Lawn Maintenance
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BERMUDAGRASS TURF SPECIFICATIONS
CHARACTERISTICS:
Warm-season grass - fine to medium leaf texture, dark green, dense and low-growing via rhizomes and stolons - some varieties tolerate very low maintenance, while others produce lawns of exceptional beauty when given extra care - root system is extensive and very deep.
RECOMMENDED USAGE:
Best adapted to hot, dry or tropical climates - recommended for residential and commercial landscapes, golf courses, sport fields, parks and recreation areas - ideal for homes with children and pets.
TEMPERATURE TOLERANCE:
Excellent heat tolerance up to 110 (F. - performs best during periods of heat - has a winter dormancy period, turns tan to brown at temperatures below 55(F. - Poor cold hardiness.
DROUGHT RESISTANCE:
Superior - highly drought resistant, but also responds to irrigation in dry periods. Can go into summer dormancy when irrigation is withheld; upon return of moisture supply, will green up again. Some varieties have better tolerance to heat and drought.
SHADE ADAPTATION:
Poor - requires full sun for most of the day to grow properly - should not be used in a shady site.
WEAR RESISTANCE:
Excellent - withstands wear better than most grasses - can tolerate heavy traffic and when injured recovers more rapidly than other grasses.
Consult your local Turfgrass Producers International Grower if more information is needed on this or other turfgrass species.
BERMUDAGRASS MAINTENANCE
Taking good care of your lawn often requires no more work overall than taking poor care of it. A lawn that is properly mowed, fertilized and watered has far fewer problems with weeds, diseases and insects. A well-kept lawn also remains dense and attractive, providing you much more enjoyment and environmental benefits.
WATER NEEDS:
Moderate - apply at least 1 inch of water as a deep soaking every 4 to 7 days to encourage a deep, healthy root system during hot or dry periods. Avoid frequent, shallow watering that results in shallow roots, permitting weed germination and growth.
MOWING and THATCHING:
Optimum mowing height is 1-2 inches for a quality lawn. Slow growth results in less mowing. Mow regularly with a sharp rotary or reel mower, allowing clippings from frequent mowing to remain on the lawn. Never remove more than 1/3 of the shoot growth at one mowing. Minimal thatch build-up seldom requires dethatching.
SOIL and FERTILIZER NEEDS:
Prefers an acidic soil pH of 5.5 to 6.5 - is well adapted to infertile, well-drained soil - very low fertilizer requirement. Fertilize 1 or 2 times a year, spring and fall, with a complete fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphate and potassium - apply nitrogen at 1-2 lbs per 1,000 sq. ft. per year.
DISEASE, WEED and INSECT CONTROL:
Aggressive enough to compete with weeds, reducing the need for chemical controls. Minimal disease and insect problems that can be chemically controlled.
All information is based on average/normal conditions; individual sites and situations may differ. Therefore, contact your local nurseryman or county Extension Office if more detailed information in needed on specific maintenance questions.
CENTIPEDEGRASS TURF SPECIFICATIONS
CHARACTERISTICS:
Warm-season grass - dense, medium to dark green turf - produces an attractive lawn with a medium- to coarse-textured grass blade - a very low-maintenance grass.
RECOMMENDED USAGE:
Good general-purpose grass for lawns - best adapted to hot, humid and tropical climates, grows well where rainfall is high and summers are warm and humid - popular because of low maintenance.
TEMPERATURE TOLERANCE:
Grows well in full sun - very tolerant to high temperatures, up to 100(F, but sensitive to low temperatures, going dormant through winter months at temperatures below 55(F. Cold hardiness ranks between bermudagrass and St. Augustinegrass.
DROUGHT RESISTANCE:
Moderate - is sensitive to drought, but has a rapid recovery rate. Can go into summer dormancy when irrigation is withheld, upon return of moisture supply, will green up again.
SHADE ADAPTATION:
Good - some varieties maintain adequate turf quality in 60% shade - tolerant of pine tree shade.
WEAR RESISTANCE:
Poor - slow growth pattern - will not withstand heavy wear - recovers slowly from damage.
Consult your local Turfgrass Producers International Grower if more information is needed on this or other turfgrass species.
CENTIPEDEGRASS MAINTENANCE
Taking good care of your lawn often requires no more work overall than taking poor care of it. A lawn that is properly mowed, fertilized and watered has far fewer problems with weeds, diseases and insects. A well-kept lawn also remains dense and attractive, providing you much more enjoyment and environmental benefits.
WATER NEEDS:
Moderate - apply at least 1 inch of water as a deep soaking every 4 to 7 days to encourage a deep, healthy root system during hot or dry periods. Avoid frequent, shallow watering that results in shallow roots, permitting weed germination and growth.
MOWING and THATCHING:
Optimum mowing height is 1-2 inches for a quality lawn. Slow growth results in less mowing. Mow regularly with a sharp rotary or reel mower, allowing clippings from frequent mowing to remain on the lawn. Never remove more than 1/3 of the shoot growth at one mowing. Minimal thatch build-up seldom requires dethatching.
