Selecting and Selecting and Establishing Establishing

TurfgrassTurfgrassMs. GripshoverMs. Gripshover

Unit 17Unit 17

LandscapingLandscaping

Our ObjectivesOur Objectives

Explain how to select the proper Explain how to select the proper turfgrassturfgrass

Describe how to properly prepare the Describe how to properly prepare the planning siteplanning site

Describe how to seed the planting siteDescribe how to seed the planting site Discuss how to properly install sodDiscuss how to properly install sod Explain the proper installation of Explain the proper installation of

plugsplugs

VoacbularyVoacbulary Cool season turfgrassCool season turfgrass PluggingPlugging SeedingSeeding SoddingSodding TurfTurf TurfgrassTurfgrass Turfgrass blendTurfgrass blend Turfgrass mixtureTurfgrass mixture Warm season turfgrassWarm season turfgrass

What is the best What is the best turfgrass to use?turfgrass to use?

Turf- the top layer of soil with the plants Turf- the top layer of soil with the plants that it supportsthat it supports Such as???Such as???

Often when people say turf they are Often when people say turf they are referring to turfgrass but it can be other referring to turfgrass but it can be other things such as a groundcoverthings such as a groundcover

Turfgrass is specifically the collection of Turfgrass is specifically the collection of grass species grown to form a grass species grown to form a groundcovergroundcover Like a carpet or floor for outdoor roomsLike a carpet or floor for outdoor rooms Highly durable/ resistantHighly durable/ resistant

What is the best turfgrass What is the best turfgrass to use? (cont.)to use? (cont.)

Choose for its functionChoose for its function Golf course, playing field, lawns, etc.Golf course, playing field, lawns, etc.

Environmental conditions should Environmental conditions should also be consideredalso be considered Temperature, precipitation are key Temperature, precipitation are key

factors affecting the adaptability of factors affecting the adaptability of turfgrassturfgrass

Types of TurfgrassesTypes of Turfgrasses

Cool season turfgrass- grows best in Cool season turfgrass- grows best in temperatures of 60- 75, can become temperatures of 60- 75, can become dormant if allowed to dry out during dormant if allowed to dry out during the summerthe summer

Warm season turfgrass- grows best Warm season turfgrass- grows best in temperatures of 80- 95 degreesin temperatures of 80- 95 degrees

TaskTask

Read pages 376- 386 in the Read pages 376- 386 in the Introduction to Horticulture book.Introduction to Horticulture book.

Answer the self evaluation questions Answer the self evaluation questions for A & B.for A & B.

Four Main Turfgrass Four Main Turfgrass Climatic ZonesClimatic Zones

Cool humid- cool season grasses like bluegrass, Cool humid- cool season grasses like bluegrass, ryegrass, fescue, or bentgrassryegrass, fescue, or bentgrass Soils are generally acidic and may need irrigation to Soils are generally acidic and may need irrigation to

makeup lack of rainfallmakeup lack of rainfall Warm humid- warm season grasses like bermuda, Warm humid- warm season grasses like bermuda,

zoysia, or St. Augustine grasszoysia, or St. Augustine grass Soils are the same characteristics as cool humid Soils are the same characteristics as cool humid

Cool arid/ semi- arid- buffalo grass and wheat grassCool arid/ semi- arid- buffalo grass and wheat grass Acidic soils that generally do not support other grasses Acidic soils that generally do not support other grasses

without fertilization and irrigationwithout fertilization and irrigation Warm arid/ semi- arid- warm season grasses like Warm arid/ semi- arid- warm season grasses like

grama grassesgrama grasses Soils are usually alkaline and low fertility, requires Soils are usually alkaline and low fertility, requires

irrigationirrigation The amount of sun/ shade will also affect grass The amount of sun/ shade will also affect grass

selectionselection

Turfgrass Climatic ZonesTurfgrass Climatic Zones

Add ?’sAdd ?’s

What types of grasses would be used What types of grasses would be used in KY? (Using the climatic zones)in KY? (Using the climatic zones)

Give an example of a specific grass Give an example of a specific grass to use in KY.to use in KY.

Choose another state and determine Choose another state and determine climatic zone and a specific grass.climatic zone and a specific grass.

How can the site be How can the site be properly prepared?properly prepared?

