1. Horticulture II - Landscape Unit C Landscape Installation and Maintenance

2. Objective 5.03 Apply Procedures to install turfgrass

3. Procedures for selecting grass species  Step 1 – Determine the intended use or wear of the grass  Select between utility, home lawn, athletic field, and golf course  For athletic fields and home lawns, select whether the grass is to be a high profile or low profile use  For golf courses, select whether the grass will be for greens, fairways/tees, or rough  Step 2 – Evaluate the individual grass characteristics needed for the installation  Determine the shade tolerance needed by the grass for the site  Determine the heat/cold tolerance needed by the grass for the site  Determine the drought tolerance needed for the site  Step 3 – Determine the appearance expectations  Identify the color preference and if there are any dormancy issues  Determine the texture and density requirements

4. Procedures for selecting grass species  Step 4 – Determine maintenance issues  Determine the amount of time available to spend on maintaining the turf  Calculate the amount of money available to spend on turf maintenance  Step 5 – Combine results from Steps 1 through 4 and use them to select the best turf  Use the computer selection process from http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/turfselect/turfselection.aspx or  Refer to Carolina Lawns for recommendations on the right turf

5. Procedures for Site Preparation  Step 1 – Remove obstacles from the site  Remove any rocks larger than the diameter of a quarter  Remove trash and building debris from the site  If the sit is heavily shaded, remove trees prior to turf installation  Step 2 – Control perennial weeds with a nonselective herbicide (refer to Objective 6.02)  Follow all pesticide label directions including licensing requirements, safety procedures, rates of application, reentry times, etc.  Spray the site to eliminate all vegetation  Step 3 – Install drainage (if needed)  Large areas that are low and wet may require underground tile or plastic drain lines installed  Smaller wet areas may require moving soil from other areas to fill in and level the surface

6. Procedures for Site Preparation  Step 4 – Grade the site to establish a pleasing contour with 2 to 3 percent slope away from buildings to ensure proper drainage  Build protective walls around trees if the final grade is to be appreciably high than the current level  Remove the top 4 to 8 inches of topsoil and stockpile prior to grading  Shape the underlying subsoil to the desired contour  Redistribute topsoil uniformly above the subsoil  Firm the soil with a weighted roller after shaping to the point that there are no visible footprints after walking on it  Step 5 – Water the area to improve settling  Observe standing water  Redistribute soil to fill areas that settle unevenly

8. Procedures for Soil Preparation  Step 1 – If needed add soil amendments and incorporate into the top soil with a rotary tiller or tractor and disc  Mix 1 to 2 cubic yards of peat moss or compost per 1,000 square feet into the top 6 to 8 inches on heavy clay soil to alleviate compaction  Mix 1 to 2 cubic yards of peat moss or compost per 1,000 square feet into the top 6 to 8 inches of very sandy soil to improve water retention  Step 2 – Take soil test to determine the amounts of lime and fertilizer needed  Obtain soil sampling materials for use in soil testing  Visit the local North Carolina Agricultural Extension Service office or North Carolina Department of Agriculture Agronomic Division office in Raleigh  Pick up Soil Sample Boxes and Soil Sample Information Form

9. Procedures for Soil Preparation  Step 2  Secure tools to complete the sampling process  Select sampling tools that are not made of brass, bronze, or galvanized metal  Clean sampling tools (spade, soil probe, garden trowel, and plastic bucket) and allow drying prior to sampling  Inspect the area to be sampled for unique conditions and collect a separate sample for each unique grass or condition  Note areas of poorly growing grass to sample separately  Note different soil types to be sampled separately  Use sampling tools to collect random samples from each unique area  Collect seven to eight core samples to a depth of 3-4” for small areas and place in the plastic bucket  Collect ten to fifteen core samples to a depth of 3-4” for larger areas and place in the plastic bucket

10. Procedures for Soil Preparation  Step 2  Complete each unique sample separately  Mix core samples thoroughly in the plastic bucket  Use the mixture to fill the Soil Sample Box 2/3 full or to the red fill line on the box  Do not tape the box or place the soil in a plastic bag prior to or after placing the soil in the Sample Box  Place the Identifier number or letters you chose along with your name and address on the Soil Sample Box. (Fyard could be front yard, 1gree could be for the green on the first hole at the golf course, 00001 could be for either)  Make note of the identifier number for each sample for later reference  Complete the Soil Sample Information form for the Identifier number with information about the lime and crops to be grown  Discard the leftover mixture  Clean the bucket and tools prior to taking samples from other unique areas  Repeat the process for each unique sample

11. Procedures for Soil Preparation  Step 2  Prepare soil samples for delivery to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture Agronomic Division  Place Soil Sample Box or Boxes in a sturdy mailing container and ship according to instructions included on the box OR  Deliver Soil Sample Box(es) to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture Agronomic Division Soil Testing Section

12. Procedures for Soil Preparation  Step 3 – Apply pre-plant fertilizer based on soil test report recommendations (if no soil test report was obtained see the optional step 3 below)  Select the appropriate fertilizer ratio of N-P-K to meet the soil test recommendations  Calculate the total pounds of fertilizer needed to supply the N-P-K for the area sampled  Divide the total pounds of fertilizer needed in half  Select a rotary or drop type spreader and move across the area in one direction to apply one half of the fertilize  Spread the remaining half of fertilizer by moving the spreader at right angles to the first pass  Incorporate lime and fertilizer into the top 6 to 8 inches of the soil with a disk or rototiller, especially when planting sod

