Jon Hill Turf is an expert to install and laying turf. Jon Hill Turf explain here about turf selection, establishment, and maintenance.

1. Turf: Selection,Turf: Selection,
Establishment, andEstablishment, and
MaintenanceMaintenance
By:- Jon Hill TurfBy:- Jon Hill Turf

2.  Turfgrasses are among the oldest species usedTurfgrasses are among the oldest species used
by human beings to fashion the outdoors intoby human beings to fashion the outdoors into
residential and recreational areas that suit theirresidential and recreational areas that suit their
needs.needs.
 Today, full-service lawn care corporations areToday, full-service lawn care corporations are
leading profit makers among landscapeleading profit makers among landscape
professionals.professionals.
 The main reason for the ongoing interest inThe main reason for the ongoing interest in
turfgrass and improved turf care is becauseturfgrass and improved turf care is because
nothing has ever surpassed a top-quality lawnnothing has ever surpassed a top-quality lawn
as the ideal outdoor surface.as the ideal outdoor surface.

3.  Residential use is the term used to describe turfResidential use is the term used to describe turf
associated with private homes, estates, andassociated with private homes, estates, and
apartment and condominium complexes.apartment and condominium complexes.
 Commercial use is the term used to describe turfCommercial use is the term used to describe turf
associated with corporate landscapes, shoppingassociated with corporate landscapes, shopping
centers, and office buildings.centers, and office buildings.
 Municipal is the term used to describe turfMunicipal is the term used to describe turf
associated with civic buildings, community centers,associated with civic buildings, community centers,
highway dividers, and airports.highway dividers, and airports.
 Recreational use us the term used to describe turfRecreational use us the term used to describe turf
associated with parks, golf courses, country clubs,associated with parks, golf courses, country clubs,
stadiums, and athletic fields.stadiums, and athletic fields.

4. Can you label these?Can you label these?

5.  Correct selection of turfgrass forCorrect selection of turfgrass for
landscape requires knowledge of:landscape requires knowledge of:
– LandscapesLandscapes
– Geographic regionsGeographic regions
– Soil typesSoil types
– AltitudesAltitudes
– Environmental conditionsEnvironmental conditions

6.  Turfgrasses are monocotyledons,Turfgrasses are monocotyledons,
meaning they have only one seed leaf inmeaning they have only one seed leaf in
the embryo, whose growing point is at thethe embryo, whose growing point is at the
crown near the soil.crown near the soil.
 One of the objectives of good turfgrassOne of the objectives of good turfgrass
management is to encourage growth asmanagement is to encourage growth as
quickly and as uniformly as possible.quickly and as uniformly as possible.

7. Different ways grass produce newDifferent ways grass produce new
shoots:shoots:
1.1. Rhizome-producing (rhizomatous) – the shootsRhizome-producing (rhizomatous) – the shoots
produced beneath the soil’s surface and sendproduced beneath the soil’s surface and send
new plants to the surface.new plants to the surface.
2.2. Stolon-producing (stoloniferous) – the shootsStolon-producing (stoloniferous) – the shoots
produced extend outward from the parent plantproduced extend outward from the parent plant
along the surface of the soil.along the surface of the soil.
3.3. Bunch-type – new lateral shoots termed tillersBunch-type – new lateral shoots termed tillers
are produced from axillary buds within the leafare produced from axillary buds within the leaf
sheath.sheath.

9.  Rhizomatous and stoloniferous grasses tendRhizomatous and stoloniferous grasses tend
to reproduce more quickly and evenly thanto reproduce more quickly and evenly than
bunch-type grasses.bunch-type grasses.
 Leaf texture is mostly a measure of theLeaf texture is mostly a measure of the
width of the leaf blade. The wider the bladewidth of the leaf blade. The wider the blade
the coarser the texture.the coarser the texture.
 Generally, fine textured grasses areGenerally, fine textured grasses are
considered more attractive.considered more attractive.

10.  Density refers to the number of aerial leafDensity refers to the number of aerial leaf
shoots that a single plant or speciesshoots that a single plant or species
produce.produce.
 Seed size varies greatly among grassSeed size varies greatly among grass
species. Fine-textured grasses have smallspecies. Fine-textured grasses have small
seeds; coarse-textured grasses usuallyseeds; coarse-textured grasses usually
have much smaller.have much smaller.

11. Categories of GrassesCategories of Grasses
 Cool-season grasses – favored byCool-season grasses – favored by
daytime temperatures of 60 – 75 degreesdaytime temperatures of 60 – 75 degrees
F.F.
 Warm-season grasses – favored byWarm-season grasses – favored by
daytime temperatures of 80 – 95 degreesdaytime temperatures of 80 – 95 degrees
F.F.

