What element should you use if you would like to lower the pH in your soil?

Answer: Sulfur

Max 2-4 lbs per 1,000 sq. ft. per ap Max 10 lbs per 1,000 sq. ft. in a year Approx 12 lbs per 1,000 sq. ft. to lower 0.5

points (9 lbs in sandy soils) Apply right after aeration in cool weather and

higher cut turf Always defer to the lab

Which element should you use if you would like to raise the pH in your soil?

Answer: Lime

Max 50 lbs per 1,000 sq. ft. per ap Max 100 lbs per 1,000 sq. ft. per year Approx 50 lbs per 1,000 sq. ft. to lower 0.5

points (25 lbs in sandy soils) Apply right after aeration in cool weather and

higher cut turf Always defer to the lab

For our area, what range of pH is considered acceptable?

A) 4.5-6.0

B) 6.0-7.5

C) 7.5-9.0

Answer:

B) 6.0-7.5

Put these grasses in order of shade tolerance: Kentucky Bluegrass Perennial Ryegrass Tall Fescue Fine Fescues

Answer:

1) Fine Fescues 2) Tall Fescues 3) Perennial Ryegrass 4) Kentucky Bluegrass

Name the 4 types of Fine Fescues

Answer:

Red Fescue (Strong & Slender) Chewings Fescue Sheep Fescue Hard Fescue

Advantages of Fine Fescues

Excellent Drought Tolerance Low Fertility Requirements Excellent Shade Tolerance Low Growing –4”-6”

Disadvantages of Fine Fescues

Poor wear tolerance Certain types may go dormant in summer

when heat is highest (chewings & creeping red fescue)

Which species of grass is this?

Answer: Tall Fescue Moderately wear tolerant Good shade tolerance Excellent drought tolerance Improved disease tolerance Resistance to certain insects if endophyte-

enhanced

Which species of grass is this?

Answer: Tall FescueDisadvantages Questionable cold tolerance Not as fine-bladed as other turf grasses More frequent mowing A bunch-type grass Does not mix so well with other grasses—

seed by itself or with 10-20% kentucky bluegrass

I am a perennial, bunch-type grass that exhibits good green color. My latin name is lolium perenne. What am I?

Answer: Perennial Ryegrass

Establishes quickly Good color Blends well with bluegrass and fine fescues Bunch-type growth Should be endophyte-enhanced

When is the best time to aerate a lawn?

A) Late March B) End of May/early June C) Late September/early October

Answer:

B) End of May/early June

Ohio St. did a study on wear tolerance. Which of these combinations performed the best?

A) Kentucky Bluegrass/Perennial Ryegrass Mix

B) 100% Kentucky Bluegrass (Improved) C) 100% Tall Fescue (rhizomatous) Kentucky

D) Bluegrass/Tall Fescue Mix

Answer:

B) 100% Kentucky Bluegrass (Improved) A) Kentucky Bluegrass/Perennial Ryegrass

Mix D) Kentucky Bluegrass/Tall Fescue Mix C) 100% Tall Fescue (rhizomatous)

--A & D were roughly a tie

True or False:

Coatings on grass seed have been shown to consistently increase seed germination and should be integrated into your overseeding program?

Answer: False

“I’d like to charge you more money for a gimmick”.

Fertilizer Coating = Not Enough Water absorbing polymer = Little Effect Exceptions: Apron or Maxim Coatings

As a general rule of thumb, after grass seed germinates, how long should you wait before it is safe to apply an herbicide?

A) When the grass is at least one inch tall.

B) Once the grass has been mowed 2 times

C) 6 months from the time you seeded

Answer:

B) Once the grass has been mowed 2 times Always defer to the label and manufacturer’s

recommendations

What is the proper planting depth for turf seed?

A) Sitting on top of the Soil B) 1/16” – 1/8” C) ¼” – ½” D) ¾”

Answer:

B) 1/16” – 1/8” inch

Too shallow = nowhere for roots to go

Too deep = Tired Seed

True or False:

There is no such thing as putting down too much seed?

Answer: False

Too much seed = carpet effect

In a word, what is the #1 reason why seed sometimes fails?

Answer: Watering!!

Too much = dormancy/washing out Too little = wilting & death

Poa Supina is: A) A last resort species of grass for shady

areas B) An annual weed C) A term I made up D) Another name for Poa Trivialis

Answer:

A) A last resort species of grass for shady areas

Slow to germinate, but very aggressive when established

Extremely wear tolerant Quick spring green-up Lighter green color Very expensive—5-10% is enough in mix

According to a New York trial, which element, when applied annually at 2-4 lbs per 1,000 sq. ft., increased water-use efficiency by 19-45%?

Answer: Potassium

Makes turf tougher—increasing wear tolerance

Has been shown to diminish disease before when applied before an outbreak

I spread via rhizomes and am well equipped to handle our harsh winters. I mix well with others (grasses) but I am slow to germinate and can be expensive (but I’m worth it). Which grass am I?

Answer: Kentucky Bluegrass Very wear tolerant and excellent recuperative

ability Slow to germinate (14-28 days) New varieties = dark green color Likes to be fertilized—higher maintenance Relatively good drought tolerance Mixes well with other grasses New varieties exhibit good resistance

I am a parasite that helps protect some types of grasses from certain insects. What am I called?

Answer: An Endophyte

Perennial Ryegrass/Tall Fescue and a limited # of fine fesuces

Makes plant tougher naturally Defends against sod webworm, billbug, fall

armyworms, stem weevils, and chinch bugs Non-toxic to dogs or other pets

A few last helpful tips:

Irrigate in the early morning Mow in the morning Keep mowing heights high (2.5” or so) Irrigate before and after applying insecticide Try using Iron in place of an application Only use slow release fertilizers in all areas,

but particularly in shady areas.