The heat of the summer is when lawns do their best growing. When grasses are growing fast, like they are now, they need some nutrients to keep them growing. Warm season grass, even centipede, can use another dose of fertilizer this month to help them finish the growing season strong. If you have had a soil test and the results showed the phosphorous index (PI) to be over 50, then a low phosphorus fertilizer such as 15-0-15 will provide the needed nutrients.

If there are yellow spots in the turf, then consider a lack of iron as a possible issue. This can be a characteristic of sandy soils, like we have in this area. Apply some chelated iron to the area that is yellowing and see if that doesn’t green the grass up in a week or two. Yes, the results should be that quick if iron is deficient in that area.

When mowing the grass, be sure to never remove more than 1/3 of the height of the grass with each mowing. With the grass growing as fast as it is right now, that may mean raising the mower deck one more notch if you want to continue mowing once a week. Otherwise, mowing more frequently may be required so the grass isn’t cut too much.

Also, take a close look at the grass after the next mowing. If the tops of the blade, where it was cut, are jagged and not smooth, then it’s time to sharpen the lawnmower blades to get a cleaner cut.