Turf

Question 1

When do you fertilize cool season turf?

Answer 1

February, September, & November

Question 2

When do you fertilize warm season turf?

Answer 2

April, May, June, & July onward (but before the end if August)

Question 3

What height do you mow cool season turf to?

Answer 3

2.5” to 3”

Question 4

What height do you mow warm season turf to?

Answer 4

.5” to 1.5”

Question 5

How many lbs of blue grass seed per 1,000 sf?

Answer 5

1-2 lbs of blue grass seed per 1,000 sf

Question 6

How many lbs of fescue seed per 1,000 sf?

Answer 6

5-6 lbs of fescue grass seed per 1,000 sf

Question 7

How many lbs of rye grass seed per 1,000 sf?

Answer 7

3-8 lbs of rye grass seed per 1,000 sf

Question 8

What are the 2 causes of major turf grass diseases?

Answer 8

Fungi & nematodes

Question 9

What should the soil pH for most turf grasses be?

Answer 9

pH between 6.0-6.5

Question 10

What should the soil pH for centipede be?

Answer 10

pH 5.5

Question 11

Tall Fescue

Answer 11

• tolerates heavy wet soil, drought & heat
• few pest problems, but subject to brown patch
• it is a bunch grass
• doesn’t recover well from injury

Question 12

Kentucky Blue Grass

Answer 12

• western region & northwest piedmont
• likes well drained fertile soil
• not as heat heat/drought tolerant as fescue
• recovers from injury well

Question 13

Fine Fescue

Answer 13

• Tolerates drought & infertile soils
• does not like heat or high traffic
• prefers cooler weather or shade

Question 14

Perennial Rye Grass

Answer 14

• good for quick establishment in western region

- low tolerance for extreme temps, shade, or drought

Question 15

Bermuda Grass

Answer 15

• drought tolerant
• does not like poorly drained soil or shade
• recovers quickly from injury

Question 16

Zoysia Grass

Answer 16

• good drought tolerance
• full sun to light shade
• needs to be dethatched every few years
• requires less mowing

Question 17

Centipede Grass

Answer 17

• grows well in full sun to moderate tree shade
• requires little fertilizer & infrequent mowing
• does not tolerate high traffic, compaction or high soil pH well

Question 18

St Augustine Grass

Answer 18

• sun to shade
• likes well drained soils
• vigorous grower
• must be vegetatively planted

Question 19

When should you plant warm season turf?

Answer 19

• March through August

Question 20

When should you plant cool season turf?

Answer 20

• August through November

Question 21

What is the best way to lime turf?

Answer 21

• if established: aerate & lime

- if new: incorporate lime into root zone area

Question 22

Aerating & Coring

Answer 22

• do when the grass is actively growing

- don’t do if you have applied preemergents; will lessen effectiveness of preemergent

Question 23

How do you control thatch?

Answer 23

• when thatch is exceeds 1/2”
• power rake/verticut and core turf
• when buildup is not excessive, cut grass as close to ground as possible at time of spring greenup then power rake.

Question 24

How do you control summer annual grass weeds?

Answer 24

• apply pre-emergent herbicide early to mid spring

- ie crabgrass, goosegrass, foxtail

Question 25

How do you control winter annual grass weeds?

Answer 25

• apply pre-emergent herbicide in September once soil temp is below 75 degrees
• i.e. annual blue grass, henbit, ryegrass

Question 26

How do you control summer broadleaf weeds?

Answer 26

• apply broadleaf herbicide when lawn is actively growing & not drought stressed.

Question 27

What 3 conditions are needed for a disease to develop?

Answer 27

1. Pathogen
2. Susceptible Host Plant
3. Favorable environmental conditions

Question 28

What are good cultural practices to prevent/minimize disease?

Answer 28

Irrigate Properly:
- limit length of time foliage is wet & don’t oversaturate soil

Fertilize Properly:
- avoid excessive Nitrogen (phythium blight, brown path, & leaf spot)

• keep grass from being Nitrogen deficient (rusts & dollar spot)

Mow Properly:
- do not mow with dull blades; enhance disease

• do not mow wet grass; encourage spread of disease.