Properly preparing site will reduce many problemsProperly preparing site will reduce many problems Drainage, aeration, soil compaction, pH, soil Drainage, aeration, soil compaction, pH, soil

fertility, and debris may need to be addressedfertility, and debris may need to be addressed Weeds should be removed so as not to compete and Weeds should be removed so as not to compete and

take available nutrients and watertake available nutrients and water Using a herbicide will be helpfulUsing a herbicide will be helpful

Grading the site will help with drainageGrading the site will help with drainage 1-2% slope away from buildings is adequate 1-2% slope away from buildings is adequate Heavy clay soils may require drainage tilesHeavy clay soils may require drainage tiles

Most turfgrass grows best with a pH of 6- 7Most turfgrass grows best with a pH of 6- 7 A pH test will help, especially if bringing in topsoilA pH test will help, especially if bringing in topsoil Amendments to the soil can be made by adding lime or Amendments to the soil can be made by adding lime or

sulfursulfur Soil fertility can also be addressed at this time by adding Soil fertility can also be addressed at this time by adding

organic matter or fertilizerorganic matter or fertilizer

How is seeding How is seeding accomplished?accomplished?

Usually done in early spring late Usually done in early spring late summersummer

Advantages of seeding include:Advantages of seeding include: Picking grass varietyPicking grass variety Having it grow in the environment in Having it grow in the environment in

which it will livewhich it will live Develop deep rootsDevelop deep roots Cheaper than other methodsCheaper than other methods

TaskTask

Read pages 387- 396 in the Read pages 387- 396 in the Introduction to Horticulture book.Introduction to Horticulture book.

Answer questions in the self Answer questions in the self evaluation A- C.evaluation A- C.

How is seeding How is seeding accomplished? (cont.)accomplished? (cont.)

11stst- select proper grass - select proper grass Seeds should be fresh, have a high germination Seeds should be fresh, have a high germination

rate, and lowest weed seed raterate, and lowest weed seed rate Could be a cultivar or Could be a cultivar or Turfgrass blend- a combo of different cultivars Turfgrass blend- a combo of different cultivars

of the same species orof the same species or Turfgrass mixture- a combination of different Turfgrass mixture- a combination of different

grass speciesgrass species 22ndnd- prepare site- prepare site

GradeGrade Remove debrisRemove debris

How is seeding How is seeding accomplished? (cont.)accomplished? (cont.)

33RDRD- Planting - Planting Follow label instructionsFollow label instructions Using a spread, apply half of the seed in one Using a spread, apply half of the seed in one

direction and the other half at a right angle to the direction and the other half at a right angle to the first coursefirst course

Lightly raking the soil will improve germination Lightly raking the soil will improve germination and then roll the lawnand then roll the lawn

Mulch- keeps from drying out ex: strawMulch- keeps from drying out ex: straw Reduces losing seeds to wind or waterReduces losing seeds to wind or water

Adequately water for the first few weeksAdequately water for the first few weeks Mow when grass is ½’ taller than you’d like it to Mow when grass is ½’ taller than you’d like it to

bebe No more than 1/3 of the grass should be removed everNo more than 1/3 of the grass should be removed ever Mulching the grass guttings back into the lawn Mulching the grass guttings back into the lawn

contributes to the health of the turfcontributes to the health of the turf

How is Sod InstalledHow is Sod Installed Sodding is when the mature top layer of turf including the Sodding is when the mature top layer of turf including the

grass with a thin layer of soil is used to establish a new grass with a thin layer of soil is used to establish a new lawnlawn Selected because:Selected because:

Instant lawnInstant lawn Prevents erosionPrevents erosion Ease of upkeepEase of upkeep Usually used in warm season regionsUsually used in warm season regions

Sod should be installed ASAP (ideally within 24hrs of Sod should be installed ASAP (ideally within 24hrs of harvest)harvest)Choose one with a variety of grasses that will grow well Choose one with a variety of grasses that will grow well for the climatic regionfor the climatic region

Consider shade, full sun, etc.Consider shade, full sun, etc. Soil should be moist before installingSoil should be moist before installing Soil should be prepared the same as seedingSoil should be prepared the same as seeding

Graded, amended, etc. Graded, amended, etc. Water once laidWater once laid

Laying Sod VideoLaying Sod Video

How are plugs installed?How are plugs installed? Plugging uses small peieces of sod that are Plugging uses small peieces of sod that are

inserted into an established turf or prepared seed inserted into an established turf or prepared seed bedbed

Often used for the establishment of subtropical Often used for the establishment of subtropical turfgrassses since they do not produce seed wellturfgrassses since they do not produce seed well

Sold by the tray or palletSold by the tray or pallet Used to create a pattern of grass that will Used to create a pattern of grass that will

eventually grow over to fill the empty areaseventually grow over to fill the empty areas Cheaper than regular sod but time consuming an Cheaper than regular sod but time consuming an

dlabor intensivedlabor intensive Planted 6- 8’ apart, firm soil around each plug, Planted 6- 8’ apart, firm soil around each plug,

and keep moist and keep moist Generally covers entire area in one seasonGenerally covers entire area in one season

TaskTask

Read pages 397- 402 in the Read pages 397- 402 in the Introduction to Horticulture.Introduction to Horticulture.

Answer questions in the self Answer questions in the self evaluation 1- 10.evaluation 1- 10.