12.  Purity – the percentage, by weight of purePurity – the percentage, by weight of pure
grass seed.grass seed.
 Percent germination – the percentage ofPercent germination – the percentage of
the pure seed that was capable ofthe pure seed that was capable of
germination on the date tested.germination on the date tested.
 Crop seed – the percentage by weight ofCrop seed – the percentage by weight of
cash crop seeds in the mixture. These arecash crop seeds in the mixture. These are
undesirable for lawns.undesirable for lawns.

13.  Weeds – the percentage by weight ofWeeds – the percentage by weight of
weed seeds in the mixture.weed seeds in the mixture.
 Noxious weeds – this is usually theNoxious weeds – this is usually the
number of noxious weeds per pound ornumber of noxious weeds per pound or
ounce of weed seeds.ounce of weed seeds.
 Inert material – the percentage, by weight,Inert material – the percentage, by weight,
of material in the package that will notof material in the package that will not
grow.grow.

14.  Grass seed is commonly formulated as either aGrass seed is commonly formulated as either a
mixture or a blend. A mixture combines two ormixture or a blend. A mixture combines two or
more cultivars of a single species. A blendmore cultivars of a single species. A blend
combines two or more different species of grass.combines two or more different species of grass.
 3 factors to consider when deciding installation3 factors to consider when deciding installation
method:method:
– Species of grassSpecies of grass
– The type of siteThe type of site
– Immediacy of the need for usable turfImmediacy of the need for usable turf

15.  Four methods of installing turfgrass:Four methods of installing turfgrass:
– SeedingSeeding
– SoddingSodding
– PluggingPlugging
– Sprigging and stolonizingSprigging and stolonizing

16.  Seeding is the most common and leastSeeding is the most common and least
expensive method of establishing a lawn.expensive method of establishing a lawn.
 A hydroseeder is a spraying device thatA hydroseeder is a spraying device that
applies seed, water, fertilizer, and mulchapplies seed, water, fertilizer, and mulch
simultaneously.simultaneously.
 Sod is established turf which is movedSod is established turf which is moved
from one location to another.from one location to another.

17.  Plugging is the most common method ofPlugging is the most common method of
installing lawns in the southern sections ofinstalling lawns in the southern sections of
the U.S.the U.S.
 A sprig is a piece of grass shoot.A sprig is a piece of grass shoot.
 Stolonizing is a form of sprigging. TheStolonizing is a form of sprigging. The
sprigs are broadcast over the site,sprigs are broadcast over the site,
covered slightly with soil, then rolled orcovered slightly with soil, then rolled or
disked.disked.

18. Six steps to a successful lawnSix steps to a successful lawn
1.1. Plant at the proper time of year.Plant at the proper time of year.
2.2. Provide the proper drainage and grading.Provide the proper drainage and grading.
3.3. Condition the soil properly.Condition the soil properly.
4.4. Apply fresh, vigorous seed, sod, plugs,Apply fresh, vigorous seed, sod, plugs,
or sprigs.or sprigs.
5.5. Provide adequate moisture to promoteProvide adequate moisture to promote
rapid establishment of the lawn.rapid establishment of the lawn.
6.6. Mow the new lawn to its correct height.Mow the new lawn to its correct height.

19.  Grading can alter level land so that isGrading can alter level land so that is
slopes slightly.slopes slightly.
 Proper drainage permits the water toProper drainage permits the water to
move slowly into the soil to the turf’s rootmove slowly into the soil to the turf’s root
system where it can be absorbed, yetsystem where it can be absorbed, yet
pass beyond the root zone before itpass beyond the root zone before it
collects and does harm to the plants.collects and does harm to the plants.
 Drainage is critical to the survival of theDrainage is critical to the survival of the
lawn, no matter what the species.lawn, no matter what the species.

20.  Most turfgrasses grow best in a loam orMost turfgrasses grow best in a loam or
sandy loam soil with a pH that is neutral tosandy loam soil with a pH that is neutral to
slightly acidic. (7.0 to 6.5)slightly acidic. (7.0 to 6.5)
 Proper seeding is applied to the preparedProper seeding is applied to the prepared
soil in a manner that will distribute thesoil in a manner that will distribute the
recommended quantity evenly; otherwise,recommended quantity evenly; otherwise,
a patchy lawn develops.a patchy lawn develops.

21.  Proper installation of sod includes installing sodProper installation of sod includes installing sod
as soon as possible to its cutting. Keep the soilas soon as possible to its cutting. Keep the soil
moist, and do not try and stretch the strips.moist, and do not try and stretch the strips.
 Proper plugging includes setting them into theProper plugging includes setting them into the
conditioned soil at regular intervals (12-18 in.)conditioned soil at regular intervals (12-18 in.)
and in staggered rows to maximize coverage.and in staggered rows to maximize coverage.
 Proper sprig installation requires planting two toProper sprig installation requires planting two to
three inches deep in rows 8 to 12 inches apart.three inches deep in rows 8 to 12 inches apart.
Distribute evenly over the prepared soil andDistribute evenly over the prepared soil and
push down into soil with a stick.push down into soil with a stick.

