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TURF

Bill Taylor

Weston County ExtensionUniversity of Wyoming

The University of Wyoming, United States Department of Agriculture, and Weston CountyExtension Office cooperate

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University of Wyoming 2

Selecting the Right Grass The grass you sow will be the lawn you

mow.

The most vital step to final lawn results.

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Turfgrass Terminology Vegetative parts of

plant useful in

indentification Leaf blade

Leaf sheath

Vernation

Collar Ligule

Auricles

Growth habit

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Leaf Blade

Upper flattened portion of leaf

Texture fine, medium, coarse? Veins prominent?

Shade of green?

Smooth (glabrous) or hairy(pubescent)?

Tip pointed, boat-shaped, blunt,round?

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Leaf Blade (cont.)

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Leaf Sheath Lower portion of the leaf part that

encircles stem

Cylindrical? Compressed?

Closed? Open? Margins overlapping?

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Leaf Sheath (cont.)

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Vernation Arrangement of new leaves with older

leaf sheath

Folded or rolled when it emerges?

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Vernation (cont.)

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Collar Band at junction of leaf blade and leaf

sheath

Divided, broad, narrow?

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Collar (cont.)

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Ligule Appendage on inner side of grass leaf

at junction of blade and sheath

Absent, membranous, hairy?

If present, size and shape?

Upper edge smooth, notched, hairy

(ciliate)?

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Ligule (cont.)

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Auricles Appendages occurring in pairs at base

of blade

Present or absent?

If present, small (rudimentary) orprominent (clawlike)?

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Auricles (cont.)

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Growth Habit Plant erect or lying down (decumbent)?

Lateral shoots such as rhizomes(underground stems), stolons(aboveground stems), or tillers (shootsthat arise from crown)?

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Growth Habit (cont.)

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Variety Considerations Aesthetic purposes or play?

Heavy traffic cultivar tolerating lots of use.

Plenty or minimum maintenance?

Minimal amounts of water, fertilizer, pest

and weed management? Variety which will survive with little care

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Variety Considerations (cont.) Irrigation available?

Use bluegrasses & fine fescues whereirrigation is available

Drought-resistant species where noirrigation is available

Good quality water? If high in salts a salt tolerant species is

needed

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Variety Considerations (cont.) Soil sandy or clay?

Clay drains poorly, may hold too much

water for some types Shade or sun?

Most will not tolerate heavy shade

Elevation? Higher elevations more difficult for turf

grass

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Variety Considerations (cont.) Temperature and climate?

Warm season vs cool season types

Only two warm season varieties for Wyoming Buffalo grass, Blue grama

NOT Zoysia, Bermuda, St. Augustine

Will not green up until mid or late June

Will go dormant when short of moisture

All others are cool season

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Grass Varieties Four types

Sod forming vs. bunch grasses

Warm season vs. cool season

*

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Kentucky bluegrass & red fescues spread byunderground stems (rhizomes) and side branches

(tillers) from the crown.

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Bentgrasses and buffalograss spread by creeping stems(stolons) on the soil surface.

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Bunchgrasses like crested wheatgrass, ryegrass andtall fescues spread by side branches at the crown.

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Grass Varieties (cont.) Kentucky Bluegrass

Sod former

Cool season

Soft, pretty

Many cultivars

Some require high maintenance, some low

Seed @ 3-5 lb./1000 sq. ft.

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Grass Varieties (cont.) Kentucky Bluegrass (cont.)

Advantages

Readily available Cheap

Soft and green

Disadvantages High water requirements

2 every 7-10 days (~5000-6000 gal/wk for 5000 sq. ft.lawn)

Numerous diseases

Die-back with adverse conditions

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GRASS VARIETIES (cont.) Perennial ryegrass

Bunch grass

Cool season Mixed w/ bluegrass attractive

Pretty blue sheen

Germinates rapidly short life span

Uses water like bluegrass Crowded out eventually by bluegrass

Seed @ 6-8 lb./1000 sq. ft.

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Grass Varieties (cont.) Turf-Type Tall Fescue

Coarse-bladed, cool season

Bunch grass

Drought resistant

Will regreen after drying out

Will survive @ 50%-70% of bluegrasswater

Seed @ 6-8 lb./1000 sq. ft.

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Grass Varieties (cont.) Fine fescue

Sod former

Cool season

Very fine & delicate looking

Rugged tolerance

Disadvantages Lodges before cutting

Can sunburn

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Grass Varieties (cont.) Fine Fescue (cont.)

