Lawn mowing season in Fairbanks? (Willow: move, yard, best)

[Isleofpalms85]

Have people started mowing their yards yet this season in Fairbanks Alaska? When does lawn mowing season usually begin in interior Alaska and when do people generally mow for the last time in autumn in the Fairbanks Alaska area? Please and thank you

[RayinAK]

Too soon for mowing. Right now the grass is too dry, which in turn can lead to grass fires. The best thing to do now is to rake or thatch the grass (remove the dead grass on top).

[Isleofpalms85]

Originally Posted by RayinAK

Too soon for mowing. Right now the grass is too dry, which in turn can lead to grass fires. The best thing to do now is to rake or thatch the grass (remove the dead grass on top).

So…does this mean many lawns haven’t begun green up yet?

I would have thought that at least there would be green up by now because of the mild temperatures

[Isleofpalms85]

Originally Posted by RayinAK

Too soon for mowing. Right now the grass is too dry, which in turn can lead to grass fires. The best thing to do now is to rake or thatch the grass (remove the dead grass on top).

Are any plants even showing any signs of life/breaking of dormancy there yet with the mild weather?

[Parnassia]

Originally Posted by Isleofpalms85

So…does this mean many lawns haven’t begun green up yet?

I would have thought that at least there would be green up by now because of the mild temperatures

Mild air temperatures are just part of the equation in terms of when different plants green up. The soil has to reach specific temperatures too. If some lower parts of the soil profile are still cold or frozen plants will stay dormant. The milder temperatures need to be consistent night to day too. I am almost 600 miles south of Fairbanks in an area that is generally warmer during winter. I had frost on the grass last night even though daytime temps have been in the low 50s. My lawn is still brown too. In fact, there's still 3-4" of snow covering a lot of it. Of course, the local elevation, slope and aspect plays in to that too. This lawn won't be ready to mow for at least a month. The native perennial shrubs (elderberry, willows, alder, etc) are barely budded. Smaller perennials like cow parsnip and lupine haven't poked their noses up yet.

[Isleofpalms85]

Originally Posted by Parnassia

Mild air temperatures are just part of the equation in terms of when different plants green up. The soil has to reach specific temperatures too. If some lower parts of the soil profile are still cold or frozen plants will stay dormant. The milder temperatures need to be consistent night to day too. I am almost 600 miles south of Fairbanks in an area that is generally warmer during winter. I had frost on the grass last night even though daytime temps have been in the low 50s. My lawn is still brown too. In fact, there's still 3-4" of snow covering a lot of it. Of course, the local elevation, slope and aspect plays in to that too. This lawn won't be ready to mow for at least a month. The native perennial shrubs (elderberry, willows, alder, etc) are barely budded. Smaller perennials like cow parsnip and lupine haven't poked their noses up yet.

Ah okay. Guess the soils around interior Alaska are still quite cold and wet even with the warmer weather huh?

[riceme]

Originally Posted by Isleofpalms85

Ah okay. Guess the soils around interior Alaska are still quite cold and wet even with the warmer weather huh?

Yes. There are still patches of snow in my yard and much of the rest of it is still either under water or super muddy from breakup

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by Isleofpalms85

Are any plants even showing any signs of life/breaking of dormancy there yet with the mild weather?

The snow melted very fast, but it has been very dry in the past two or three weeks. The grass is just turning green, but there are some spots of dead grass in my yard. Willow trees have been flowering already (for the past three weeks), and the birch's new leaves, while small in size, have a beautiful light green color (new growth)

This is a willow flower:

[Parnassia]

Originally Posted by RayinAK

The snow melted very fast, but it has been very dry in the past two or three weeks. The grass is just turning green, but there are some spots of dead grass in my yard. Willow trees have been flowering already (for the past three weeks), and the birch's new leaves, while small in size, have a beautiful light green color (new growth)

This is a willow flower:

Nice!

OK smarty pants...which willow is that?

(don't bother asking me...I don't know them all either! )

[RocketDawg]

Originally Posted by Isleofpalms85

Have people started mowing their yards yet this season in Fairbanks Alaska? When does lawn mowing season usually begin in interior Alaska and when do people generally mow for the last time in autumn in the Fairbanks Alaska area? Please and thank you

I'll guess that mowing season starts in Fairbanks around July 1 and ends July 3.