1. Seeding and Establishment

2. Germination n 1.The seed a.sandwiched between lemma and palea (modified leaves) b.Caryopsis - dried fruit - has seed coat with aleurone layer c.Endosperm - feeds embryo d.Embryo

3. Parts of the Embryo n Apical meristem and immature leaves - develops into shoot n Root primordia plus root cap - develops into seminal root n Coleoptile - protects emerging shoot n Coleorhiza - protects emerging root n Scutellum - involved in getting carbohydrates from endosperm, via the enzyme alpha-amylase

4. n 2.The Germination Process a.Water is imbibed 1.Seed coat dormancy 2.Irreversible b.Enzymes activated 1.Hormones released by scutellum 2.Enzymes needed to breakdown starch are located in the aleurone layer

5. 3.CH 2 O’s transported to embryo by scutellum 4.The larger the endosperm the healthier the seed c.Coleorhiza swells and anchors seed d.Primary root (radicle) pushes through coleorhiza 1.Seminal root e.Coleoptile (sheath) reaches surface and plumule emerges

6. f.Mesocotyl elongates in some seedlings 1.Help protect seed planted deep if reserves OK 2.Adventitious roots emerge from crown 3.Plant is able to manufacture own food after emergence of first leaf

7. n 3.Germination Requirements a.Live, non-dormant seed 1.Store in cool, dry place 2.Species differ in germination b.Adequate moisture 1.Non-reversible process 2.Mulching 3.Light, frequent irrigation 4.Pre-germinated seed 5.Throwing seed on the ground

8. c.Proper temperature 1.Some need alternating temperatures 2.Prechilling of seed Ex. Ky bluegrass 3.Warm - 70-95; Cool - 60-85 Ex. Species Opt. Soil Temp (Fo) Bent59 - 86 Ky-Blue59 - 77 Tall Fescue68 - 86 Warm Season68 - 95

9. d.Oxygen 1.Needed for respiration 2.Water logged soils e.Light 1.Not always required 2.Crabgrass, goosegrass need high light 3.Bury too deep in soil

10. n 4.Causes of Failure a.Plant too deep b.Crusted soil surface 1.Frequent water 2.Mulch 3.Mechanical breaking c.Damage by fertilizer or pesticide d.Dormancy e.Lack of water

11. n 5.Initial size of young plant directly related to seed size a.Amount of CH 2 O reserves n 6.Manage desirable species to out compete undesirables (weeds) a.Cut at height to keep light from soil surface b.Fertilize, etc., to keep stand thick c.Aerate, water, traffic so not to compact soil d.Firm seedbed, proper planting depth, care during early establishment

12. Turf Establishment I. Turf Selection Selection should be based on the following criterion: –Soil Type –Light conditions –Geographic Location –Micro Climates on Site –Desired or Expected Maintenance Level –Knowledge of the many turf species and their requirements for growth

13. II. Site Preparation (1)Soil Samples should be submitted 4-5 weeks before turf installation (2) Site should be Cleared of all rocks, trash and unwanted vegetation. (2) Site should be Cleared of all rocks, trash and unwanted vegetation. (3)Preplant weed control may be obtained with nonselective herbicides and soil fumigants. (4)Grading of the site involves two steps rough grading and final grading. (5)Rough grading involves major earth moving major draining correction

14. (6)After Rough grading has occurred major soil modification should take place and may involve the addition of lime, fertilizers, organic amendments and new soil. (7)Once all rough grading has taken place, the installation of drainage lines and irrigation systems should begin.

15. (8)Final grading may be accomplished by several methods including: hand raking, drag mats, and cultipacker/landscape blades. (9)Before the planting of any grass proper starter fertilizer should be applied to the site, and should be based on the soil test.

16. III.Turfgrass Planting The four main types of turf establishment are: seeding,sprigging,pluggingplugging After all site preparations have been completed establishment may begin. After all site preparations have been completed establishment may begin.

