Re seeding drought killed lawns

1. Gardeners Toolbox Series
2011
Is Your Grass Greener?
Lawn care after the drought

2. Brought to you by:
Amy Aldenderfer
County Extension Agent
for Horticulture
3. Overview
Key to a good lawn
General Maintenance
Getting Started
Grass Selection
4. Key to a Great Lawn
Uniformity!
5. Turf Care Calendar
AGR-55
AGR-55
Basic Lawn Care Requirements
Good reference to other publications
6. To renovate or not?
< 50% Dead
Excessive Thatch
Weeds cover 20-40%
RENOVATE!
Compacted soil
> 50% Weeds or Bare soil
Serious thatch problem
RE-ESTABLISH!
7. Why did the lawn deteriorate?
Do the corrective measures
Change management practices
8. Do-it-yourself or professional?
You can do some of it yourself.
May rent equipment
9. When?
A poorly done fall (turf) seeding is still better than a well-done spring seeding.
Bill Pound (Buckeye Yard and Garden Line)
Best time:
Mid-August through late September
Second best time:
Mid-February through March
10. Determine grass type:
Bluegrass
Tall fescue
Fine fescues
Bermudagrass
Zoysiagrass
11. Select the Right Grass
Kentucky Bluegrass
well-drained soils, full sunlt. Shade
fine texture, spreads
poor traffic, shade, low mowing height tolerance; severe grub susceptibility, thatch build-up, poor seedling vigor,
2 lbs./1000sq.ft.
Tall fescue
full sun med. Shade; heavy claysandy soil
good traffic tolerance
no serious insects, thatch, irrigation,
More frequent mowings, brown patch
6 lb./1000 sq. ft.
Fine Fescues
some shade
tolerant of: low fertility, drought, acid soils
very fine texture
poor traffic tolerance, clumps, grub damage, no heavy fertilization
2 lb./1000 sq. ft.
Bermudagrass
all varieties of questionable hardiness
excellent sod resiliency, spreading habit, heat/drought resistant, traffic tolerant, no mowing Oct. - April
dormancy period, invasive, vegetative propagation, thatch, no shade tolerance
May/June planting
Zoysiagrass
hardy throughout Kentucky
no serious heat, drought, cold problems
excellent sod resiliency, spreading habit, heat/drought resistant, traffic tolerant, no mowing Oct. - April
SLOW to establish!
16. Provides a nutrient analysis
easy to take
FREE!
Takes 7-10 working days for results
Take A Soil Test
17. Soil Test #1
When the Results Return
What information do you need?
18. Steps to Renovation
Control existing vegetation
Scalp
Prepare surface
Add fertilizer
Apply seed
Lightly rake
Water
19. Eliminate the Competition
Use non-selective herbicide
wait 7-10 days
Mow turf close
Selective herbicide
broadleaf weeds
wait 1 month
20. Seed Bed Preparation
Seed to Soil Contact
Power raking
De-thatcher
Verticutter
Hand rake
21. Clean Seed Bed
Rake off loose thatch
Add fertilizer (if necessary) at rate
no Nitrogen
22. Apply Seed
In 2 - 4 directions
by hand
rotary spreader
drop seeder
slit seeder (professional only)
Rake in lightly
23. Post-Renovation
Water
Fertilization
Mowing
Weed Control
24. Lawn Maintenance
Regular Mowing
Use sharp mower and cut at 3 inches.
Recycle your clippings by leaving them on the lawn.
Never cut more than 1/3 of the blade of grass at a time.
Irrigate
In absence of adequate rainfall, give your lawn 1 inch of water per week, 1/2 inch twice a week is best.
Water deeply, light watering creates shallow roots.
Fertilize
Take a soil test FIRST.
Use 4-1-2 ratio fertilizer for good lawn maintenance.
Fertilize in September, October and November.
Control weeds, insects, and disease as needed.
Remember if you don't have a problem, don't try to fix it.
Spot treat as needed.
Core aerate and control thatch.
Do this in the fall to establish a good seed bed.
De-thatch only if thatch exceeds 1/2 inch thickness.
29. Autumn Tasks
Aug-Oct 1
Seed or renovate
Sept 1-Nov
Weed control
Sept-Dec
Fertilize
Anytime
Lime
Store and service mower
30. Good Luck!

Self Improvement

Re seeding drought killed lawns