Selecting and Establishing Turfgrass

1. Selecting and Establishing Turfgrass Ms. Gripshover Unit 17 Landscaping

2. Our Objectives • Explain how to select the proper turfgrass • Describe how to properly prepare the planning site • Describe how to seed the planting site • Discuss how to properly install sod • Explain the proper installation of plugs

3. Voacbulary • Cool season turfgrass • Plugging • Seeding • Sodding • Turf • Turfgrass • Turfgrass blend • Turfgrass mixture • Warm season turfgrass

4. What is the best turfgrass to use? • Turf- the top layer of soil with the plants that it supports • Such as??? • Often when people say turf they are referring to turfgrass but it can be other things such as a groundcover • Turfgrass is specifically the collection of grass species grown to form a groundcover • Like a carpet or floor for outdoor rooms • Highly durable/ resistant

5. What is the best turfgrass to use? (cont.) • Choose for its function • Golf course, playing field, lawns, etc. • Environmental conditions should also be considered • Temperature, precipitation are key factors affecting the adaptability of turfgrass

6. Types of Turfgrasses • Cool season turfgrass- grows best in temperatures of 60- 75, can become dormant if allowed to dry out during the summer • Warm season turfgrass- grows best in temperatures of 80- 95 degrees

7. Task Read pages 376- 386 in the Introduction to Horticulture book. Answer the self evaluation questions for A & B.

8. Four Main Turfgrass Climatic Zones • Cool humid- cool season grasses like bluegrass, ryegrass, fescue, or bentgrass • Soils are generally acidic and may need irrigation to makeup lack of rainfall • Warm humid- warm season grasses like bermuda, zoysia, or St. Augustine grass • Soils are the same characteristics as cool humid • Cool arid/ semi- arid- buffalo grass and wheat grass • Acidic soils that generally do not support other grasses without fertilization and irrigation • Warm arid/ semi- arid- warm season grasses like grama grasses • Soils are usually alkaline and low fertility, requires irrigation • The amount of sun/ shade will also affect grass selection

9. Turfgrass Climatic Zones

10. Add ?’s • What types of grasses would be used in KY? (Using the climatic zones) • Give an example of a specific grass to use in KY. • Choose another state and determine climatic zone and a specific grass.

11. How can the site be properly prepared? • Properly preparing site will reduce many problems • Drainage, aeration, soil compaction, pH, soil fertility, and debris may need to be addressed • Weeds should be removed so as not to compete and take available nutrients and water • Using a herbicide will be helpful • Grading the site will help with drainage • 1-2% slope away from buildings is adequate • Heavy clay soils may require drainage tiles • Most turfgrass grows best with a pH of 6- 7 • A pH test will help, especially if bringing in topsoil • Amendments to the soil can be made by adding lime or sulfur • Soil fertility can also be addressed at this time by adding organic matter or fertilizer

12. How is seeding accomplished? • Usually done in early spring late summer • Advantages of seeding include: • Picking grass variety • Having it grow in the environment in which it will live • Develop deep roots • Cheaper than other methods

13. Task Read pages 387- 396 in the Introduction to Horticulture book. Answer questions in the self evaluation A- C.

14. How is seeding accomplished? (cont.) • 1st- select proper grass • Seeds should be fresh, have a high germination rate, and lowest weed seed rate • Could be a cultivar or • Turfgrass blend- a combo of different cultivars of the same species or • Turfgrass mixture- a combination of different grass species • 2nd- prepare site • Grade • Remove debris

15. How is seeding accomplished? (cont.) • 3RD- Planting • Follow label instructions • Using a spread, apply half of the seed in one direction and the other half at a right angle to the first course • Lightly raking the soil will improve germination and then roll the lawn • Mulch- keeps from drying out ex: straw • Reduces losing seeds to wind or water • Adequately water for the first few weeks • Mow when grass is ½’ taller than you’d like it to be • No more than 1/3 of the grass should be removed ever • Mulching the grass guttings back into the lawn contributes to the health of the turf

16. How is Sod Installed • Sodding is when the mature top layer of turf including the grass with a thin layer of soil is used to establish a new lawn • Selected because: • Instant lawn • Prevents erosion • Ease of upkeep • Usually used in warm season regions • Sod should be installed ASAP (ideally within 24hrs of harvest)Choose one with a variety of grasses that will grow well for the climatic region • Consider shade, full sun, etc. • Soil should be moist before installing • Soil should be prepared the same as seeding • Graded, amended, etc. • Water once laid

17. Laying Sod Video

18. How are plugs installed? Plugging uses small peieces of sod that are inserted into an established turf or prepared seed bed Often used for the establishment of subtropical turfgrassses since they do not produce seed well Sold by the tray or pallet Used to create a pattern of grass that will eventually grow over to fill the empty areas Cheaper than regular sod but time consuming an dlabor intensive Planted 6- 8’ apart, firm soil around each plug, and keep moist Generally covers entire area in one season

19. Task Read pages 397- 402 in the Introduction to Horticulture. Answer questions in the self evaluation 1- 10.