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Lawn Establishment and Care

Lawn Establishment and Care. Learning Objectives. Compare and contrast the processes of establishing a lawn by seeding vs. sodding. Describe the proper and safe operation of a mower. Describe the maintenance needs of a lawn including irrigation, fertilization, and aeration.

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Lawn Establishment and Care

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  1. Lawn Establishment and Care

  2. Learning Objectives • Compare and contrast the processes of establishing a lawn by seeding vs. sodding. • Describe the proper and safe operation of a mower. • Describe the maintenance needs of a lawn including irrigation, fertilization, and aeration. • Explain the difference between selective and non-selective herbicides.

  3. Functions of Turfgrass • Ornamental • Sports and Recreation • Soil stabilization

  4. Types of Grasses Cool-Season: • Kentucky bluegrass • Tall fescue • Fineleaf fescue • Perennial ryegrass • Crested wheatgrass Warm-Season: • Bermuda grass • Buffalo grass • Zoysia • Bluegrama

  5. Site Prep • Debris removal • Eliminate existing vegetation • Grading • Remove existing topsoil • Grade subsoil (1-15% slope away from the home) • Replace topsoil (should be 4-6 inches) • Soil Amendment • Soil testing is best • Organic amendments • 2 lbs. actual N/1,000 sq. ft. • Surface preparation • Raking and rolling

  6. Establishing a Lawn: Seeding • Least expensive • Timing • Seeding by hand • Mechanical seeder • Mulching • Post-seeding care • Irrigate 2x daily until germination • 0.5 lbs. actual N/1,000 sq. ft. after germination

  7. Establishing a Lawn: Sodding • Sod is grass that is cultivated, mowed, and cut into strips • Provides instant groundcover • Most expensive • Irrigate plot several days before planting

  8. Establishing a Lawn: Sprigs, plugs, and stolons • Plugging • Sometimes called spot-sodding • Sprigging • Pieces of short stems or runners placed in shallow furrows 4-6 inches apart • Stolonizing • Sometimes called broadcast sprigging • Used for very large areas

  9. Maintenance: Mowing • Mowing frequency • Remove only 30% of leaf blade at one time • Mowing height • ½ to 4 inches (varies with species) • Returning clippings • Adds nutrition • Mower operation • Mow when grass is dry • Keep mower blades sharp • Mow in one direction; next time mow at right angle

  10. Power Mower Safety • Wear protective shoes. • Remove debris, rocks, sticks prior to mowing. • Use a stick to remove debris (not fingers) from mower blades. • Tractor mowers should have ROPS and seatbelt. • Disengage PTO before starting the engine. • Ground speed of 2 to 5 miles/hr.

  11. Maintenance: Irrigation • Performed according to need, not schedule • Water thoroughly and infrequently • Apply at least 1 inch per irrigation (soil should be wet down to 6 inches) • Sandy soil: 30 min • Loam: 2 hrs • Clay loam: 3.5 hrs • Automatic sprinkler systems • Rain sensors are helpful • Footprinting method for determining when to irrigate

  12. Maintenance: Fertilization • High in nitrogen (2-4x as much as P or K) • Part slow-release, part quick-release • Timing and rate • Young lawn –½ to 1 lb. actual N/1,000 sq. ft. when grass reaches 2 inches; then every 3-4 weeks • Established lawns • 2 lbs. actual N/1,000 sq. ft. twice a year • Application • Granular, broadcast and water-in • Fertilizer spreader • Diluted liquid provided with irrigation for very sandy soils

  13. Maintenance: Aeration • Relieves compaction • Core aerator removes small cores of soil to a depth of 4 inches • Mechanical or hand tools are available • Performed when grass is actively growing

  14. What is Thatch? • A layer of stems and decaying organic matter that accumulates between the turf surface and the soil • A ½ -inch layer cushions and protects the grass • De-thatching is stressful and rarely indicated for residential lawns!

  15. Weed Control • Good cultural practices • Selective vs. non-selective herbicides • 2,4-D (selective) controls broadleaf weeds in lawns • Dandelion, plantain, clover, puncture vine • Preemergence • Benefin, Dacthal • Kill weedy grasses before they germinate • Do not use “weed-and-feed” herbicide/fertilizer products near tree roots

  16. Review Questions • The least expensive way to establish a new lawn is by _____________. • If you are removing more than 30% of a grass blade at a mowing, you need to mow (more/less) frequently. • Lawns should be irrigated _________ and infrequently. • Thatch can be controlled by regular ____________.

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