Stays green long

Drought resistant

Will survive @ 50% of bluegrass water

Forms thatch quickly

Good in shade Seed @ 5 lb./1000 sq. ft.

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Grass Varieties (cont.) Crested wheatgrass

Bunch grass

Cool season

Uses 50% of bluegrass water

Sensitive to traffic

No disease or insect problems Seed @ 5 lb./1000 sq. ft.

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Grass Varieties (cont.) Smooth bromegrass

One recommended cultivar Lincoln

Seed @ 10-12 lb./1000 sq. ft.

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Grass Varieties (cont.) Blue grama

Bunch grass, but will eventually sod

Warm season Greens up in late June, browns out at first frost

No watering required after established Must water first 2 years

Can water to keep green

More tolerant to salty soil than buffalograss Finer, more attractive than buffalograss

Seed @ 1-3 lb./1000 sq. ft.

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Grass Varieties (cont.) Recommended mixture of warm season

grass

50/50 buffalograss and blue grama

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Planting Grass Cool seasons

Fall if irrigation water is unlimited August 15th to September 15th

Early spring if water is limited

Late June to mid-August above 6500

Warm seasons May 10th to June 15th

*

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Planting Grass (cont.)1. Soil test

2. Water test

3. Compatibility determination of #1 &#2

4. Availability of water

5. What do you want?

1. Kids, retirement

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Planting Grass (cont.)6. Make a plan very important

1. Play, high use areas

2. Trees, shrubs grass & trees dont mix, mulchtrees

3. Vegetable and flower gardens

4. Traffic areas, utility, low exposure areas

5. Get the right plant in the right place

6. Use graph paper and sketch it all out

7. MAKE YOUR DECISIONS NOW

*

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Planting Grass (cont.)7. Choose the grass type and variety

1. Use only adapted, recommended

varieties with certified seed.8. Grading plan

1. Be sure water stays on your property

2. Keep water from basement, garage, etc.

9. Do rough grade1. Check the water flow

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Planting Grass (cont.)10. Start loosening soil

1. Plow deep (dont turn up sub-soil), leave bare-faced over winter

2. Till in spring avoid over tilling1. Kill weed crop2. May need additional Roundup treatments to get ahead

of weeds

11. Add amendments1. If organic matter is less than 5% (most are) add

3-5 cu. yd. compost/1000 sq. ft. (1 cover)2. Till in to 4-8 depth

*

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Planting Grass (cont.)12. Drag and firm soil at final grade

1. This is your last chance be sure water

drains where you want it 13. Add good starter fertilizer

1. Up to 1#/1000 ft 2 of N w/ sulfur and iron

14. Pre-water

*

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Planting Grass (cont.)15. Determine planting method

1. Seed1. Cheapest 2. Highest chance of failure

1. May cost as much as hydroseeding when done

3. Wet soil seed must have contact with dampsoil

4. Seed two directions

*

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Planting Grass (cont.)16. Hydroseeding

1. Can be custom blended

2. Ask about seed mixes, mulch used,fertilizers, care given

17. Sodding

1. Rewater lightly2. Obtain from as close as possible

1. Must be laid as soon after cut as possible

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Planting Grass (cont.)17. Sodding (cont.)

3. Stagger seams, be sure they are tight

4. Run strips longest direction

5. Roll down to eliminate air pockets

6. Water behind yourself

18. Plugs, strips

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Planting Grass (cont.)17. Plan again last chance

1. Dont grass any mounds

2. Use ground paint and mark lot 18. Seed, sod, or plug

1. Seed two directions

2. If broadcast, lightly rake or drag3. Mulch with straw, netting, matting

especially if on a slope

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Planting Grass (cont.)18. Watering

1. By feel soil feels like wrung out sponge

2. Lightly, frequently dont let it dry out

3. Reduce frequency, increase duration asroots increase

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Planting Grass (cont.)19. Mow at 45 days

1. Cut to 2-2½

2. Mainly to mow off weeds

20. At 3-4 mowings can use chemicalherbicide if needed

1. Use at ¾ rate

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Turf Maintenance Early Spring (even if

frozen)

Rake up leaves & deadgrass and compost

Can power rake hastensgreenup, lets ground warm

up earlier, removes deadmaterial

Overseed thin & bare spots

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Turf Maintenance (cont.) Early Spring (cont.)