22.  The soil and developing grasses shouldThe soil and developing grasses should
not be allowed to dry until the new grass isnot be allowed to dry until the new grass is
about two inches tall.about two inches tall.
 The first objective when mowing a lawn forThe first objective when mowing a lawn for
the first time is to encourage horizontalthe first time is to encourage horizontal
branching of the new grass as quickly asbranching of the new grass as quickly as
possible.possible.

23. Two types of spreadersTwo types of spreaders
 Rotary – dispenses the material from a closedRotary – dispenses the material from a closed
hamper onto a rotating plate that then propels ithamper onto a rotating plate that then propels it
outward in a semicircular patter.outward in a semicircular patter.
 Drop spreader – dispenses the material throughDrop spreader – dispenses the material through
holes in the bottom of the hamper as it is pushedholes in the bottom of the hamper as it is pushed
across the lawn.across the lawn.

24.  Windy days are not suitable for calibration.Windy days are not suitable for calibration.
 Patching is warranted where bare spots are atPatching is warranted where bare spots are at
least one foot in diameter.least one foot in diameter.
 Aeration of the lawn is the addition of air to theAeration of the lawn is the addition of air to the
soil.soil.
 Proper aeration cuts into the soil about threeProper aeration cuts into the soil about three
inches deep and either removes plugs of the soilinches deep and either removes plugs of the soil
or slices it into thin furrows. These holes allow foror slices it into thin furrows. These holes allow for
better air flow into the soil.better air flow into the soil.

25.  Vertical mowing is a technique that canVertical mowing is a technique that can
break up the soil plugs left by an aeratorbreak up the soil plugs left by an aerator
or even remove excess thatch ifor even remove excess thatch if
necessary.necessary.
 Lawns should be fertilized just before theyLawns should be fertilized just before they
need the nutrients for their growth.need the nutrients for their growth.
 Cool-season grasses should be fertilizedCool-season grasses should be fertilized
early spring and early fall.early spring and early fall.
 Warm-season grasses should be fertilizedWarm-season grasses should be fertilized
in late spring.in late spring.

26.  To obtain the fullest benefit from fertilizer,To obtain the fullest benefit from fertilizer,
it should be applied in an amount theit should be applied in an amount the
turfgrass can use fully before it reachesturfgrass can use fully before it reaches
beyond the root zone.beyond the root zone.
 Turfgrasses are among the first plants toTurfgrasses are among the first plants to
suffer from lack of water since they havesuffer from lack of water since they have
shallow roots as compared to trees andshallow roots as compared to trees and
shrubs.shrubs.
 The best time of day to water lawns isThe best time of day to water lawns is
early in the morning.early in the morning.

27.  Watering early morning is most efficientWatering early morning is most efficient
because watering late in the day will resultbecause watering late in the day will result
in greater evaporation. Watering in thein greater evaporation. Watering in the
early evening or later can promoteearly evening or later can promote
disease because turf pathogens thrive indisease because turf pathogens thrive in
lawns that remain moist late in thelawns that remain moist late in the
evening.evening.

28. Three types of MowersThree types of Mowers
 Flail – used for utility and stabilizationFlail – used for utility and stabilization
turfgrasses that are only cut a few times a year.turfgrasses that are only cut a few times a year.
 Reel – blades rotate in the same motion as theReel – blades rotate in the same motion as the
wheel.wheel.

29. Cont.’dCont.’d
 Rotary – blades move like a ceiling fan,Rotary – blades move like a ceiling fan,
cutting the grass off as they revolve.cutting the grass off as they revolve.

30.  Not to be confused with patching,Not to be confused with patching,
overseeding is the planting of new seedoverseeding is the planting of new seed
into an established turf area to extend itsinto an established turf area to extend its
time of use.time of use.
 Selectivity is an important characteristic ofSelectivity is an important characteristic of
turf herbicides so that the desirable grassesturf herbicides so that the desirable grasses
are not damaged by the control effort.are not damaged by the control effort.

31.  Weeds are only one of the pests thatWeeds are only one of the pests that
affect turf installations.affect turf installations.
 With turf, as with any crop, the bestWith turf, as with any crop, the best
defense against most pests is thedefense against most pests is the
selection of resistant varieties and theselection of resistant varieties and the
creation of a growth environment thatcreation of a growth environment that
favors the turfgrass more than pest.favors the turfgrass more than pest.

32. Thank youThank you
By:- Jon Hill TurfBy:- Jon Hill Turf