Student Learning Objectives

2. Student Learning Objectives 1. Explain site preparation for establishing turfgrass. 2. Describe how turfgrass is established by seeding. 3. Describe how turfgrass is established vegetatively. 4. Explain how turf can be renovated.

3. Grading Plug Plugging Renovation Seed blend Seed mixture Seed quality Seedbed Seeding Sod Sodding Sprig Sprigging Stolonizing Winter over-seeding Terms

4. How should the site be prepared for establishing turfgrass? • Site preparation involves a number of steps to ensure a good base for turfgrass growth. The term used for a site prepared for starting a new turf is seedbed.

5. Site Preparation Kill existing weeds Grading Soil Test Select turf grass Calculate amount of grass seed and materials. Adjust pH if need 2. Application Final tillage – fine Apply fertilizer Lime if needed Sow, Sprigg, Plug, or apply sod Cover – lightly better Irrigate if needed How should the site be prepared for establishing turfgrass?

6. How is turfgrass established by seeding? • Seedinginvolves the use of grass seed to establish the turf. Seeding is a common practice for cool-season turfgrass lawns. Advantages to seeding include using desired species or cultivars, having the plants develop in the environment in which they will be growing, having plants develop deep root systems, and costing less as compared to other methods of turfgrass establishment.

7. How is turfgrass established by seeding? • Choosing the seeds to be planted is important. Seeds can be blended or mixed. A blend or mixture gives a lawn genetic diversity. • A Turfgrass seed blendconsists of more than two varieties or cultivars of seeds within the same species. Most blends contain cultivars chosen for their uniform appearance and growing habit.

8. How is turfgrass established by seeding? • A Turfgrass seed mixtureconsists of more than two different species of seeds such as Tall Fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass. • It is a combination of different grass species. • Lawns should be installed at a time of year when the weather is optimal for Turfgrass Growth.

9. How is turfgrass established by seeding? • Seed qualityrefers to the germination rate (based on 100 seeds) and the purity of the seeds. High quality seed is fresh, has a high germination rate, and a low level of weed seeds. • Apply the seed at the recommended rate.

10. How is turfgrass established by seeding? • Light mulching of the seedbed reduces drying out of the tender seedlings. Use straw, free of seeds or paper mulch, scattered lightly over the surface. • Mulching also reduces seed from blowing or getting washed away by rain.

11. How is Turfgrass established vegetatively? • Vegetative materials are used to establish both warm-season and cool-season Turfgrass lawns. However, it is a more common practice with warm-season grasses.

12. How is Turfgrass established vegetatively? • The most common method involves sodding, the use of harvested pieces of turf, sod, cut from mature turf. The sod is available in rolls, squares, or strips depending on the region of the country. Sodding provides instant coverage.

13. How is Turfgrass established vegetatively? • Pluggingis a method of establishing a new turf using plugs, 2 to 4 inch square or round clumps of turf, harvested from a mature turf. Although plugging is more labor intensive than sodding, it is less expensive.

14. How is Turfgrass established vegetatively? • A third method is sprigging. Sprigginginvolves the use of pieces of stolons or sprigs cut from mature turf. Sprigs are usually planted in furrows. • Stolonizingis when stolons are broadcasted over a site, covered with a topdressing,and rolled.

15. How is turf renovated? • Sometimes a lawn declines in appearance and needs to be replaced or renovated. Renovationis a practice used to improve poor turf. • Renovation of a lawn is similar to planting a new lawn, but it is done without destroying the existing lawn. It requires less material when compared to a new lawn establishment.