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 youd 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.