13. Procedures for Soil Preparation  Step 3 – OPTIONAL for all grasses except Centipede when a soil test report is not obtained  Apply and incorporate 75 pounds of ground limestone per 1,000 square feet as in step 3 above  Apply and incorporate, as above, a starter fertilizer at the rate of 40 pounds per 1,000 square feet of 5-10-10 or 20 pounds per 1,000 square feet of 10-20-20, or 16 pounds of 18-24-6 per 1,000 square feet  For sandy soils increase the rates of lime and fertilizer by 20 percent

14. Procedures for Soil Preparation  Step 4 – Rake or harrow the planting site to establish a smooth and level final grade  Break up any crusty surface before planting  Hand raking is the best way to level the soil and work out hills and hollows  Firm the soil prior to planting seed, sprigs, plugs, or sod

16. Planting Turf by Seed  Step1 – Determine the optimum planting time and amount of seed needed per 1,000 square feet  Use Table 5 from Carolina Lawns to determine the best time for planting  Use Table 5 from Carolina Lawns to determine the amount of seed required  Step 2 – Determine seed quality and select the best quality seed for planting  Use the seed tag to determine seed quality  Consider date of seed tag, variety, germination percentage, purity, percentage by weight of inert matter, percentage by weight of other crop seed, percentage by weigh of weed seed, and price to determine the best seed to purchase  If possible, select certified seed as identified by the blue seed tag and purchase certified seed with a high germination percentage

17. Planting Turf by Seed  Step 3 – Spread the seed evenly over the area to be planted  Select a rotary or drop type spreader and move across the area in one direction to apply one half of the seed  Spread the remaining half of seed by moving the spreader at right angles to the first pass  Step 4 – Ensure good soil to seed contact  Lightly cover the seed by hand raking or dragging  Roll the soil lightly to firm the surface

18. Planting Turf by Seed  Step 5 – Conserve moisture, control erosion, and reduce surface crusting until establishment  Use one bale per 1,000 square feet of weed-free hay or small-grain straw for warm- season grasses or two bales per 1,000 square feet of weed-free hay or small-grain straw for cool-season grasses as mulch  Stabilize the mulch by rolling or watering and applying twine as netting as necessary  Step 6 – Water to keep the top 1-1/2 inches of soil moist for 7-21 days  Water lightly two to three times a day  As seedlings grow water less frequently but for longer periods to ensure deeper watering  Water bluegrass mixtures for longer periods as bluegrass takes 7 to 14 days longer than other grasses in the mixture to germinate  After the third mowing, water to a depth of 6 to 8 inches once a week as needed

20. Planting Turf by Sod  Step 1 – Determine the optimum planting time and amount of sod needed  For cool season grasses, sod can be laid anytime in the cooler portion of the growing season as long as the ground is not frozen  For warm season grasses, sod can be laid as long as the soil temperature is above 55˚F as long as care is taken to keep the soil from drying out  Measure the area to be sodded to determine the square footage needed  Step 2 – Purchase certified sod  Confirm that the sod is certified by the blue “certified” tag on the container  Install sod within 24 hours of delivery is possible  Unstack and unroll sod that can not be laid within 48 hours  Keep sod moist and fresh until planted and established

21. Planting Turf by Sod  Step 3 – Plant sod strips  Keep soil where sod is to be planted moist, but not overly wet by irrigating a couple days prior to delivery  Keep sod in the shade while installation is taking place to avoid heat buildup  Start laying sod along a straight edge such as sidewalk or driveway  Lay sod lengthwise across the face of slopes and stake in place if needed to prevent slippage  Butt strips of sod together in a “brick-like” pattern  Do not stretch the sod  Use a sharp knife or spade to cut sod to fit irregularly shaped areas  Use soil to even the height of the sod  Once sod is in place, roll the lawn to ensure good sod-to-soil contact

22. Planting Turf by Sod  Step 4 – Irrigate to maintain moisture until sod is established  Water deeper than when planting by seed  Water to a depth just below the root system  If you observe runoff, shut the system off and wait for the existing water to enter the soil. Go back and rewet until the water reaches the appropriate depth  Do not irrigate again until you see visual signs of wilt or foot-printing  A soil probe can aid in the visual estimate of moisture content

24. Planting Turf by Sprigs  Step 1 – Determine the optimum planting time and amount of sprigs needed per 1,000 square feet  Use Table 5 from Carolina Lawns to determine the best time for planting  Use Table 5 from Carolina Lawns to determine the amount of sprigs required  Step 2 – Purchase certified sprigs  Confirm that the sprigs are certified by the blue “certified” tag on the container  Keep sprigs moist and fresh until they are planted and established

25. Planting Turf by Sprigs  Step 3 – Plant sprigs with some part left above ground  Space or uniformly broadcast sprigs over the area to be planted  Press the sprigs into the top ½ to 1 inch of soil by hand or by using a disk set straight, special planter, cultipacker, or roller  Use the higher recommendation amounts in order for sprigs to give faster coverage  Step 4 – Irrigate to maintain moisture until sprigs are established  Keep the top 1 ½ inches of soil moist for the first two to three weeks  Once sprigs are established, water deeper  Follow guidelines established for irrigating sod

27. Planting Turf by Plugs  Applicable for some warm season grasses and excellent means of introducing a more adapted species into an old lawn  Step 1 – Determine the optimum planting time and secure the plugs needed  Step 2 – Select plugs from a “certified” source or use 2 inch or larger pieces existing material cut from other areas of the lawn  Step 3 – Plant plugs in the area to be renovated on 6 or 12 inch centers  Plugs should be planted so that they are level with the existing lawn material  Use 6” centers for faster coverage  Step 4 – Irrigate to maintain moisture until plugs are established  Follow irrigation procedure used for establishing sod