September 18

The cool nights these past few days have hastened the change of the crab and witch grasses in the yard, giving our front a more motley appearance. Soon enough, the summer weed grasses will die off, leaving patches of golden sere among the still green bluegrass and fescue that predominates.

I am admittedly hypocritical about this. I am pleased when the warm nights of July arrive, and the crab seed explodes toward new seedling growth. The crab is thick and limey green all July and August, giving our mostly unkempt yard a more respectable density. But it is a case of temporary embroidery, and like our summer songbirds which add color and beauty, the fall onset prompts their departure. Such is the lawn, where soon it will be thin again.

Compounding matters this year are the Japanese Beetle larvae, which have evidently taken residence and are doing their best to consume the tender roots of fescue and Kentucky. They’ve been slowly growing since mid summer, of course, but the damage is only visible now. It must have been the hot July, for I see such damage in several lawns around town.