Chapter 13Chapter 13

Turf: Selection, Establishment, Turf: Selection, Establishment, and Maintenanceand Maintenance

Turfgrasses are among the oldest species Turfgrasses are among the oldest species used by human beings to fashion the used by human beings to fashion the outdoors into residential and recreational outdoors into residential and recreational areas that suit their needs.areas that suit their needs.

Today, full-service lawn care corporations Today, full-service lawn care corporations are leading profit makers among are leading profit makers among landscape professionals.landscape professionals.

The main reason for the ongoing interest The main reason for the ongoing interest in turfgrass and improved turf care is in turfgrass and improved turf care is because nothing has ever surpassed a top-because nothing has ever surpassed a top-quality lawn as the ideal outdoor surface.quality lawn as the ideal outdoor surface.

Residential use is the term used to describe Residential use is the term used to describe turf associated with private homes, estates, turf associated with private homes, estates, and apartment and condominium complexes.and apartment and condominium complexes.

Commercial use is the term used to describe Commercial use is the term used to describe turf associated with corporate landscapes, turf associated with corporate landscapes, shopping centers, and office buildings.shopping centers, and office buildings.

Municipal is the term used to describe turf Municipal is the term used to describe turf associated with civic buildings, community associated with civic buildings, community centers, highway dividers, and airports.centers, highway dividers, and airports.

Recreational use us the term used to describe Recreational use us the term used to describe turf associated with parks, golf courses, turf associated with parks, golf courses, country clubs, stadiums, and athletic fields.country clubs, stadiums, and athletic fields.

Can you label these?Can you label these?

Correct selection of turfgrass for Correct selection of turfgrass for landscape requires knowledge of:landscape requires knowledge of:– LandscapesLandscapes– Geographic regionsGeographic regions– Soil typesSoil types– Altitudes Altitudes – Environmental conditionsEnvironmental conditions

Turfgrasses are monocotyledons, Turfgrasses are monocotyledons, meaning they have only one seed meaning they have only one seed leaf in the embryo, whose growing leaf in the embryo, whose growing point is at the crown near the soil.point is at the crown near the soil.

One of the objectives of good One of the objectives of good turfgrass management is to turfgrass management is to encourage growth as quickly and as encourage growth as quickly and as uniformly as possible.uniformly as possible.

Different ways grass produce Different ways grass produce new shoots:new shoots:

1.1. Rhizome-producing (rhizomatous) – the Rhizome-producing (rhizomatous) – the shoots produced beneath the soil’s surface shoots produced beneath the soil’s surface and send new plants to the surface.and send new plants to the surface.

2.2. Stolon-producing (stoloniferous) – the Stolon-producing (stoloniferous) – the shoots produced extend outward from the shoots produced extend outward from the parent plant along the surface of the soil.parent plant along the surface of the soil.

3.3. Bunch-type – new lateral shoots termed Bunch-type – new lateral shoots termed tillers are produced from axillary buds tillers are produced from axillary buds within the leaf sheath.within the leaf sheath.

Rhizomatous and stoloniferous Rhizomatous and stoloniferous grasses tend to reproduce more grasses tend to reproduce more quickly and evenly than bunch-type quickly and evenly than bunch-type grasses.grasses.

Leaf texture is mostly a measure of Leaf texture is mostly a measure of the width of the leaf blade. The wider the width of the leaf blade. The wider the blade the coarser the texture.the blade the coarser the texture.

Generally, fine textured grasses are Generally, fine textured grasses are considered more attractive.considered more attractive.

Density refers to the number of aerial Density refers to the number of aerial leaf shoots that a single plant or leaf shoots that a single plant or species produce.species produce.

Seed size varies greatly among grass Seed size varies greatly among grass species. Fine-textured grasses have species. Fine-textured grasses have small seeds; coarse-textured grasses small seeds; coarse-textured grasses usually have much smaller.usually have much smaller.

Categories of GrassesCategories of Grasses

Cool-season grasses – favored by Cool-season grasses – favored by daytime temperatures of 60 – 75 daytime temperatures of 60 – 75 degrees F.degrees F.

Warm-season grasses – favored by Warm-season grasses – favored by daytime temperatures of 80 – 95 daytime temperatures of 80 – 95 degrees F.degrees F.

Purity – the percentage, by weight of Purity – the percentage, by weight of pure grass seed.pure grass seed.

