Turfgrass Establishment and Care

Turfgrass can be used for a variety of things Erosion Control Sports Lawns Pasture

Two major types of Grasses Warm Season: These grasses are dormant in the winter. They are typically grown in the south or warmer areas. Cool season are dormant in the summer and are typically grown in the north or cooler areas. Both can be grown in the transitional areas such as Kentucky.

Cool season grasses Transitional Zone (Both grasses) Warm season grasses

Establishment by Seed Different types of grass require different methods. Early spring or fall is the best time to establish grass. Use blended mixture of seeds. Till up soil and remove weeds. Spread seed.

Establishment Continued Rake seed in and add fertilizer. Roll grass with seed roller. Cover with straw. WATER!!!! A LOT!!! Or by seed blankets and put over prepared soil.

Planting Sod/Plugs Establish area similar to planting seed. Role out sod or plant plugs. Roll sod or plugs. WATER!!!! A LOT!!!

Maintaining Turfgrass Test Soil. Fertilize spring, summer, fall. Summer fertilization can effect drought tolerance. Manage weeds, disease and pests using proper care methods. Mow often remove little. Irrigation (watering)

Mowing Be careful at first the grass is delicate. Never take more than 1/3 the height at a time. Use sharp blades. Cool season grasses mow to 3-4 inches. Warm season can be mowed from 1-2 inches.

Fertilize Use high Nitrogen in the spring and summer. Use higher potassium and phosphorus in the fall. Rule of thumb 1 lb nitrogen per 1000 Square feet

Watering About 1” per week depending on the weather. No need to water. Cool season grasses will brown in the summer but will break dormancy in the fall. Water in the morning. It is better to soak the plants and water less frequently.

Weeds/Pests/Disease By having healthy grass one can minimize these without having to spray or physically remove them. Fungicide: Kills fungus Pesticide: Kill pests Herbicide: Kills plants (weeds) Selective kill only broad leaves Non-selective kills all

Other Care Thatch: Build up of dead grass clippings. This can be managed by proper care or raking by hand or with a machine. Aerification: This takes plugs out of the soil to give the soil pore space. Remove leaves in the fall or mulch them by mowing over them several times.

Common Turfgrass in our Area Most lawns are a blend. Kentucky bluegrass: Full sun grass, Cool season Red fescue: Shade grass cool, season Fine fescue: Shade grass, cool season Annual Ryegrass: full sun, annual, used to establish grass Bent grass: Full sun, cool season, used for golf courses Bermuda grass: Full sun, warm season, used for golf courses

Common Pests Grubs: Eat the roots Chinch bugs Army worms Sod webworm, Billbug Chinch bug Aphids.

Grubs

Grub Damage

Grub Control Keep your lawn healthy! Pesticide

Common Disease Dollar spot Red thread Rusts Leaf spot/melting out Snowmold Summer patch Necrotic ring patch Fusarium blight 8.htmlhttp://urbanext.illinois.edu/lawnchallenge/lesson 8.html

Photos of Common Diseases Dollar SpotSnow mold

Controlling disease Keep your lawn healthy!!! Fungicides