Mow to ½-¾, bag and remove

Do not remove more than 1/3 blade length Water thoroughly, can use surfactant

Plug aerate

Up to triple the soil microbial action

Plugs 2½-3 deep A plug every 3-5 in2

Go over twice

*

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Turf Maintenance (cont.) Early Spring (cont.)

Fertilize with 21-7-7 @ 1½-2¼ #N/1000 ft 2 intothe aeration plugs Use slow release

Or use screened compost or well rotted manure

Mow every 5-7 days if you leave the clippings 7-10 days if clippings removed

Weed control Hand weeding

Herbicide application Pre- or post-emergent for annual weeds if needed

Spot control for perennial weeds, i.e. dandelion, thistle

*

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Turf Maintenance (cont.) Early Summer

Fertilize with 1½ #N/1000 ft 2

Slow release Slowly let grass get taller w/ each mowing until

3-3½ (Keep that mower sharp!) Keeps crowns shaded

Depth of roots directly related to top height

Problem areas begin to show High heat areas most damage at 2:00 p.m.

Spraying w/ hose reduces temperature

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Turf Maintenance (cont.) Early Summer (cont.)

Water early daylight to 10:00 a.m.

Water deep and seldom 6-12 deep once every 7-10 days

Use test hole to determine time required

Rewater just before water stress sets in (about 50% of water used)

Signs of water stress

Bluish color

Foot prints slow to rebound

*

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Turf Maintenance (cont.) Early Summer (cont.)

Water deep and seldom (cont.)

Frequent, shallow watering

Shallow, weak root system

Requires more water

Creates thatch

Impervious layer of fine roots below grass crownand above soil like layer of felt

Dries out quickly

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Turf Maintenance (cont.) Mid Summer (~August 1)

Increase water if hot and dry back off as soon

as cools off Maintain lawn length at 2½-3

Remember not to remove more than 1/3 blade length inany mowing

Check for sod webworm larvae and adults

Summer dormancy

Topdress w/ compost in heat of summer water-in well

*

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Turf Maintenance (cont.) Fall

Continue deep watering

Perennial broadleaf weed control

Overseed & repair of damaged areas

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Turf Maintenance (cont.) Late Fall

Start cutting shorter with each mowing End up at ¾ by snow Helps prevent snow mold

Aerate Fertilize

Top dress w/ screened compost or rotted manure (or) Fertilizer

Slow release if early Quick release if real late Winterizer fertilizers w/ extra P or K not warranted N is

still nutrient needed

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Turf Maintenance (cont.) Late Fall (cont.)

Water deeply as

needed

Rake leaves

Prevent matting andgrass suffocation

May return some tolawn by usingmulching mower

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Turf Maintenance (cont.) Winter

Water slightly whenever bare and

temperature is 45°F or above Do mower maintenance

Drought conditions Apply 1-2 lb. N/1000 sq. ft. after top growth is

dormant available for next spring greenup. Refrain from fertilization rest of year if water is

limited.

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Fertilizer Calculations Note the three numbers on the front of the

bag i.e. 25-5-5, 10-10-10 Always N, P, K percentages in that order

Note % of N this is the vital nutrient tobalance for

Divide pounds of N needed per 1000 sq. ft.by percent N. = amount of fertilizer per 1000

sq. ft. Multiply by the number of 1000s of sq.

footage to find total amount to purchase.

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Fertilizer Calculations (cont.) Your lawn measures 100 x 500.

Your fertilizer recommendation says youshould apply 1.5 lb. N per 1000 sq. ft.

You find 15-5-5 at the store @ $10.50per 20 lb. bag.

What will it cost to fertilize your lawn?

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Fertilizer Calculations (cont.) Lawn area = 100 X 500 =

5000 sq. ft. or 5 thousands.

1.5 lb N needed ÷ .15 (15%) = 10 lb fertilizer needed for every 1000 sq. ft.

10 lb x 5 thousands = 50 lb fertilizer to buy

50 lb ÷ 20 lb/bag = 2.5 bags

3 bags x $10.50 = $31.50

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Controlling Pests Good surface & subsurface drainage

when establishing new turf

Grow locally adapted, disease-resistant varieties

Buy only top-quality certified sod,sprigs, plugs, seed from reputabledealer

Fertilize according to recommendations

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Controlling Pests (cont.) Mow frequently at recommended height

with sharp mower, removing no more

than 1/3 of blade. Water properly

Increase light penetration and air

movement by pruning or removingdense trees, shrubs, hedges

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Controlling Pests (cont.) Core aerate thatched and compacted

areas

Follow recommended weed and insect control programs.

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