Selecting and Installing Turfgrass on the Landscape Site Presentation: C

Turfgrass Planting Methods Seeding Hydro-seeding Seed mats Sodding Plugging Sprigging John Dillingham

Seeding Economical Less labor intensive Most turfgrasses can be established from seed Develops a deep root system Requires the most time to become established

Steps to Seeding a Lawn Calculate the amount of seed needed. Wait for the proper temperature for planting. Lightly roll the prepared soil. Scatter seed evenly over the soil and lightly rake the area. Cover with mulch & water.

Hydro-seeding Most efficiently used on large areas & on steep slopes. Seed is mixed with fibrous wood-mulch, water, & fertilizer. Mixture is sprayed onto prepared soil. Can be sprayed up to 200 feet away.

Seed Mats Great way to quickly start a lawn in a controlled manner. Seed mats are layers of biodegradable mulch with turfgrass seeds already inside. Roll out mats on prepared soil. Water the mats thoroughly . Can also be used to patch bare spots.

Sodding Produces an almost “instant” lawn. Easy to establish without a lot of care. Great for establishment under trees because the sod already has a root system of its own. Several turfgrass varieties can be sodded.

Sodding John Dillingham

Steps to Sodding Choose healthy, weed-free sod. Dampen the prepared soil. Unroll & place sod strips parallel to each other. Lay sod squares with ends staggered. Roll sod & water thoroughly. Video

Sodding John Dillingham

Sodding John Dillingham

Sodding John Dillingham

Sodding John Dillingham

Sodding John Dillingham

Plugging Involves planting turfgrass plugs at specific intervals across the lawn. Not readily used due to labor intensiveness & slower establishment. Mainly used for installing warm-season turfgrasses.

Steps to Plugging Remove 2- to 3-inch plugs from the soil with a plugging tool. Holes should be 6 to 14 inches apart, depending on plug size. Insert turfgrass plugs into holes. Firm the soil around each plug & water thoroughly. Video

Sprigging Involves the spreading of live plant parts over a prepared area. A sprig consists of 3 to 4 nodes of a turfgrass with roots attached. Uses less plant material than plugging & establishes quicker. Used for warm-season turfgrasses.

Steps to Sprigging Make shallow furrows 2 to 3 inches deeps across the prepared area. Place the sprigs into the furrows 6 to 12 inches apart. Firm soil around sprigs & water thoroughly. Spriggin Sod to Sprig

Post-Planting Care C. Stetter Pedestrian traffic should be restricted for 6-8 weeks after planting. Irrigate area to a depth of 6-8 inches several times a week until roots are established. Fertilize as needed.