1. Turf Establishment and Maintenance

2. Learner outcomes List the main uses of grass in amenity horticulture
Describe the most appropriate site and soil conditions in which to establish grass from seed and turf
State the main merits and limitations of establishing grass from turf and seed
List the main equipment required when sowing grass seed and laying turf
Describe the preparation and establishment of a sward from seed or turf

3. Introduction
Grass will grow in a range of habitats and conditions, depending on the species. Some fine – leaved, others course, some form clumps, others ‘tiller’, and a few become weed species. Grass establishes best when the ground is well drained, the soil is a slightly acid sandy – loam, in full light, and free from weeds.

4. Uses of grass in amenity horticulture
As a foil for plants
In the pursuit of non – sporting leisure activities
Sitting on, and a range of other alfresco activities
Picnics
Play areas

5. Uses of grass in amenity horticulture .............Continued
Play areas
Football
Cricket
Rugby
Golf
Bowls

6. Turf establishment
A grassed area may be established from either turf or seed, the following is an outline of the merits and limitations of establishment from both.

7. Seed Advantages / Merits
Relatively cheap to establish
There are a range of seed mixes available for different situations
Seeds can be sown when the weather is dry
Grass seed can be stored for months in a dry cool place
Light in weight and easy to handle

8. Disadvantages / Limitations
Seed may not germinate
Seed may be eaten by the birds
Takes longer to establish
The ground must be more thoroughly prepared and level
Susceptible to bad weather conditions, drought or very wet
More likely to have competition from weeds during establishment

9. Turf Advantages / Merits
Instant effect
Quicker to establish
Its usability is quicker
Turf can be laid at any time of the year provided the weather conditions are suitable
Ground preparation does not need to be so accurate in terms of fineness of tilth, but must be level and properly consolidated

10. Turf Advantages / Merits ..............continued
Less likely to have competition during establishment from weeds
Easy to create neat edges

11. Disadvantages / Limitations
More expensive than seed to establish
Some turf may be of poor quality, containing weeds
More difficult to lay, and skill required when laying
Ground needs to be moist at time of laying
Maintenance commences shortly after laying
Turf cannot be stored for long periods
Heavy to work with

12. Ground preparation
The basic ground preparation for establishing grass from either seed of turf is more or less the same except that the tilth does not need to be quite so fine when laying turf.

13. Equipment and Materials
Fork
Spade
Half-moon edging iron

14. Equipment and Material ......continued
Rotary Cultivator

15. Equipment and Material ......continued
Wheelbarrow
Landscape rake

16. Equipment and Material ......continued
Iron rake
Tru-lute

17. Equipment and Material ......continued
Brush
Wooden planks or boards to stand on
Garden line
Seed distributor

18. Equipment and Material ......continued
Scales
Fertilizer
Top-dressing

19. Ground Preparation Ensure the ground is thoroughly drained
Cultivate the ground to a suitable depth, usually about 20 – 25cm for top quality lawns established from seed, but less than this when from turf: add top-soil where necessary, but it is expensive. Ground preparation may be done using hand-tools for small areas, however a rotary cultivator is often the preferred choice when large areas need to be prepared, and tractor-mounted equipment for sports-turf areas.
Remove all rubble, and perennial weeds

20. Ground Preparation .......continued
Consolidate the ground by foot ‘treading’ the ground systematically, in both directions if necessary, and NOT when the ground is too wet, usually in April or September
Prepare a level surface by raking, using a landscape rake, the tilth does not need to be so fine when establishing turf
Add fertiliser and rake in , the rate will depend on the fertility of the ground, however an average application would be 50-gm2

21. Establishment from seed
Sow the seed at the recommended rate which is determined by the sward that is to be establish, for fine turf about 20-30gm2, for coarser swards 30-50gm2
The seed should be scattered evenly over the surface and raked in lightly with a landscape rake
Some protection from birds is usually erected or placed over small areas
If a prolonged period of drought is forecast it may be necessary to water the area periodically until the sward is established

22. Establishment from seed ....continued
It may be necessary to lightly roll the grass when about 2.5cm tall, has the effect of consolidating the ground end preventing the seedlings being torn out when mowing
The first cut should be when the grass has reached 5-10cm tall and not cut too low , leaving 2.5cm of grass, gradually lowering the blades until the grass is well established, using a rotary mower

23. Establishment from turf
Arrange for the turf to arrive on site, and be placed either rolled or stacked grass to grass, soil to soil, near where it is to be used
Ensure that the site is level
Work from the longest area to be laid if possible
Place at one end of the site a garden line, and string out a straight edge
Place the first row of turves along the line and tap down lightly with the back of the iron or landscape rake

24. Establishment from turf ......continued
When the first row is complete, place a board on the laid turf and working from the board, adjoin the net row of turf to the row laid, in a stretcher bond pattern, butt up tightly and tap down, cut a straight edge if necessary as work progresses: using rolls of turf reduces the number of joints on completion

26. Establishment from turf ......continued
Work in top dressing into the cracks from the planks using a tru-lute of brush, this helps to conserve moisture, and level out minor undulations in the turf surface
Continue until the whole area is complete
Cut the turves, as required using a half moon edging iron
Water if the weather is dry until the turf has established, turves have a tendency to shrink when dry, and find it more difficult to knit together
Avoid walking on the area until the turf is settled and established

27. conclusion
Establishment of a sward by either seed or turf requires some physical effort, since thorough ground preparation is essential.
The site must be level, even when on a slope, and must be properly consolidated; this avoids undulations appearing later, at the surface, as the ground begins to settle.
The ground should also be warm and slightly moist to aid either germination of the seed, or extension and penetration of the new roots from the turf into the soil, this is why either April or September is generally recommended for sowing or turfing. However, operations should be determined by the prevailing weather conditions, and can be carried out, outside these times.