Question
QUESTION: I have Shamel Ash Trees in my yard and am having trouble keeping the lawn green. I understand that the shade may effect the lawn growth, especially bermuda, but someone told me that the Ash secreets a poison into the soil that deters growth of grass.  Is this true?

ANSWER: No the ash does not secrete a "poison". Bermuda grass does not grow well under a shade. They will not tolerate shade and require almost full sunlight. Bermudagrass lawns under shade will gradually thin out and disappear over time.

You might try fertilizing the grass. To look their best, bermudagrasses require a properly planned fertilization program. Soil-test every 1 to 2 years to determine when and how much lime and fertilizer are needed. This will help maintain the proper soil pH between the desired range of 6.0 to 6.5 and keep the phosphorous and potassium at recommended levels.

Generally, you have to fertilize bermudagrasses more than other turfgrasses used for lawns to maintain their appearance, durability, and growth. Fertilizers containing nitrogen stimulate bermudagrass growth and result in a darker green lawn. Ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, urea, and other water-soluble nitrogen fertilizers are often used on bermudagrass lawns; however, these "fast-release" nitrogen fertilizers will burn turfgrasses if they are applied too heavily or applied to wet turf. To avoid burning the turf, do not apply more than 1 pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of turf per fertilizer application. Experts recommend a complete fertilizer, which is one that contains nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium.

Since fertilizers vary in their nitrogen content, the amount needed to supply 1 pound of nitrogen depends on the source used. To determine the amount of a particular fertilizer needed to supply 1 pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet, divide the percentage of nitrogen in the fertilizer into 100. For example, ammonium nitrate contains 34 percent nitrogen (34-0-0), so approximately 3 pounds of ammonium nitrate would be needed per 1,000 square feet to apply 1 pound of nitrogen (100?4=2.94).

Always apply fertilizers to dry turf to prevent burning, and water the turf immediately after application to dissolve the fertilizer. "Slow-release" nitrogen fertilizers do not dissolve readily in water and usually are more expensive than fast-release fertilizers. However, slow-release fertilizers can be applied at higher application rates and not burn the turf because the nitrogen is released slowly. Also, the turf will maintain its green color over a longer period of time with slow-release fertilizers. The amount and frequency of fertilizer applications are largely based on the fertilizer's use, the level of desired quality, and the type of fertilizer used.

If you want a lawn that requires less maintenance but is still a quality lawn, apply 2 pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of bermudagrass per year. Use a complete fertilizer (containing nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium) such as 16-4-8, 13-13-13, or 10-10-10 at least two times a year during late spring (April or May) and late summer (July or August).

A moderate maintenance fertility program requires applying 4 pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn. Apply 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet in April, June, August, and October.

Potassium helps turfgrasses survive stress. Bermudagrasses growing in sandy soils may need 1 pound of potassium per 1,000 square feet of lawn per year. September is a good time to apply potassium to ensure winter survival and improve cold tolerance. Use a fertilizer such as a 15-0-15 or 10-20-20 for this fall application of potassium.

To produce a high-quality, dark green bermudagrass lawn, experts recommend applying 6 pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn per year. Apply a complete fertilizer such as 16-4-8, 13-13-13, or 10-10-10 once a month starting in late March or April through September. As with the moderate maintenance program, apply potassium in the fall to improve the winter survival and cold tolerance of bermudagrasses. Table 2 shows a suggested fertilization schedule for bermudagrass lawns.



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QUESTION: Is there a grass other than Bermuda that you would recommend for this lawn?

Answer
It would depend on your location. There are grasses that will grow in the South and other that will grow in cooler areas. I suggest trying the search the grass fro your area by going to Google.com and entering "shade tolerant grass in Ohio lawns" Replace Ohio with your location and you should get a web link to this information. OR IF you are in the US check the local phone book for the State extension Service and give them a call. They will be able to recommend a grass that will grow in your area.