1. Lawns

2. Purpose of lawns Ornamental Recreation Utility

3. Planning a lawn Location –Soil type, moisture, light, surrounding plants, zone Use Type of grass Time, cost of maintenance Time, cost of installation

4. Location

7. Turfgrass & shade

8. Types of turfgrass Regional adaptation of species –Cool season grasses Grows well at 60-75F Growth ceases over 80F Intolerant of heavy shade –Warm season grasses Grows well at 80-95F Dormant in winter (brown)

9. Grass types

10. Turfgrass adaptation maps 1&2 – cool 4 – warm 3 – transition zone

11. Turfgrass adaptation maps

12. Turfgrass adaptation zones ZoysiaTall fescue Centipede

13. Uses Zoysia – prickly blades St. Augustine – intolerant to traffic & compaction

14. Resistance to wear Traffic tolerant –Cool season: Tall fescue –Warm season: Bahia, Bermuda Traffic intolerant –Saint Augustine grass

15. Grass texture

16. Growth habit Many cool season grasses are bunching (can get clumpy)

17. Competitiveness (aggressiveness) Colonizing species desired on slopes Aggressiveness depends on environmental conditions Aggressive grasses –Zoysia stolons are very aggressive – can grow under edging –Bermudagrass

18. Maintenance High maintenance types –Dethatching required –Disease & insect susceptible –Frequent mowing –Warm season: Bahia, bermuda –Cool season: bentgrass, bluegrass

19. Maintenance Low maintenance –Resistant to drought & diseases –Cool season: Tall fescue –Warm season: centipede, zoysia

20. Shade Many grasses are shade intolerant Shade tolerant types –Cool season: red fescue, chewing fescue –Warm season: centipede, TotalityTotality

21. Lawn shapes

22. Installing a lawn Seeding –Soil preparation Nutrient, pH testing (6.5) Amend for drainage, soil texture Remove debris, coarse material Roll Fertilize (starter fertilizer – high P) Weed control, if desired

23. Buying grass seed Straight – one species Blend – 2 or more cultivars of same species Mixture – 2 or more speciesMixture –Temporary species for quick establishment –Permanent species (>60% of mix)

25. Online resources NCSU turfFiles Carolina lawns Bermudagrass.com Allaboutlawns.com Fine Gardening

27. Time to sow Cool season: late summer/early fall Warm season: late spring

28. Seeding rate (~1oz/sq. yd.) Desire a dense lawn Rate varies by grass type Seeding devises

29. Mulching seed beds Wheat straw most common –Protect seed from birds –Prevent washing away –Conserve moisture –Control erosion –Roll

31. Hydroseeding

32. Sodding Instant coverage Least problematic Most expensive Can install anytime

33. Laying sod Use immediately Tight fit Stagger pieces Roll

34. Plugging Sod plugs (1.5-2”) spaced 6-12”

35. Sprigging Spreading stolons

37. Lawn maintenance Mowing Irrigation Fertilization Weed control Disease and insect pests Aeration/scarification (dethatching) pH correction Leaf removal

38. Lawn maintenance Mowing height

39. Mowing principles Never remove more than 30% of blade length Mow when dry –Disease suspectibility –Weight of cuttings Keep blades sharp Alternate mowing pattern

41. Mowers Bagging vs. mulching

42. Edging

43. Trimmers/edgers

44. Watering Most grasses require 1” water per week Soil moisture should reach 4” depth –Light watering may encourage upward root growth Water in mornings or evenings (mornings preferred)

45. Irrigation

46. Fertilizing Follow recommendations for lawns

48. Fertilizer formulations

49. Fertilization Broadcast vs. drop spreading Liquid fertilization

50. Disease and pest control Disease problems Insect problems Turfgrass pests

51. Grub damage

52. Weed control Pre-emergence selective herbicides (broadleaf herbicides) Post-emergence selective herbicides Forms: granulars, liquid sprays 2,4-D popular

53. Dethatching/Scarifying

55. Aeration

57. Topdressing

58. Lawn or groundcover? Turfgrasses establish poorly in deep shade Turgrasses may be difficult to establish on steep banks

59. Lawn alternatives Blue rug juniper Dwarf mondo grass (shade) Chamomile, thyme

60. Chamomile as a lawn alternative

61. Thyme as a lawn alternative

62. Lawn alternatives Pachysandra

63. Turfgrass industry Oakland turf farm, Council, NCOakland turf farm Dream Turf