease prevention and winter hardiness.

Parting words of wisdom from Clint for avoiding problems with your lawn: “You can solve about 80% of your turf problems with two things- one is ‘right plant, right place’ and second is site prep. We till 3-4″ to work the soil up, and then we never seed back into those plots. And, if you can amend organic material into the top 2-3″, that would be excellent too.”

And stay tuned for mine and Clint’s visit to Rivermont Golf Club in Johns Creek. We’ll pick the brain of Golf Course Superintendent Mark Hoban. Listen back to my two hours with Clint from 10/15/22 here: https://www.wsbradio.com/on-demand/green-growing-podcast/

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