Understand Turf Objective Remember North Carolina turf grass

Understand Turf Objective: Remember North Carolina turf grass types.

Turf Grass Regions �The • • US has 6 zones based on: Climate Temperature Available moisture Length of growing season �NC has 3 zones • Mountains & Western Piedmont=Zone 1 • Central & Eastern Piedmont=Zone 2 • Extreme Southeastern Coast=Zone 3

NC Turf Zones 1 2 3

Turf Characteristics Growing Season COOL SEASON GRASSES � � Grows best in spring and fall 65 -75 degrees Stays green in winter Best established in the fall WARM SEASON GRASSES � � Grows best in summer 80 -95 degrees Goes dormant in winter Best established in the spring

Turf Characteristics Leaf Color �Leaf • • color varies Light to dark green Light green Medium to dark green

Turf Characteristics Leaf Texture �Fine- thin needle textured blades �Medium- medium textured blades �Coarse- thick, wide textured blades

Turf Characteristics Growth Habit �Growth habit describes how new shoots are produced �Rhizome- underground stem that grows horizontally �Stolon- above ground stem that grows horizontally �Stolon & rhizome- above & underground stems that grow horizontally �Bunch- blades grow in small cluster or tufts from the soil

Turf Characteristics Wear �Wear- how the grass stands up to foot traffic • • • Excellent Very good Good Fair Poor Very poor

Explore Grasses for Lawns turffiles. ncsu. edu

Planting Turf Grass Objective: Understand principles of turf grass planting.

Site Preparation 1. 2. Remove trash & debris Control weeds with herbicide 1. Spray post-emergence broadleaf herbicide 4 -6 weeks before seeding/sodding 3. Grade avoiding steep slopes, low/poorly drained areas (<15%)

Site Preparation 1. 2. 3. Protect existing trees & bed areas with silt fencing, edged borders or mulch Incorporate a 2 -3% slope away from home or structure Soil preparation 1. 2. 3. 4. Till soil to a depth of 2 -3” Add 4 -5” of top soil Run a soil test Lime & Fertilize based on soil sample results Finish grade Roll area with lawn roller Water Seed or install sod

Establish Lawns �Seeding �Sodding �Plugging �Sprigging

Care for Lawns �Irrigating �Mowing • Mowing height depends on grass type �Fertilizing �Pest control • Weeds • Insects • Diseases

Grass Seed Terminology �Viable: the ability to germinate �Inert ingredient: stems &/or other plant products that is not viable �Weed seed: any seed not defined as a component in “other crop” �Noxious weed: invasive, hard to control weed seed

Turf Brochure Create a tri-fold brochure that will include information about YOUR turf grass company.

Turf Brochure �PANEL 1 • Title panel (name of company, address, contact information) �PANEL 2, 3, 4, 5 • Describe the 4 establishment methods �PANEL 6 • Recommended mowing height for 8 common lawn grasses • Tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, Red fescue, Creeping Bentgrass, Centipede, St. Augustine, Bahia, Bermuda, Zoysia