ommended. Ordinary mercury and These are unsightly, and interfere with high-pressure sodium lamps are satis- growth. Syringing with water factory, but require special installation. sometimes is sufficient. But you may A lighting engineer can help you with have to resort to soapy water, heated your garden lighting plans. to a little above air temperature. Other than selecting annuals that are Use only a very mild soap (not a resistant to air pollution damage, there laundry powder or liquids). Apply the is little that can be done to protect solution to the foliage with a laundry them from this menace. It does pay, sprinkler, avoiding excessive runoff or however, to reduce the amount of nitro- drip. In 5 or 10 minutes, flush off the gen fertilizer applied and the frequency grime with a fine nozzle on the hose. of watering. High soil moisture and Many a gardener becomes discour- nitrogen levels cause soft, succulent aged when summer heat, wind, drought, growth which is particularly suscepti- pollution, and other hazards take their ble to air pollutants. Moderate applica- toll. But growing annuals can be fun. tions will retard growth and make the Avoid overextending yourself—^plant better able to survive. what you can take care of properly. Although no practical antipollutant Above all, don't be a "scratch and chemical treatments are available, anti- plant" gardener. transpirant sprays may be of some Good gardening practices improve benefit. These are latex, wax, or plastic your chances of success, and help you waterproofing materials that are sprayed reap the rewards and satisfactions of on the foliage and stems in spring beautifying the environment—at least and summer when growth is rapid. your little corner of the world—with Antitranspirant products are sold by flowering annuals. garden supply dealers. Apply according to directions on the container. For further reading: Dust, soot, fly ash, and other solid U.S. Department of Agriculture, Grow- residues—another form of pollution— ing Flowering Annuals. Home and Garden also settle on plants in the garden. Bulletin 91, Wash., D.C. 20250, 1970.

selecting grasses, from bahia to

GRASSES constitute one of the most ap- large part on climatic conditions. Cool- pealing parts of our outdoor environ- season grasses grow best in the North ment. They provide recreational and and warm-season grasses in the South. beautification areas for children and The growth cycle of grasses varies grownups in the form of , athletic with temperature. fields, golf links, parks, and roadsides. Seedbed preparations are similar for Most people may fail to realize that establishing nearly all grasses. First you grasses are important in pollution con- should plow, disk, or rototill to loosen trol. They prevent wind and water the subsoil. erosion and they supply vital organic Lime is generally required for soils matter to the soil. They also absorb east of the Mississippi River. Apply 50 carbon dioxide and enrich the atmos- to 80 pounds of ground limestone per phere with oxygen through plant photo- 1,000 square feet every 5 to 6 years. synthesis. When there is uncertainty about the Selection of turfgrasses depends in need for lime, the soil should be tested.

Ill RELATION OF TEMPERATURE TO GROWTH RATE IN COOL AND WARM SEASON GRASSES

■M«

*ft ^'1 * M

1\ \ m 110° 120" TEMPERATURE If lime is needed, it should be incor- evenly over the seedbed with a spreader porated into the soil, along with 30 to or by hand. If the seed is applied by 40 pounds of phosphorus 0-20-0 per hand, mix it with sand or soil to pro- 1,000 square feet. On established vide bulk. Half of the seed should be lawns, apply lime on the surface. sown in one direction and the other Before planting seed, sprigs, or sod half at a right angle to the first seeding. pieces, apply a complete fertilizer con- Lightly rake the seed into the soil to a taining nitrogen, phosphorus, and pot- depth of a quarter of an inch. ash. The analyses on the bag are always Scatter weed-free straw, hay, pine listed in the order mentioned. For needles, or other mulch material over example, a 10-6-4 fertilizer contains the seeded area. Mulch reduces erosion 10 percent nitrogen, 6 percent phos- and provides shade and favorable phorus, and 4 percent potash. moisture conditions for the emerging Apply 10 pounds of a fertilizer con- seedlings. One 60- to 80-pound bale of taining 10 percent nitrogen per 1,000 mulch is about enough per 1,000 square feet and rake into the soil. square feet. About half of the soil Apply with a 20-10-10 fertilizer, 5 should be visible after the mulch is pounds per 1,000 square feet. laid. Water the area lightly two or three Fertilizer is seldom required on times daily until the seedlings become western soils where blue grama and established. Mulching materials need bufïalograsses are used for turf. not be removed if you use them in Plant the seed adapted to your region moderate amounts and distribute them well. Author FELIX V. JUSKA is a Turf-Re- Most southern grasses such as ber- search Agronomist in the Forage and mudagrass, St. Augustinegrass, and Range Research Branch, Plant Science Re- zoysia are established from sprigs (in- search Division, Agricultural Research Service. dividual plants or runners) or pieces of Coauthor KERMIT W. KREITLOW was sod. The sod or sprigs can be planted Assistant Chief of the Forage and Range at 1-foot intervals. However, the closer Research Branch. He died in 1971. together the sprigs, plugs (round cores

