1. Gardener’s Toolbox Series 2011 Is Your Grass Greener? Lawn care after the drought

2. Brought to you by: Amy Aldenderfer County Extension Agent for Horticulture

3. Overview Key to a good lawn General Maintenance Getting Started Grass Selection

4. Key to a Great Lawn Uniformity!

5. Turf Care Calendar AGR-55 AGR-55 Basic Lawn Care Requirements Good reference to other publications

6. To renovate or not? < 50% Dead Excessive Thatch Weeds cover 20-40% RENOVATE! Compacted soil > 50% Weeds or Bare soil Serious thatch problem RE-ESTABLISH!

7. Why did the lawn deteriorate? Do the corrective measures Change management practices

8. Do-it-yourself or professional? You can do some of it yourself. May rent equipment

9. When? “A poorly done fall (turf) seeding is still better than a well-done spring seeding.” Bill Pound (Buckeye Yard and Garden Line) Best time: Mid-August through late September Second best time: Mid-February through March

10. Determine grass type: Bluegrass Tall fescue Fine fescues Bermudagrass Zoysiagrass

11. Select the Right Grass Kentucky Bluegrass well-drained soils, full sunlt. Shade fine texture, spreads poor traffic, shade, low mowing height tolerance; severe grub susceptibility, thatch build-up, poor seedling vigor, 2 lbs./1000sq.ft.

12. Select the Right Grass Tall fescue full sun med. Shade; heavy claysandy soil good traffic tolerance no serious insects, thatch, irrigation, More frequent mowings, brown patch 6 lb./1000 sq. ft.

13. Select the Right Grass Fine Fescues some shade tolerant of: low fertility, drought, acid soils very fine texture poor traffic tolerance, clumps, grub damage, no heavy fertilization 2 lb./1000 sq. ft.

14. Select the Right Grass Bermudagrass all varieties of questionable hardiness excellent sod resiliency, spreading habit, heat/drought resistant, traffic tolerant, no mowing Oct. - April dormancy period, invasive, vegetative propagation, thatch, no shade tolerance May/June planting

15. Select the Right Grass Zoysiagrass hardy throughout Kentucky no serious heat, drought, cold problems excellent sod resiliency, spreading habit, heat/drought resistant, traffic tolerant, no mowing Oct. - April SLOW to establish!

16. Provides a nutrient analysis easy to take FREE! Takes 7-10 working days for results Take A Soil Test

17. Soil Test #1 When the Results Return What information do you need?

18. Steps to Renovation Control existing vegetation Scalp Prepare surface Add fertilizer Apply seed Lightly rake Water

19. Eliminate the Competition Use non-selective herbicide wait 7-10 days Mow turf close Selective herbicide broadleaf weeds wait 1 month

20. Seed Bed Preparation Seed to Soil Contact Power raking De-thatcher Verticutter Hand rake

21. Clean Seed Bed Rake off loose thatch Add fertilizer (if necessary) at rate no Nitrogen

22. Apply Seed In 2 - 4 directions by hand rotary spreader drop seeder slit seeder (professional only) Rake in lightly

23. Post-Renovation Water Fertilization Mowing Weed Control

24. Lawn Maintenance Regular Mowing – Use sharp mower and cut at 3 inches. Recycle your clippings by leaving them on the lawn. Never cut more than 1/3 of the blade of grass at a time.

25. Lawn Maintenance Irrigate – In absence of adequate rainfall, give your lawn 1 inch of water per week, 1/2 inch twice a week is best. Water deeply, light watering creates shallow roots.

26. Lawn Maintenance Fertilize – Take a soil test FIRST. Use 4-1-2 ratio fertilizer for good lawn maintenance. Fertilize in September, October and November.

27. Lawn Maintenance Control weeds, insects, and disease as needed. Remember if you don't have a problem, don't try to fix it. Spot treat as needed.

28. Lawn Maintenance Core aerate and control thatch. Do this in the fall to establish a good seed bed. De-thatch only if thatch exceeds 1/2 inch thickness.

29. Autumn Tasks Aug-Oct 1 Seed or renovate Sept 1-Nov Weed control Sept-Dec Fertilize Anytime Lime Store and service mower

30. Good Luck!