Home > Lawn & Garden > Home Gardening > Lawns > Cultural Information > Irrigating Louisiana Lawns and Turf [Image: ET and Rainfall] Louisiana has an abundant supply of water; even so, the demand for water sometimes exceeds the amount readily available. This publication will help homeowners and turf managers make better irrigation choices as to when to irrigate and how much. Observe Your Fall Lawn To Take Preventive Action Fall is not a time to do much to your Louisiana lawn – mow, remove fallen leaves and irrigate as needed. Warm-season grasses are slowing down and trying to go dormant. "We must let them do so," says LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske. Falling Leaves – Pretty, But Dangerous To Waterways [Image: Fall leaves] Grass clippings are a constant in yard maintenance, but fall introduces leaves into the mix. This year the nuisance is worse because hurricanes and storms have defoliated more trees. Louisiana Lawns Best Management Practices (BMPs) [Image: Louisiana Lawns BMPs] Following the best management practices (BMPs) given here should help keep your lawn in good condition. A healthy and properly cared for lawn will resist weeds and other pest problems; thus, a minimum of pesticide products will be needed. Basic lawn care consists of proper fertilizing, watering and mowing and appropriate pest management, as needed.  more articles... Use Sod For Quick Repair Of Damaged Lawns "A patch of dead grass, even a small one, in an otherwise acceptable lawn can be an eyesore and a weed magnet," says LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske. Use turfgrass to patch the lawn. It’s easy, immediate and permanent and checks soil erosion. Pay Attention To Seed Analysis Tag When Buying Grass Seed Starting a lawn from seed is a tough proposition even when all things are done right. Poor fertility, too much or too little moisture, rain washouts, ants, weeds and disease all can cause havoc during establishment. Dormant Sodding Possible, But Chancy Mid-spring through summer is the best time for sodding, but dormant-season sodding can be successful, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske. Planting dormant grass is simply riskier. Culture Calendar for Warm Season Grasses The cultural activites for lawn care may be the same on warm-season and cool-season grasses, but they are often 180 degrees opposite in timing. This chart covers Louisiana with its two cold hardiness zones. Recommended cultural activities in north vs. south Louisiana will vary by two to four weeks in when they start and end because of the start of spring and fall seasons. Culture Calendar for Cool Season Grasses The cultural activites for lawn care may be the same on warm-season and cool-season grasses, but they are often 180 degrees opposite in timing. This chart covers the entire state of Louisiana with its two cold hardiness zones. Recommended cultural activities in north vs. south Louisiana will vary by 2 to 4 weeks in when they start and end because of the start of spring and fall seasons. Turfgrass Establishment [Image: Pressing sprigs] A beautiful lawn doesn't happen by chance. It requires planning and some elbow grease. Tune up Landscape Irrigation [Image: irrigate] A properly designed and operated irrigation system will ensure that the critical factor of soil moisture will be there to sustain healthy plant growth. Take Action To Avoid Lawn Problems Associated With Drought Dry conditions often persist in most parts of Louisiana this time of year and into the summer, but LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske says there are actions you can take to avoid the lawn problems associated with drought. Lawn Mower Blades [Image: zoysia] A sharp mower blade produces a prettier cut with less stress on the turf plant. Sharpening a reel mower blade assembly is difficult and best left to a professional, but sharpening a common rotary mower blade is not a big problem. Investigating Problem Turfs Turf problems can be categorized as cultural (man-made), environmental or pest-related. Often two or more of these factors contribute to the problem. More...