NOTICE TO RESIDENTS
Correction: In the October 2009 Newsletter, I misstated that the HOA has agreed to help the Crime Watch Patrol raise funds by including a flyer in our annual assessment. The matter has not yet been approved by the Board but is slated for discussion and vote at the October 14th HOA meeting. My deepest apologies.
Rick Carroll
President, Lexington Oaks HOA
THE HOA MASTER BOARD
1) will form an Ad Hoc Committee to deal with the issue of the additional paint colors. It will be their responsibility to analyze the data, work with Sherwin Williams, and consider resident feedback for the purposes of making a recommendation to the board later in the year. They will also work with the board to establish a time line for completion to occur within this fiscal year.
2) is changing our meeting format to entertain member comments at the beginning of the meeting and each resident will be allowed three minutes to address the board.
Brown Grass Problems: Diagnosis and Prevention
Every lawn problem will be from insect, disease and/or cultural problems. There are procedures to detect grubs, chinch bugs, nematodes and tropical sod webworms or to identify which of numerous potential disease problems may be ocurring on Floratam St. Augustinegrass. However, disease and insect problems often are symptoms and indicators of poor cultural conditions. Poor soil, too much or too little water or over-fertilization may be the underlying causes. If neglected they will likely result in multiple recurring problems and the significant extra expense of regular chemical treatments which become an unhealthy habit that affects your property, your pocketbook and spreads through your community carried by stormwater runoff. Providing 8 inches of fertile uncompacted soil for deep rooting, sufficient sunlight and moderate watering/fertilization are the key cultural conditions that make a healthy lawn an affordable luxury. Without those conditions, the lawn will be stressed and prone to attack by insects and diseases that promote a petrochemical dependency that can be avoided.
The soil is the hardest factor to change with existing lawns. Topdressing with organic compost or peat can begin to improve the soil and prevent disease immediately and over time can increase infiltration, increase water holding capacity and accelerate breakdown of thatch. Reducing high fertilization rates and frequency can also be a big part of the solution by limiting excessive growth that encourages disease and damaging insects that thrive in accumulating thatch. It is also critically important to ensure even distribution of irrigation water and control application to no more than is necessary to refill the root zone (more than 3/4 to 1 inch is a waste). If all of these factors have been attended to properly, then it just remains to adjust the watering schedule in accordance to season and weather and mow the lawn no lower than 3 inches to prevent weeds and conserve soil moisture.
The writer is the Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Builder/Developer/HOA Program Coordinator in Pasco County, a position funded by the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Mr. Chris Dewey can be reached at 727-847-8177 or e-mailed at Cdewey@pascocountyfl.net.
