Lawns Sam Angima OSU Extension Agent Newport Oregon
Organic Lawn?
For an Engine to run Gas Electricity Piston System For a lawn to grow Grass Nutrients & Sun Soil system
Grass Growth Limiting factors in spring and fall Temperature Light Low temps reduce physiological activities of plants Reduced root growth Reduced tiller/shoot development
Breaking Dormancy and Early Growth Tillers emerge from buds in crown Tiller growth uses most carbohydrates stored last winter Plants begin making new sugars Most new sugars supplement carbohydrates to help growth
Rapid Leaf Growth and Increased Tillering Leaves get longer New tillers grow from buds, tillers branch Many leaves speed up photosynthesis Some new sugars continue to be used in growth Some new sugars stored as carbohydrates
% Carbohydrate Carbohydrate Storage Cycle Bloom 40 T-Sum 200 Mature seed 30 Growth begins 20 2 to 4" tall 10 Stage of growth
Grass Species to Use in Lawns
Grass Species for Lawns Kentucky bluegrass Perennial rye grass Fine fescues Bent grass Tall fescue
Kentucky Bluegrass Stays 3-5 years only Has rhizomes below ground = good for recovery Good East of cascades - only ph 7-8 and full sun Annual bluegrass is a weed
Prolific Seed Producer
Withstands & Loves Compacted Areas
Photo: David Zlesak, Univ of Minnesota.
Shade Use tall fescue varieties Do not use ryegrass if you have heavy traffic at any one time If heavy traffic in shade use groundcovers instead
Fine Fescue Types Creeping Red Chewing Hard Drought resistant Less N requirements (4 lb/1000 ft 2 annually) Shade tolerant Susceptible to Red thread disease Thatch
} Thatch layer Photo: Glenn Hardebeck Purdue university
Fine Fescue More tolerant of droughty, infertile, acidic soils than other cool-season grass Great for shady sites, parks, roadsides Intolerant of wet soils & high N fertility Compatible with other cool-season grass
Chewing Fescue Bunch habit Highest shoot density Take-All resistance E+ enhanced (endophyte fungus gives it drought and disease resistance)
Take all Fungal disease of turfgrasses
Creeping Fescue Rhizomatous growth Longer, fewer & thicker rhizomes Tolerant of patch & crown disease
Hard Fescue Photo: David Zlesak, Univ of Minnesota. Bunch growth like chewing fescue Best disease resistance of Fine Fescues Does not do well under high stress and traffic Mixes well with other wildflower mixes
Red Fescue A hardy & vigorous grower Persistent Good drought and heat tolerance Stands up well under low fertility conditions Good winter hardiness
Summer Dormancy Cool season grasses go dormant over summer Recover in the fall Heavy traffic during this time kills the crown
Perennial Rye Grass Wear tolerant Less thatch High nitrogen requirement (6 lb/1000 ft 2 annually) Weed invasion easy Always ask for turf type rye grass Susceptible to red thread disease Keep it mowed at 1-2 height
Use only colonial type Bentgrass Easily develops scalping Leafy crown pushed up and mowed = brown scalped lawn Worst thatch development Used, but not recommended in our area Bentgrass
Lawn Scalping
Tall Fescue Use only turf type Coarse compared to other turf types For adapted cultivars to our area - see page 269
Establishing Lawns
Initial Rough Grading??
Establishing Lawns Prepare good soil bed 6-12 inch deep Apply any organic amendments Apply lime and nutrients and mix into the soil Best time - fall Culti-pack soil after seeding (or use a drum) Seeding rates PNW 299 ($1.00 OSU) Good Soil Bed Culti-packer
Seeding Rates Seeding rates PNW 299 ($1.00 OSU)
New Lawns - Watering Water 1-2 times/day After germination once/day or once /two days Do not spray for weeds till after 2 months
Mowing Fine fescue 1 ½ - 2 Perennial ryegrass 1-2 Tall fescue 2 Never remove > 1/3 of leaf blade Clippings can be bagged under cool and moist conditions = thatch build-up More leaves = more Photosynthesis
Watering In summer lawns can use up to ¼ inch water/day Water when leaves do not spring back when stepped on Blue green color No dew in the morning Remember: to water infrequently but deeply Early mornings/late evenings Use measuring cups
Use a 3:1:2 ration NPK e.g. 15:5:10 May, June, July, Sept. One lb N each time/1000 ft 2 Irrigate after application Aeration necessary Use hollow tined aerifier (not spikes) Fertilizing
Living & dead grass stems & roots at soil surface More than ¾ inch thatch is bad for lawn Detach annually (if you have thatch) Use power de-thatcher Or spiked rake (lots of work-out) Thatch
Prevent Thatch Moderate and regular fertilization of the turf to maintain vigor without excessive growth. Regular mowing that does not remove more than one-third of the shoot growth in a single mowing. Watering as deeply and as infrequently as possible to encourage a deeper root system. Try to moisten the soil to a 6- inch depth when watering. Wait until the turf just begins to wilt before watering again. In situations where thatch has been a problem, dethatch annually before the new flush of growth begins.
Mowing and Thatch Mowing should be performed often enough that not more than one-third of the shoot growth is removed in a single mowing. This rule of thumb insures that the grass is not stressed by excessive shoot removal and that clippings are short enough to filter to the soil surface where they decay. If excessive shoot growth has occurred, set the mower to re move only one-third of the shoot growth, then delay 1-2 days before mowing the grass down to the desired height.
Broadleaf Weeds
Broadleaf 2,4-D MCPA MCPP DICAMBA TRICLOPYR-Garlon 3 amine (Garlon 4 is ester) CLOPYRALID May or Sept. best time If temp >80 o F do not apply herbicides Read the label Do not apply if winds > 3 mph = drift issues Weed Control
Diseases Fairy ring fungus Grows on decomposing OM and causes hydrophobic patches
Diseases Red thread Caused due to low N fertility Mostly on fescue and perennial ryegrass
European Crane Fly Tipula paludosa Looks like a huge mosquito Does not bite Larva feed on root crowns Adults Aug-Nov emerge from grass Females lay eggs within 24 hrs after mating Eggs hatch quickly into gray brown worms called leather jackets
European Crane Fly Leather jackets feed on root crowns in fall Move down into soil and overwinter In March-April move up to 1-2 inches of soil and start feeding on tender roots Stop feeding in May = pupal stage Emerge as adult in August
European Crane Fly Monitor: In Feb-March Dig 6x6 square patch 4-6 samples (2 inch deep) Multiply average No. x 4 to get No./ft 2 if No. > 25/ft 2 and thin turf, consider treating If lawn is unhealthy treat @ 10-15/ft 2 Healthy lawns can withstand >40/ft 2 Treatment Nitrogen fertilization Invigorates growth PNW Bifenthrin Cyfluthrin Both toxic to bees Mow Lawn first Do not treat after Mid April = too late damage is done
Cultural controls Turn off irrigation after labor day = drought Raccoons, & Seagulls
Lawn Renovation Over-seeding annually Power raking Detaching Total Renovation Kills all turf Till the ground Amend soil Re-seed like new lawn Best if done in fall
Remember. For an Engine to run Gas Electricity Piston System For a good lawn to grow Grass Nutrients Soil system Sun
Thank You!!