Turf Grasses

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Turf Grasses

• How do I know which one to use?

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Objectives

• Be able to name at least three turf grasses
• Describe characteristics of each
• Using a scenario, select species and tell why

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New Terms

• Species
• group of organisms with common characteristics,
  capable of producing fertile offspring

• Cultivar
• variety of plant within a species with different
  characteristics, capable of passing on to
  offspring

• Blend
• two or more cultivars of the same species

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• Mixture
• two or more species together

• Warm season
• grows best when temps are 80-95 degrees F

• Cool season
• grows best when temps are 60-75 degrees F

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Buffalo Grass

• Warm season
• Native to the plains
• Requires little maintenance
• Drought resistance
• Needs open sun
• Needs well drained soil
• Does poorly in sand

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Kentucky Bluegrass

• Cool season
• Most widely used turfgrass
• Needs open sun, can stand some partial shade
• Medium to high maintenance
• Fair wear resistance, but good recovery
• Good drought tolerance

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Tall Fescue

• Cool season
• Low maintenance
• Tolerates low fertility
• Fair to good in shade
• Good wear resistance, but slow recovery
• Course textured

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Perennial Ryegrass

• Cool season
• Fast germination
• Susceptible to winter kill
• Medium to high maintenance
• Wear tolerance is good
• Tolerates compacted soils
• Tolerates close mowing

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Fine-Leaf Fescue

• Cool season
• Excellent shade tolerance
• Drought tolerant
• Low maintenance
• Likes well drained sandy soil
• Mainly used in mixtures

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Rough Bluegrass

• Cool season
• Long lived
• Does well in poorly drained soil
• High shade tolerance
• Low heat tolerance
• Mainly used in mixtures

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Smooth Bromegrass

• Cool season
• Low maintenance
• Used for roadsides, slopes, etc.
• Long lived
• Drought and heat resistant
• Does not tolerate close mowing or heavy traffic

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Fairway Wheatgrass

• Cool season
• Excellent drought resistance
• Not very heat tolerant
• Used for low maintenance turf areas
• Prefers well drained sandy loam to clay soil
• Fairly rapid establishment

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So Now What?

• Temperature zone
• Soil type
• Use
• Desired effect

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Equals
Turfgrass which fits your lifestyle, adds beauty
and value, and is adapted to the environment.