SOIL and FERTILIZER NEEDS:
Prefers an acidic soil pH of 5 to 6.5 - is well adapted to infertile, well-drained soil - very low fertilizer requirement. Fertilize 1 or 2 times a year, spring and fall, with a complete fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphate and potassium - apply nitrogen at 1-2 lbs per 1,000 sq. ft. per year.
DISEASE, WEED and INSECT CONTROL:
Aggressive enough to compete with weeds, reducing the need for chemical controls. Minimal disease and insect problems that can be chemically controlled.
All information is based on average/normal conditions; individual sites and situations may differ. Therefore, contact your local nurseryman or county Extension Office if more detailed information in needed on specific maintenance questions.
ST. AUGUSTINEGRASS TURF SPECIFICATIONS
CHARACTERISTICS:
Warm-season grass - light to medium green color, coarse leaf texture, creeping growth habit, via stolons - robust, fast growing, establishes rapidly - level of maintenance is low to moderate.
RECOMMENDED USAGE:
Well adapted to coastal regions with hot, tropical climates - used in residential, commercial and industrial landscapes.
TEMPERATURE TOLERANCE:
Thrives in heat, adjusting well to temperatures up to 105(F - goes dormant and turns tan colored during winter when temperatures drop below 55(F. Very poor low temperature hardiness.
DROUGHT RESISTANCE:
Excellent to fair - wide range in drought avoidance among varieties. Can go into summer dormancy when irrigation is withheld; upon return of moisture, will green up again.
SHADE ADAPTATION:
Excellent to poor - varieties show wide range in shade adaptation.
WEAR RESISTANCE:
Moderate - rapid, resilient and stoloniferous growth habit.
Consult your local Turfgrass Producers International Grower if more information is needed on this or other turfgrass species.
ST. AUGUSTINEGRASS MAINTENANCE
Taking good care of your lawn often requires no more work overall than taking poor care of it. A lawn that is properly mowed, fertilized and watered has far fewer problems with weeds, diseases and insects. A well kept lawn also remains dense and attractive, providing you much more enjoyment and environmental benefits.
WATER NEEDS:
Moderate to high, thrives on wet sites - apply 0.5 to 1 inch of water as a deep soaking every 3 to 6 days to encourage a deep, healthy root system during dry or hot periods. Avoid frequent, shallow watering that results in shallow roots, permitting weed germination and growth.
MOWING and THATCHING:
Optimum mowing height 2-3 inches for a high quality lawn, mow too low and weeds are likely to gain a foothold. Mow regularly with a sharp rotary or reel mower, allowing clippings from frequent mowing to remain of the lawn. Never remove more than 1/3 of the shoot growth at one mowing. A mild vertical cutting may be needed during the warmer months on a vigorous turf that has received high nitrogen fertilization.
SOIL and FERTILIZER NEEDS:
Grows on a wide range of soils, but prefers neutral to alkaline soils - has excellent saline salt tolerance. Fertilize twice a year, spring and fall, with a complete fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphate and potassium. May also apply 2 to 3 summer applications of nitrogen fertilizer, using 1 lb. nitrogen per 1,000 sq. ft. Apply nitrogen at 2 to 6 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. per year. Too high a rate of nitrogen fertilization can increase thatch build-up, encourage chinch bugs and brown patch damage.
DISEASE, WEED and INSECT CONTROL:
A well-maintained turf will provide the best weed control. Some varieties are resistant or tolerant of chinch bugs and to the St. Augustine decline (SAD) virus. Most fungal diseases of St. Augustinegrass can be controlled with fungicides.
All information is based on average/normal conditions; individual sites and situations may differ. Therefore, contact your local nurseryman or county Extension Office if more detailed information is needed on specific maintenance questions.
TALL FESCUE TURF SPECIFICATIONS
CHARACTERISTICS:
Cool-season grass - medium to dark green color, moderate density - more extensive root system than any other cool-season turfgrass. Texture ranges from coarse to medium for newer turf-types. A bunch-type grass.
RECOMMENDED USAGE:
Very good transition zone grass - adapted to moderately cold winters and warm summers - good tough play lawn - recommended for a wide variety of uses, including residential and commercial landscapes, roadsides, parks, recreation areas, and sports fields.
TEMPERATURE TOLERANCE:
Good heat tolerance for a cool-season grass - grows in a wide range of temperatures in the transitional climatic zone between cool and warm climates - less cold hardy than most cool-season grasses.
DROUGHT RESISTANCE:
Good - one of the better cool-season turfgrasses, fairly deep root system helps avoid drought. Can go into summer dormancy, with brown leaves, when irrigation is withheld; upon return of moisture supply, will green up again. Some varieties have better tolerance to heat and drought.
SHADE ADAPTATION:
Good in transition zone - prefers full sun - moderately tolerant to partial shade. Of the cool-season grasses, only fine-leafed rescues rank higher in shade adaptation.