17. n Seeding. –Correct methods of spreading seeds include: rotary spreader, drop spreader hydroseeder –All methods of spreading seed must be calibrated so that they will apply the seeds at the correct rate and uniform in distribution. –After seeds are spread they should be mulched with straw/hay to help maintain soil moisture –Types of Mulches in use today include: straw (wheat), pine straw fiber mats/cloths, shredded newspaper

18. n Sprigging (1)What are sprigs? individual plants or sections of grass plants which contain several viable nodes, usually stolons (2)Grasses which may be sprigged are: bermuda’s, zoysia, St. Augustine, Bentgrass (3)Sprigs may be spread and planted by: hand placement (individual), Broadcast/mechanical (4)Equipment which may be used to spread sprigs include: hand placement, sprig planters, hydro seeder.

19. (5)To help insure sprig establishment, the sprigs should be rolled/packed to insure good soil contact, manual packing, rollers and cultipackers may be used to pack the sprigs into the soil. (6)After the sprigs have been planted the should be watered 3-5 times per day for the first 2 weeks after planting.

20. (7)A light application of mulch (straw) may be applied to the sprigs to help maintain adequate soil moisture. (8)Fertilizing the sprigs will depend on the type of grass and the desired rate of establishment. In general you should apply balanced fertilizer at the time of sprigging and 1/2 lb N/1000 sq ft very two weeks for a month after sprig planting.

21. n Plugs (1)What are plugs? small sections of turf which include roots. (2)Grasses which may be plugged include: All grasses which spread by stolons and or Rhizomes. (2)Grasses which may be plugged include: All grasses which spread by stolons and or Rhizomes. (3)Sources of plugs are: individually grown plugs, sod cut up, aeration cores.

22. (4)Plugs may be planted by hand and by specialized machine. (5)The watering schedule for plugs is basically the same as for sprigging.

23. n Sod (1) What is Sod? large sections of intact turf (2)Which grasses may be planted as sod? all grasses (3)Sod is planted by laying the sections in a uniform manner without cracks between sections to provide a complete covering of the soil. (4)After the sod is laid it must be rolled to insure there is good root to soil contact.

24. (5)If after laying the sod cracks are still present they should be filled with sand/soil to reduce desiccation of the sod edges. (6)In some cases the sod may be topdressed with sand to reduce undulations on the turf. This practice of topdressing is mainly used in the golf course industry for newly sodded tees and greens.

25. (7)After installation, sod should be watered as follows: lightly 3-5 times/day to maintain adequate soil moisture for minimum of 2 weeks after planting

26. n Post Planting Care (1) Mowing: Seeded sites Sprigs/PlugsSod (2)Fertilization: Seeded sites Sprigs/PlugsSod

27. (3)Pest Management: Weeds in newly established lawns. Insects in newly established lawns. Diseases of newly seeded lawns.

28. n IV.Lawn Renovation 1. What is renovation? Establishment of new or different turf into or on an existing site without major soil disturbance (1)There are two types of renovation complete and partial. (2)Partial Renovation involves the establishment of a new turf in an existing lawn without killing the existing lawn.

29. (3)Benefits of partial renovation include reduced erosion and better control of soil moisture by using the old lawn as a nurse grass. (4)Problems which may result from partial renovation are lack of control of problem weeds and possible competition from the old turf. (4)Problems which may result from partial renovation are lack of control of problem weeds and possible competition from the old turf.

30. (5)Complete renovation involves the killing/removal of the existing turf without major soil disturbance. (6)Benefits from complete renovation are complete control of problem weeds and existing turf, which result in less competition for the new turf.

31. (7)Complete renovation sites may suffer from erosion and poor water retention due to the removal of all organic matter/vegetative material from the site. (8)The three ways to establish turf during a partial renovation are: overseeding, slit seeding and plugging/sprigging.

32. (9)The procedure for partial renovation is: a. mow old lawn short and remove clippings. b.use selective herbicides or spot sprig nonselective herbicides to control problem weeds c.verticut or aerate d. seed, slit seed, plug

33. Slit Seeder

34. Seed Box

35. Seed Delivery

36. (10)The procedure for complete renovation is: a. use nonselective herbicide to kill lawn and weeds b.wait recommended time before planting c. mow site low after kill and remove clippings d. verticut heavily or aerate site

37. e. remove debris and or drag in cores f. seed, slit seed, plug (11)Post planting care for a renovated site is basically the same as normal establishment procedures.