Percent germination – the percentage Percent germination – the percentage of the pure seed that was capable of of the pure seed that was capable of germination on the date tested.germination on the date tested.

Crop seed – the percentage by Crop seed – the percentage by weight of cash crop seeds in the weight of cash crop seeds in the mixture. These are undesirable for mixture. These are undesirable for lawns.lawns.

Weeds – the percentage by weight of Weeds – the percentage by weight of weed seeds in the mixture.weed seeds in the mixture.

Noxious weeds – this is usually the Noxious weeds – this is usually the number of noxious weeds per pound number of noxious weeds per pound or ounce of weed seeds.or ounce of weed seeds.

Inert material – the percentage, by Inert material – the percentage, by weight, of material in the package weight, of material in the package that will not grow.that will not grow.

Grass seed is commonly formulated as Grass seed is commonly formulated as either a mixture or a blend. A mixture either a mixture or a blend. A mixture combines two or more cultivars of a single combines two or more cultivars of a single species. A blend combines two or more species. A blend combines two or more different species of grass.different species of grass.

3 factors to consider when deciding 3 factors to consider when deciding installation method:installation method:– Species of grassSpecies of grass– The type of siteThe type of site– Immediacy of the need for usable turfImmediacy of the need for usable turf

Four methods of installing turfgrass:Four methods of installing turfgrass:– Seeding Seeding – Sodding Sodding – PluggingPlugging– Sprigging and stolonizingSprigging and stolonizing

Seeding is the most common and Seeding is the most common and least expensive method of least expensive method of establishing a lawn.establishing a lawn.

A hydroseeder is a spraying device A hydroseeder is a spraying device that applies seed, water, fertilizer, that applies seed, water, fertilizer, and mulch simultaneously.and mulch simultaneously.

Sod is established turf which is Sod is established turf which is moved from one location to another.moved from one location to another.

Plugging is the most common Plugging is the most common method of installing lawns in the method of installing lawns in the southern sections of the U.S.southern sections of the U.S.

A sprig is a piece of grass shoot.A sprig is a piece of grass shoot. Stolonizing is a form of sprigging. Stolonizing is a form of sprigging.

The sprigs are broadcast over the The sprigs are broadcast over the site, covered slightly with soil, then site, covered slightly with soil, then rolled or disked.rolled or disked.

Six steps to a successful Six steps to a successful lawnlawn

1.1. Plant at the proper time of year.Plant at the proper time of year.

2.2. Provide the proper drainage and Provide the proper drainage and grading.grading.

3.3. Condition the soil properly.Condition the soil properly.

4.4. Apply fresh, vigorous seed, sod, plugs, Apply fresh, vigorous seed, sod, plugs, or sprigs.or sprigs.

5.5. Provide adequate moisture to promote Provide adequate moisture to promote rapid establishment of the lawn.rapid establishment of the lawn.

6.6. Mow the new lawn to its correct height.Mow the new lawn to its correct height.

Grading can alter level land so that is Grading can alter level land so that is slopes slightly.slopes slightly.

Proper drainage permits the water to Proper drainage permits the water to move slowly into the soil to the turf’s move slowly into the soil to the turf’s root system where it can be absorbed, root system where it can be absorbed, yet pass beyond the root zone before it yet pass beyond the root zone before it collects and does harm to the plants.collects and does harm to the plants.

Drainage is critical to the survival of the Drainage is critical to the survival of the lawn, no matter what the species.lawn, no matter what the species.

Most turfgrasses grow best in a loam Most turfgrasses grow best in a loam or sandy loam soil with a pH that is or sandy loam soil with a pH that is neutral to slightly acidic. (7.0 to 6.5)neutral to slightly acidic. (7.0 to 6.5)

Proper seeding is applied to the Proper seeding is applied to the prepared soil in a manner that will prepared soil in a manner that will distribute the recommended quantity distribute the recommended quantity evenly; otherwise, a patchy lawn evenly; otherwise, a patchy lawn develops.develops.

Proper installation of sod includes installing Proper installation of sod includes installing sod as soon as possible to its cutting. Keep the sod as soon as possible to its cutting. Keep the soil moist, and do not try and stretch the soil moist, and do not try and stretch the strips.strips.

Proper plugging includes setting them into the Proper plugging includes setting them into the conditioned soil at regular intervals (12-18 in.) conditioned soil at regular intervals (12-18 in.) and in staggered rows to maximize coverage.and in staggered rows to maximize coverage.

