A midsummer night's dream

"Lord what fools these mortals be." - Puck (III.ii.115) in William Shakespeare's Midsummer night's dream.

It is doubtful that the Bard, ever considered southern Utah landscape maintenance when he penned this classic and bawdy comedy masterpiece. However, just as a rose by any other name is still a rose, a true statement by any other interpretation continues to be a true statement.

In southern Utah, at the height of our extreme heat, clay soil and quest for green grass, we foolishly attempt outlandish to out-duel mother nature. When summer heat and stress are prevalent, we seem unable to accept the browning of grass and wilting of shrubs without a fight.

So fighting on we go. One of the normal responses to extreme temperatures this time of year is to add additional minutes and start times to our irrigation routine. This is all well and good except mother nature often foils the foolish mortal with a new and better problem.

One of the only ways to keep turf grass green this time of year is to increase water. However, regular morning watering does not allow sufficient absorption to prevent root zone drying and surface scorch. So, we add additional watering times for early evening. That mitigates the drying cycle and deepens the overall water penetration at the root zone.

Unfortunately, the night-time watering is also the final ingredient in the recipe for a midsummer night-mare. Dark, warm and wet puts the fun in fungus!

Once fungus is present, there is a protracted battle to isolate and control the condition. Preventative chemical treatment is required as is sanitation practices to quarentine spread to other areas.

If you are unsure if your brown spots are fungus or caused by some other issue, consult a local resource such as a Master Gardner, commercial landscaper, horticulturalist or other expert to help you to identify and treat for the problem.

Of course, the best way to combat fungus is to have a healthy organism in the first place. But if you see browning, and have (1) checked water delivery (minutes, frequency and efficacy), (2) ruled out other pests (grubs, dogs and contaminants), then fungus is the next likely culprit this time of year.

Anti-fungal chemicals, properly used and applied according to the application rate indicated on the label, can defineatly help your lawn look its best.

Check with your landscaper, local nursery or county extension office for more help with establishing a pro-active chemical budget. Good luck and remember:

If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended:
That you have but slumbered here,
While these visions did appear;
And this weak and idle theme,
No more yielding but a dream,
Gentles, do not reprehend.
If you pardon, we will mend.
- Puck (V. Epilogue. 1–8) in William Shakespeare's Midsummer night's dream.