 |
The recent cold snap should have little long term effect on the turf portion of the landscape. Our cool-season grasses are more than capable of withstanding weather like this, though newly emerged seedlings may suffer some damage from the cold and/or wind. Wind or desiccation damage may also be seen on fast growing tall fescue or perennial ryegrass that is above the rest of the turf canopy (photo). Frost damage on turf occurs with traffic over frosted areas, but this seems improbably with the windy conditions. This cold should also have little long term effect on populations of weeds, diseases, and insects. A positive aspect is that the cold will likely kill any young crabgrass that has germinated next to sidewalks last week. The cold will have no effect on fertilizer or preemergence herbicides already applied, but postemergence herbicides for dandelions should be delayed until the weather warms up and dandelions are in or close to bloom in your area. These late cold snaps can cause headaches for those managing warm season grasses and bermudagrass in particular, but unfortunately damage will not become evident until the stands fully green up in late April or May.