Lawns

Purpose of lawns Ornamental Recreation Utility

Planning a lawn Location –Soil type, moisture, light, surrounding plants, zone Use Type of grass Time, cost of maintenance Time, cost of installation

Location

Turfgrass & shade

Types of turfgrass Regional adaptation of species –Cool season grasses Grows well at 60-75F Growth ceases over 80F Intolerant of heavy shade –Warm season grasses Grows well at 80-95F Dormant in winter (brown)

Grass types

Turfgrass adaptation maps 1&2 – cool 4 – warm 3 – transition zone

Turfgrass adaptation maps

Turfgrass adaptation zones ZoysiaTall fescue Centipede

Uses Zoysia – prickly blades St. Augustine – intolerant to traffic & compaction

Resistance to wear Traffic tolerant –Cool season: Tall fescue –Warm season: Bahia, Bermuda Traffic intolerant –Saint Augustine grass

Grass texture

Growth habit Many cool season grasses are bunching (can get clumpy)

Competitiveness (aggressiveness) Colonizing species desired on slopes Aggressiveness depends on environmental conditions Aggressive grasses –Zoysia stolons are very aggressive – can grow under edging –Bermudagrass

Maintenance High maintenance types –Dethatching required –Disease & insect susceptible –Frequent mowing –Warm season: Bahia, bermuda –Cool season: bentgrass, bluegrass

Maintenance Low maintenance –Resistant to drought & diseases –Cool season: Tall fescue –Warm season: centipede, zoysia

Shade Many grasses are shade intolerant Shade tolerant types –Cool season: red fescue, chewing fescue –Warm season: centipede, TotalityTotality

Lawn shapes

Installing a lawn Seeding –Soil preparation Nutrient, pH testing (6.5) Amend for drainage, soil texture Remove debris, coarse material Roll Fertilize (starter fertilizer – high P) Weed control, if desired

Buying grass seed Straight – one species Blend – 2 or more cultivars of same species Mixture – 2 or more speciesMixture –Temporary species for quick establishment –Permanent species (>60% of mix)

Online resources NCSU turfFiles Carolina lawns Bermudagrass.com Allaboutlawns.com Fine Gardening

Time to sow Cool season: late summer/early fall Warm season: late spring

Seeding rate (~1oz/sq. yd.) Desire a dense lawn Rate varies by grass type Seeding devises

Mulching seed beds Wheat straw most common –Protect seed from birds –Prevent washing away –Conserve moisture –Control erosion –Roll

Hydroseeding

Sodding Instant coverage Least problematic Most expensive Can install anytime

Laying sod Use immediately Tight fit Stagger pieces Roll

Plugging Sod plugs (1.5-2”) spaced 6-12”

Sprigging Spreading stolons

Lawn maintenance Mowing Irrigation Fertilization Weed control Disease and insect pests Aeration/scarification (dethatching) pH correction Leaf removal

Lawn maintenance Mowing height

Mowing principles Never remove more than 30% of blade length Mow when dry –Disease suspectibility –Weight of cuttings Keep blades sharp Alternate mowing pattern

Mowers Bagging vs. mulching

Edging

Trimmers/edgers

Watering Most grasses require 1” water per week Soil moisture should reach 4” depth –Light watering may encourage upward root growth Water in mornings or evenings (mornings preferred)

Irrigation

Fertilizing Follow recommendations for lawns

Fertilizer formulations

Fertilization Broadcast vs. drop spreading Liquid fertilization

Disease and pest control Disease problems Insect problems Turfgrass pests

Grub damage

Weed control Pre-emergence selective herbicides (broadleaf herbicides) Post-emergence selective herbicides Forms: granulars, liquid sprays 2,4-D popular

Dethatching/Scarifying

Aeration

Topdressing

Lawn or groundcover? Turfgrasses establish poorly in deep shade Turgrasses may be difficult to establish on steep banks

Lawn alternatives Blue rug juniper Dwarf mondo grass (shade) Chamomile, thyme

Chamomile as a lawn alternative

Thyme as a lawn alternative

Lawn alternatives Pachysandra

Turfgrass industry Oakland turf farm, Council, NCOakland turf farm Dream Turf