112 of grass and soil), or sod pieces are Late August and September are the planted, the more rapidly your lawn best times for renovating cool-season will become established. lawns, although seeding bare areas in If your lawn has thinned out so only early spring is frequently successful. half of the perennial grasses remain, Southern grasses that spread by you can still restore it without plowing runners (stolons) may be sprigged or and reseeding the entire area. sodded into dead areas without much For cool-season grasses (Kentucky soil preparation. Make a slit in the soil bluegrass, red fescue, bentgrass, etc.) with a spade, insert the sprig, and firm rake dead areas to remove the thatch the soil with your foot. Soil can be and loosen up the soil. The seed must stripped with a spade and sod pieces come in contact with the soil in order laid and firmed into the soil the same to germinate. way as with sprigs. Water the replanted After seeding, raking, and mulch- areas and apply fertilizer over the en- ing, spread fertilizer over the lawn at tire lawn. Continue to mow as usual. recommended rates. Water the newly Cool-season grasses make their best seeded areas two or three times daily. growth in the fall and spring—Ken- Continue to mow the lawn at the rec- tucky bluegrass, red fescue. Colonial ommended height for the species. bentgrass, crested wheatgrass, ryegrass.

CLIMATIC REGIONS, IN WHICH THE FOLLOWING GRASSES ARE SUITABLE FOR LAWNS:

1. Kentucky bluegrass, red fescue, and 4. Noninigated areas: Crested wheat, Colonial bentgrass. Tall fescue, bermuda, buffalo, and blue gramagrasses. Irrigated and zoysiagrasses in the southern part. areas: Kentucky bluegrass and red fescue.

2. Bermuda and zoysiagrasses. Centi- 5. Noninigated areas: Crested wheat- pede, carpet, and St. Augustinegrasses in grass. Irrigated areas: Kentucky bluegrass the southern part; tall fescue and Kentucky and red fescue. bluegrass in some northern areas. 6. Colonial bent, Kentucky bluegrass. 3. St. Augustine, bermuda, zoysia, car- and red fescue. pet, and bahiagrasses. 113 Lawn Grasses: Planting Time, Propagation, Fertilization, and Mowing Height Fertilizer Seed (lbs. of (lbs. per nitrogen Height of Best planting 1,000 Sod 1,000 mowing Grass time sq. ft.) (sq. ft.}' sq. ft.) (in.)

Bahia Spring 2-3 4 2 Bentgrass, Colonial Fall 1-2 4-6 1/2-1 Bermuda (hulled) Spring 1-lVi 5-10 5-10 3^-1 Blue grama " 1-lVi 1-2 Buffalo (treated) " Vi-V/i 25-30 1-2 Carpet " 3-4 8-10 2-3 2-21/2 Centipede " í4-i/i 8-10 2-3 1-11/2 Crested wheat Fall 1-2 0-1 2 Ky. bluegrass " ... . 11/2-2 3-6 11/2-2 Red fescue " ... , 3-4 2-3 11/2-2 Rough bluegrass " ... , 11/2-2 2-4 11/2-2 Ryegrass '' ... , 3-4 3-4 11/2-2 St. Augustine Spring None 8-10 4-5 2-21/2 Tall fescue Fall . . 5-6 3-5 2 Zoysia Spring None 8-10 4-6 3^-11/2 ' Needed to sprig 1,000 sq. ft. ^ Seldom required on most soils.

