With spring in the air, residents of Covington County may be looking for ways to promote a greener lawn. Here are some tips from local and state horticulture specialist.

Ellen Huckabay, a regional horticulture agent with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, said one important thing is knowing what types of grasses to grow in this climate.

“We mainly grow the four warm season grasses, which are Centipede, St. Augustine, Zoysia and Bermuda in Alabama,” Huckabay said. “The warm season grasses actively grow during the hot summer months, drastically reduce their growth in the cooler spring and fall and stop growing altogether in the winter (but they’re not dead, just dormant).”

When planning to sow seeds or purchase sod, it’s important to consider the best time to do so. Alabama has a relatively warm climate year-round, but unpredictable winter weather can unexpectedly and severely damage the warm season grasses.

“If it was my money and my yard, I’d wait until mid- to late April before I laid sod or planted and seed,” said Huckabay.

It’s also important to know what type of soil the grass will be in. Different soils may need additional nutrients added to them to properly grow the grass.

Knowing when and how to prevent weeds is another crucial part of having a green lawn.

“It’s important to know what chemicals to use and when,” Andalusia Garden Center owner Casey Teel said. “Different types of grasses require different types of fertilizer. For instance, Bermuda takes 13-13-13.”

Getting the timing right is another necessary part of lawn care. Pre-emergent herbicide should be applied in February and then wait to fertilize the soil in May. Over water and fertilizing grass too early in the spring can lead to problems for the lawn down the road. Warm season grasses only require one inch of water per week, whether from a sprinkler or rain, according to Huckabay.