Sustainable Lawn Care Presentation
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Transcript of Sustainable Lawn Care Presentation
Some Best Management Practices for Turf
Brookside Community 6 September 2014, Warrenton, VA
BMPs for Turf
• Mow• Water• Fertilize• Over seed • Thoughts on soil health
Winter Earlyspring
Spring Summer Early fall Fall Winter
Shoot Growth Root Growth Carbohydrates
High
Med.
Low
Figure 1. Seasonal Growth Patterns ofCool-Season Turfgrasses
Rel
ativ
e gr
owth
rat
e
Window 1Window 2
Mowing• Most frequent management activity • About once per week, more when growing faster, less when
dormant or growing slower• Remove no more than 1/3 of leaf surface
Minimum recommended mowing heights for turf grasses
Kentucky bluegrass 1 1/2” to 2 1/2” Tall fescue 2” to 3” Creeping red fescue 2” to 3” Perennial ryegrass 1 1/2” to 2 1/2” Bermudagrass ½” to 1” Zoysiagrass ¾” to 1”
• Can I mow higher than this? Yes
Mowing low
• Reduces tolerance for drought• Increases weed pressure• Makes turf more susceptible to stress• Reduces turf roots
• On another note… return your clippings, they provide nutrients in the turf.
Watering
• Cool season turf goes dormant in July and August
• Add water consistently (or not at all) 1 inch/wk in two to three applications.• Water in very early morning • Turn off automatic systems when it rains.
Fertilization • Fertilizer is one of the biggest
contaminants in the Chesapeake bay.
• Manage it properly• If fertilizer is a contaminant of
water, then I should not fertilize my turf?
• This is actually found to not be true. Research at the University of Minnesota showed minimal fertilization to be the best for the environment.
• Pet waste is a significant source of nutrients in our waterways.
How to fertilize then?
• When grass is actively growing, fall is the best.
• Not before a large rain event
• No more than 0.7 lb of N / 1000 ft2 at a time
• Use a slow release fertilizer. • Avoid fertilizing next to a
pond or stream. (20 ft buffer)
• Lawn and not sidewalk.
You only recommended Nitrogen
• Why?• Because Nitrogen is
mobile in the soil and often the most limiting nutrient to growth.
• 24 – 6 – 12• N – P – K
• What about other nutrients?
• P -Phosphorus – going to be hard to find in fertilizers in VA
• K – Potassium – apply according to soil test.
• Other nutrients usually not needed.
Changes to VA laws
• Maintenance fertilizer will not contain phosphorus - 2014
• Can only apply phosphorus on established turf if a soil test shows phosphorus is deficient
• Folks that apply fertilizer for hire must be certified by VDACS – 1 July 2013.
Compost, an alternative fertilizer
• Help clay soils drain• Help sandy soils retain
water• Add nutrients for turf• Reduce soil compaction• PSU research indicates ¼
inch depth 1-2 x/yr to established turfs is a GREAT treatment
• Consider sources, quality, ability to spread etc.
Overseeding
• Why? Because we grow fescue and it is a bunch grass. This fixes the holes in the turf.
• When? First two weeks of September.
• What kind of seed? Fescue mix, you get what you pay for.
Soil Test• Always a good time to take a soil test.
• Soil test will tell you how much lime, phosphorus and potassium you need to add.
• VT recommends testing soil every 3 years.
• Can add lime anytime of year as long as the ground is not frozen.
• Soil Probe
Why lime?
• Soils in VA naturally acidic.
• Turf prefers to grow between 6.3 and 6.8 pH.
• Lime raises the pH of the soil.
But, how much lime?
Improving soil health
• Soil Compaction– Issue on new
construction– Over time soil roots will
reduce compaction– Dogs, people, cars and
equipment add to compaction over time.
A few other thoughts on turf…
• Clover is not a weed.
• Moss is a great alternative to grass in the shade.
• Another talk on turf diseases and insect pests.
• Consider planting zoysia as a turf grass.
• Participate in “Green” Grass
Questions?
Tim OhlwilerVCE – Fauquier
540.341.7950 ext [email protected]
Virginia Native Flower Demonstration Garden at the extension office.
VCE - Fauquier24 Pelham St. Warrenton, VA