WEAR RESISTANCE:
Good - suitable for moderate recreation and foot traffic areas exhibiting good initial wear recovery, especially in spring and fall when growth is rapid.
Consult your local Turfgrass Producers International Grower if more information is needed on this or other turfgrass species.
TALL FESCUE MAINTENANCE
Taking good care of your lawn often requires no more work overall than taking poor care of it. A lawn that is properly mowed, fertilized and watered has far fewer problems with weeds, diseases and insects. A well kept lawn also remains dense and attractive, providing you much more enjoyment and environmental benefits.
WATER NEEDS:
Moderate - apply 0.5 to 1 inch of water as a deep soaking every 3 to 7 days to encourage a deep, healthy root system during dry or hot periods. Avoid frequent, shallow watering that results in shallow roots, permitting weed germination and growth.
MOWING and THATCHING:
Optimum mowing height of 2 to 3 inches for a high-quality lawn. Mow regularly with a sharp rotary or reel mower, allowing clippings from frequent mowing to remain on the lawn. Never remove more than 1/3 of the shoot growth at one mowing. Tall fescue forms very little thatch.
SOIL and FERTILIZER NEEDS:
Adapts to a wide range of soil conditions - has rather deep extensive root system for a cool-season grass that makes excellent use of soil moisture and mineral nutrients - good tolerance to saline soil conditions. Fertilize twice a year, spring and fall, with a complete fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphate and potassium - apply N at 2 to 4 lbs. per sq. ft. per year. Will respond well to high nitrogen applications to achieve a higher quality turf. Water thoroughly after fertilization.
DISEASE, WEED and INSECT CONTROL:
Varieties are available that are resistant to net blotch, brown patch and crown rust. For weeds, chemical controls are most effective during fall and spring.
All information is based on average/normal conditions; individual sites and situations may differ. Therefore, contact your local nurseryman or county Extension Office.
ZOYSIAGRASS TURF SPECIFICATIONS
CHARACTERISTICS:
Warm-season grass - leaf texture from fine to medium coarse - color ranges from light to medium green - forms a dense, low maintenance lawn - spreads by stolons and rhizomes - shoot growth rate is slow. Easy to maintain.
RECOMMENDED USAGE:
Hot, humid and tropical climates - can withstand very heavy usage - recommended for residential and commercial lawn sites.
TEMPERATURE TOLERANCE:
Tolerates heat exceptionally well up to 100(F - subject to winter dormancy as it turns tan to brown at temperatures below 55(F - Zoysia japonica has fair cold hardiness, the best of the zoysias, but still ranks lower than cool-season turfgrasses.
DROUGHT RESISTANCE:
Moderate to good - remains green and resists short periods of drought - takes heat as well or better than any other grass. Can go into summer dormancy when irrigation is withheld; upon return of moisture supply, will green up again. Some varieties have better tolerance to heat and drought.
SHADE ADAPTATION:
Good - slow growing in partial shade, but much better than some warm-season grasses.
WEAR RESISTANCE:
Superior - exceptionally hardy, has the best wear resistance of any grass - tolerates heavy traffic, but slow to recover from severe thinning.
Consult your local Turfgrass Producers International Grower if more information is needed on this or other turfgrass species.
ZOYSIAGRASS MAINTENANCE
Taking good care of your lawn often requires no more work overall than taking poor care of it. A lawn that is properly mowed, fertilized and watered has far fewer problems with weeds, diseases and insects. A well-kept lawn also remains dense and attractive, providing you much more enjoyment and environmental benefits.
WATER NEEDS:
Low to medium - apply at least 1 inch of water as a deep soaking every, 4 to 7 days to encourage a deep, healthy root system during dry or hot periods. Avoid frequent, shallow watering that results in shallow roots, permitting weed germination and growth.
MOWING and THATCHING:
Optimum mowing height 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches for a high-quality lawn, slow growth rate reduces mowing frequency. Mow regularly with a sharp rotary or reel mower, allowing clippings from frequent mowing to remain on the lawn. Never remove more than 1/3 of the shoot growth at one mowing. Periodic vertical cutting may be needed to control thatch accumulation if high nitrogen level is applied.
SOIL and FERTILIZATION NEEDS:
Tolerates high salinity and infertile soil relatively well. Fertilize twice a year, spring and fall, with a complete fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphate and potassium. May also apply 1 or 2 summer fertilizer applications in climates with a long growing season. Apply N at 2 to 5 lbs per 1,000 sq. ft. per year. Water thoroughly after fertilization.
DISEASE, WEED and INSECT CONTROL:
Some varieties have good resistance to diseases such as rust and leafspot, and to billbugs. The dense turf produced by zoysiagrass prevents most weeds from appearing.
All information is based on average/normal conditions; individual sites and situations may differ. Therefore, contact your local nurseryman or county Extension Office if more detailed information is needed on specific maintenance questions