Some Best Management Practices for Turf

Brookside Community 7 September 2013, Warrenton, VA

Meadowlark Gardens – Vienna, VA – June 2013

BMPs for Turf

• Mow• Water• Fertilize• Over seed • Thoughts on soil health

Winter Earlyspring

Spring Summer Early fall Fall Winter

Shoot Growth Root Growth Carbohydrates

High

Med.

Low

Figure 1. Seasonal Growth Patterns ofCool-Season Turfgrasses

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Window 1Window 2

Mowing• Most frequent management activity • About once per week, more when growing faster, less when

dormant or growing slower• Remove no more than 1/3 of leaf surface

Minimum recommended mowing heights for turf grasses

Kentucky bluegrass 1 1/2” to 2 1/2” Tall fescue 2” to 3” Creeping red fescue 2” to 3” Perennial ryegrass 1 1/2” to 2 1/2” Bermudagrass ½” to 1” Zoysiagrass ¾” to 1”

• Can I mow higher than this? Yes

Mowing low

• Reduces tolerance for drought• Increases weed pressure• Makes turf more susceptible to stress• Reduces turf roots

• On another note… return your clippings, they provide nutrients in the turf.

Watering

• Cool season turf goes dormant in July and August

• Add water consistently (or not at all) 1 inch/wk in two to three applications.• Water in very early morning • Turn off automatic systems when it rains.

Fertilization • Fertilizer is one of the biggest

contaminants in the Chesapeake bay.

• Manage it properly• If fertilizer is a contaminant of

water, then I should not fertilize my turf?

• This is actually found to not be true. Research at the University of Minnesota showed minimal fertilization to be the best for the environment.

• Pet waste is a significant source of nutrients in out waterways.

How to fertilize then?

• When grass is actively growing, fall is the best.

• Not before a large rain event

• No more than 1 lb of N / 1000 ft2 at a time

• Use a slow release fertilizer. • Avoid fertilizing next to a

pond or stream. (10 ft buffer)

• Lawn and not sidewalk.

Nitrogen Application by Month Quality May 15- Desired Sept. Oct. Nov. June 15 --------Lbs N/1000 sq ft-------- Low 0 1 0 0-0.5 Med. 1 1 0 0-0.5 High 1 1 1 0-0.5

You only recommended Nitrogen

• Why?• Because Nitrogen is

mobile in the soil and often the most limiting nutrient to growth.

• 24 – 6 – 12• N – P – K

• What about other nutrients?

• P -Phosphorus – going to be hard to find in fertilizers in VA

• K – Potassium – apply according to soil test.

• Other nutrients usually not needed.

Changes to VA laws

• Maintenance fertilizer will not contain phosphorus - 2014

• Can only apply phosphorus on established turf if a soil test shows phosphorus is deficient

• Folks that apply fertilizer for hire must be certified by VDACS – 1 July 2013.

Compost, an alternative fertilizer

• Help clay soils drain• Help sandy soils retain

water• Add nutrients for turf• Reduce soil compaction• PSU research indicates ¼

inch depth 1-2 x/yr to established turfs is a GREAT treatment

• Consider sources, quality, ability to spread etc.

Overseeding

• Why? Because we grow fescue and it is a bunch grass. This fixes the holes in the turf.

• When? First two weeks of September.

• What kind of seed? Fescue mix, you get what you pay for.

Soil Test• Always a good time to take a soil test.

• Soil test will tell you how much lime, phosphorus and potassium you need to add.

• VT recommends testing soil every 3 years.

• Can add lime anytime of year as long as the ground is not frozen.

• Soil Probe

Why lime?

• Soils in VA naturally acidic.

• Turf prefers to grow between 6.3 and 6.8 pH.

• Lime raises the pH of the soil.

But, how much lime?

Improving soil health

• Soil Compaction– Issue on new

construction– Over time soil roots will

reduce compaction– Dogs, people, cars and

equipment add to compaction over time.

A few other thoughts on turf…

• Clover is not a weed.

• Moss is a great alternative to grass in the shade.

• Another talk on turf diseases and insect pests.

• Consider planting zoysia as a turf grass.

The Sales Pitch….. $20

• “Green” Grass • Volunteers pull a representative soil sample

• Can ask trained volunteers questions

• Volunteers measure your turf area.

• Receive a plan that says when and how much fertilizer to add.

• Also tells you how much lime you need.

Questions?

Tim OhlwilerVCE – Fauquier

540.341.7950 ext 3tohlwile@vt.edu

Virginia Native Flower Demonstration Garden at the extension office.

VCE - Fauquier24 Pelham St. Warrenton, VA