Maintaining A Lawn Master Gardener Training Class October 18, 2005 Chris Ramsey UT Extension Sulliva

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Maintaining A LawnMaster Gardener Training
ClassOctober 18, 2005Chris RamseyUT Extension
Sullivan County
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Photosynthesis
6 molecules of water 6 molecules of carbon
dioxide sunlight ? 1 molecule of sugar 6
molecules of oxygen
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Keys to Successful Turf

• Soil test proper fertility and pH
• Proper mowing height
• Chemical weed control when needed
• Winter broad leaves and perenials November
  March (post application)
• Summer grasses Early March and May
• (pre application)
• Pest control when needed
• Overseed in late summer/early fall when needed

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Plant growth rate at various stages of growth
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Relative nutrient availability at varying pH
values
4.0 4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0
6.5 7.0 7.5 8.0
8.5 9.0 9.5 10.0
extreme strong slight
acidity acidity acidity slight
alkalinity strong alkalinity
nitrogen
phosphorus
potassium
sulfur
calcium
magnesium
iron
manganese
boron
copper and zinc
molybdenum
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Sampling Depth 6 inches
Sampling Locations Random, 2 to 3 / 1,000 Sq.
Ft.
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PhosphorusImproves Root Growth
PotassiumCell strength, water movement, low-
temperature hardiness and disease resistance
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Lesco
Fertilizer Analysis N-P2O5-K2O
Lesco
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Water-soluble Nitrogen Source
Urea 46-0-0
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Coated, Extended-Release Fertilizers

Pursell Technologies
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Relative Growth by Month
Tall Fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass
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Relative Growth by Month
Bermudagrass and Zoysia
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Fertilizer Spreaders
Craftsman
Craftsman
Drop
Rotary
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Water in the Morning
500 am to 1000 am
Water-Use Rates 1/10 to 3/10 inch / day
RainBird
Toro
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A Thatch Layer of More Than ½ inch is Excessive
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Removing Thatch
BlueBird
BlueBird
BlueBird
Mantis
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Dethatching
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• Turfgrass Soils
• No Compaction

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• Turfgrass Soils
• Severe Compaction

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Ryan

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Turfgrasses in Shade
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Mowing

• Sharpen blades before each mowing season
• Never remove more than 1/3 of the leaf blade

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Mowing Height

• Fine fescues 1 ½ - 2 ½ inches
• Kentucky Bluegrass 1 ½ - 2 ½ inches
• Tall Fescue 2 3 inches
• Perennial Ryegrass 1 2 inches
• Common Bermudagrass ¾ - 1 ½ inches
• Hybrid Bermudagrass ½ - 1 ½ inches
• Centipedegrass 1 - 1 ½ inches
• Zoysia ½ - 1 ½ inches

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