Lawn care important for Peterson residents Published Aug. 8, 2008 By Meryl Large Tierra Vista Communities PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Along with regular upkeep of a home, regular maintenance of the lawn and exterior landscaping is a necessity, Tierra Vista Communities is reminding residents to pay close attention to the exterior of their home and take any necessary actions to preserve and maintain their lawns. This year's weather conditions have made it especially important to pay attention to outdoor upkeep, as a cold winter and a dry summer have left the sod here in bad condition, said Jason Sheldon, a contract manager for Embassy Lawn who has been working with Peterson for more than 10 years. "This past winter brought extremely cold and dry temperatures, resulting in a lot of winter kill in the sod at Peterson," said Mr. Sheldon. "In addition, we have not received the afternoon rainfall that this region is accustomed to, which is adding to the dryness of the sod and compounding the problem." According to Mr. Sheldon, Kentucky blue grass can survive on watering three or four times a week, but during dry, hot and windy days, longer and more frequent watering may be needed. The TVC resident guide suggests residents should water in the early morning or evening and apply water only as fast as the soil can absorb it, so it doesn't pool or run off. Residents should pay attention to weather conditions; if it has rained one-quarter to one-half of an inch, watering can be delayed. They should also watch their grass for signs of dryness or over watering and adjust accordingly, Mr. Sheldon said. Signs of weakening grass include: Dark blue/silverfish color: This change develops in the early stages of wilt and can be reversible with very little consequence if water is applied immediately. Silver or gray color: This progression of wilt is the plant begging for water and, while reversible, will turn brownish straw colored before new green growth begins. Water immediately and increase the watering schedule. Brown or straw colored: This is the color of dormancy. When the grass turns this color, in some cases it is still alive and will green up when sufficient water is added to the lawn. This green-up period will take between two and three weeks; however, some is dead and will not green up. TVC provides some lawn care services for residents, but it is each household's responsibility to keep the exterior of their home, lawn included, in good condition, said Jim Mullen, TVC project director. The lawns in front of houses slated for demolition will not likely be pulled up and re-used elsewhere, because, TVC officials said, the probability of the sod surviving a move is minimal, But that doesn't mean the grass should be neglected, Mr. Mullen said. "We want all of our residents to be proud of the home they live in and maintaining their yard is one way to demonstrate this commitment, even homes that may be on the demolition list," he said. Within the next week, all residents will receive a letter from TVC explaining the lawn care policy and ways to help preserve your grass. Any further questions or comments can be addressed by calling the TVC office at (719) 597-7200.