Proper sprig installation requires planting two Proper sprig installation requires planting two to three inches deep in rows 8 to 12 inches to three inches deep in rows 8 to 12 inches apart. Distribute evenly over the prepared soil apart. Distribute evenly over the prepared soil and push down into soil with a stick.and push down into soil with a stick.

The soil and developing grasses The soil and developing grasses should not be allowed to dry until the should not be allowed to dry until the new grass is about two inches tall.new grass is about two inches tall.

The first objective when mowing a The first objective when mowing a lawn for the first time is to encourage lawn for the first time is to encourage horizontal branching of the new horizontal branching of the new grass as quickly as possible.grass as quickly as possible.

Two types of spreadersTwo types of spreaders Rotary – dispenses the material from a Rotary – dispenses the material from a

closed hamper onto a rotating plate that closed hamper onto a rotating plate that then propels it outward in a semicircular then propels it outward in a semicircular patter.patter.

Drop spreader – dispenses the material Drop spreader – dispenses the material through holes in the bottom of the hamper through holes in the bottom of the hamper as it is pushed across the lawn.as it is pushed across the lawn.

Windy days are not suitable for calibration.Windy days are not suitable for calibration. Patching is warranted where bare spots Patching is warranted where bare spots

are at least one foot in diameter.are at least one foot in diameter. Aeration of the lawn is the addition of air Aeration of the lawn is the addition of air

to the soil.to the soil. Proper aeration cuts into the soil about Proper aeration cuts into the soil about

three inches deep and either removes three inches deep and either removes plugs of the soil or slices it into thin plugs of the soil or slices it into thin furrows. These holes allow for better air furrows. These holes allow for better air flow into the soil.flow into the soil.

Vertical mowing is a technique that Vertical mowing is a technique that can break up the soil plugs left by an can break up the soil plugs left by an aerator or even remove excess aerator or even remove excess thatch if necessary.thatch if necessary.

Lawns should be fertilized just before Lawns should be fertilized just before they need the nutrients for their they need the nutrients for their growth.growth.

Cool-season grasses should be Cool-season grasses should be fertilized early spring and early fall.fertilized early spring and early fall.

Warm-season grasses should be Warm-season grasses should be fertilized in late spring.fertilized in late spring.

To obtain the fullest benefit from To obtain the fullest benefit from fertilizer, it should be applied in an fertilizer, it should be applied in an amount the turfgrass can use fully amount the turfgrass can use fully before it reaches beyond the root before it reaches beyond the root zone.zone.

Turfgrasses are among the first Turfgrasses are among the first plants to suffer from lack of water plants to suffer from lack of water since they have shallow roots as since they have shallow roots as compared to trees and shrubs.compared to trees and shrubs.

The best time of day to water lawns The best time of day to water lawns is early in the morning.is early in the morning.

Watering early morning is most Watering early morning is most efficient because watering late in the efficient because watering late in the day will result in greater evaporation. day will result in greater evaporation. Watering in the early evening or later Watering in the early evening or later can promote disease because turf can promote disease because turf pathogens thrive in lawns that pathogens thrive in lawns that remain moist late in the evening. remain moist late in the evening.

Three types of MowersThree types of Mowers Flail – used for utility and stabilization Flail – used for utility and stabilization

turfgrasses that are only cut a few times a turfgrasses that are only cut a few times a year.year.

Reel – blades rotate in the same motion as Reel – blades rotate in the same motion as the wheel.the wheel.

Cont.’dCont.’d

Rotary – blades move like a ceiling Rotary – blades move like a ceiling fan, cutting the grass off as they fan, cutting the grass off as they revolve.revolve.

Not to be confused with patching, Not to be confused with patching, overseeding is the planting of new overseeding is the planting of new seed into an established turf area to seed into an established turf area to extend its time of use.extend its time of use.

Selectivity is an important Selectivity is an important characteristic of turf herbicides so characteristic of turf herbicides so that the desirable grasses are not that the desirable grasses are not damaged by the control effort.damaged by the control effort.

Weeds are only one of the pests that Weeds are only one of the pests that affect turf installations.affect turf installations.

With turf, as with any crop, the best With turf, as with any crop, the best defense against most pests is the defense against most pests is the selection of resistant varieties and selection of resistant varieties and the creation of a growth environment the creation of a growth environment that favors the turfgrass more than that favors the turfgrass more than pest.pest.