Mowing: Mowing is a critical and often underappreciated cultural practice:

• Maintain Sapphire at 2"
• Mow every 7-10 days during the active growing season
• Mow as needed during all other periods
• Never cut more than 1/3 of the total length of the blade at any one mowing
• If a mowing is missed and clippings clump on top of the Sapphire, bag or vacuum clippings to reduce shade-out

Insecticides: Avoid stress from insects by performing insecticidal applications as needed:

• For any insecticide application, always read and follow label directions carefully
• Early identification and treatment of insect stress minimizes inputs and injury
• Make routine observations of the landscape, and be aware of seasonal pests like chinch bugs, webworms, armyworms, and grubs
• Control armyworms and webworms with Sevin, Orthene, Diazinon, or Pyrethroid-based products
• Control chinch bugs with Talstar
• Control grubs with Bayer Advanced Lawn® Season-Long Grub Control Ready-to-Spread Granules annually in the late spring
• Remember: Read labels for compliance

Herbicides: Proper mowing, irrigation and fertilization of Sapphire will reduce weed problems. If a weed problem persists:

• For any herbicide application, always read and follow directions carefully
• Improper use of herbicides can severely damage or kill Sapphire
• Make routine observations of the landscape being aware of seasonal weeds
• Identify the type of weed causing the problem before using any chemical controls
• Consult with local experts and see Problem Solving for herbicide applications

Fungicides: Although Sapphire exhibits good disease resistance, fungal problems can occur during prolonged periods of adverse environmental conditions.

• For any fungicide application, always read and follow label directions carefully
• Early identification and treatment of disease stress minimizes inputs and injury
• Make routine observations of the landscape being aware of unusual symptoms
• Consider a broad-spectrum fungicide application if predictable seasonal problems are noted
• Consult with local experts and view Problem Solving for fungicide recommendations

Irrigation: Once established, Sapphire requires water on an as-needed basis. Overwatering encourages excessive growth, disease, root rot, and poor aeration of soils. Most lawns are overwatered, not underwatered, which wastes resources, creates a shallow rooted “water dependent lawn,” and potentially damages the turf.

• Watering requirements are greatly dependent on soil type, season, geography and other factors
• Ensure irrigation systems are working properly and covering all areas covered by Sapphire
• Make routine observations of the landscape and learn the signs (i.e. wilting) that indicate when irrigation is required
• Shaded areas and heavy soils require less water than full-sun areas and sandy soils
• Encourage deep root growth by watering until the soil is moist to a depth of 3"; shallow watering encourages shallow roots
• Infrequent deep watering maximizes drought resistance and tolerance
• During drought conditions, irrigation needs are generally 1" of water per week
• See our Watering Tips for more information on proper irrigation

Fertility: Proper fertility practices will encourage healthy, disease and insect free Sapphire:

• Perform a soil test to understand your soil type(s) and condition and best determine your specific fertility needs
• Generally Sapphire requires 3-4 fertilizer applications/year: spring (one early, one late), summer and fall
• Make routine observations and fertilize according to what the landscape indicates
• Understand what and how much fertilizer you are applying
• Avoid disease and insect inducing growth flushes by reducing nitrogen rates
• Improve color and limit growth surges, especially in summer, by utilizing iron sources
• Higher nitrogen rates should only be applied in the spring, for injury recovery, or for planned “peaking” of Sapphire
• Apply balanced, slow-release fertilizers with lower rates of nitrogen in the summer and fall