rough bluegrass, and tall fescue. Warm- tatum), a seeded perennial bunchgrass, season grasses are planted in the spring will thrive in most of the soils of the and make their best growth during the northern Great Plains and intermoun- summer months—bermuda, bahia, blue tain areas (regions 4 and 5). It is rec- grama, buffalo, carpet, St. Augustine, ommended for dry, cool areas where zoysia, and centipede grasses. Cli- irrigation water is not available. matic regions of lawn grass adaptation Crested wheatgrass withstands long, are shown in the map with this chapter. dry periods and heavy wear if not For planting times, propagation, fer- mowed too closely. It grows mostly in tilization, and mowing height, see the the fall and spring and becomes dor- table on this page. mant during hot summer months. Colonial bentgrass {Agrostis tennis) Kentucky bluegrass {Poa pratensis) is a fine-textured grass with a few is a hardy, long-lived, perennial, sod- creeping stems and underground root- forming grass that spreads by under- stocks (). It forms a dense ground rootstocks. It is one of our most turf when heavily seeded and closely widely used lawn grasses. Kentucky mowed. Colonial bentgrass is used for bluegrass is well adapted to regions 1 high-quality lawns in many of the New and 6 and grows in regions 4 and 5 if England States and west of the Cascade irrigated. It is propagated by seed. Mountains in Washington and Oregon Kentucky bluegrass will not grow (regions 1 and 6 on the map that ap- well on poorly drained sites or in acid pears on page 113). soils (below pH 6.0). Soil testing will Colonial bentgrass requires fertile indicate whether your soil is acid or soil and frequent fertilizing. It must be alkaline in terms of pH. A pH of 4 is watered during dry periods and it is very acid and a pH of 7 is neutral. susceptible to a wide variety of diseases. Merion was one of the first improved Two strains of Colonial bentgrass are varieties to be released but others such generally planted for lawns, Astoria and as Fylking, Pennstar, Windsor, Prato, Highland. Sodco, and Park are now marketed. Crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cris- Red fescue (^Festuca rubra) and

114 seed. Much ryegrass lawn seed is a mixture of both annual and perennial ryegrasses. Many commercial lawn seed mix- tures contain too much ryegrass; the ryegrass competes with the slower grow- ing Kentucky bluegrass and red fescue. For a late spring seeding and on slopes, it is advisable to include some ryegrass for green color and to avoid erosion. Perennial ryegrass varieties include Pennfine, NK-100, Pelo, Manhattan, and Norlea. Varieties of annual rye- grass include Astor, Gulf, Magnolia, and Tifton 1. Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) is a tall-growing, perennial bunchgrass that has coarse, dense, basal and a strong fibrous root system. It is vigor- ous, grows well on both wet and dry sites, but does best on heavy soils. Because of their wear-resistant qual- Kentucky 31 íescue lawn on new home site ities, two varieties of tall fescue—Ken- in Tennessee. tucky 31 and Alta—are seeded in lawns, play areas, athletic fields, air- fields, and other areas where a tough Chewings fescue (Festuca rubra var. turf rather than a fine-textured turf is commutata) rate next to Kentucky needed. bluegrass in importance for northern Kentucky 31 tall fescue forms a humid regions. Red fescue will spread tough, durable turf throughout much of slowly from underground rootstocks. the transition zone where neither cool- Chewings fescue is an upright, bunch- season grasses nor warm-season grasses type grass. are especially well adapted. Tall fescue Both fescues are established by seed- is seldom seriously injured by insects or ing, and both are used extensively in diseases. mixtures with Kentucky bluegrass. They When seeded at heavy rates (see grow well in medium-shaded areas and table with this chapter), tall fescue pro- on poor, droughty soils. duces finer leaves, the plants do not Improved varieties of red fescue are clump as readily, and a quite respectable Pennlawn, Illahee, Golfrood, and Ruby. lawn results. Jamestown is the only available im- Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) is a proved strain of Chewings fescue. low-growing perennial that spreads Rough bluegrass (Poa trivialis) is a slowly by short, stout underground shade-tolerant perennial that is useful rootstocks. It grows best in the South for lawns only in the North. It is estab- Central Plains, and is established by lished by seeding. Rough bluegrass pre- seeding. Several varieties are adapted to fers moist sites. It is seriously injured sandy soils from central North Carolina by hot, dry weather. to eastern Texas. This grass is pri- The leaves are similar in texture to marily for pastures and roadsides but Kentucky bluegrass but are shiny. Stems the varieties Paraguay and Pensacola and leaves lie flat and are lighter green are used for lawns. than most Kentucky bluegrasses. Bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) is Italian or annual ryegrass {Lolium adapted to regions 2 and 3, where many multiflorum) and the perennial ryegrass varieties are sold. Each variety gen- {Lolium perenne) are propagated by erally is for a specific use.

115 Common bermudagrass is coarse Varieties of bermudagrass that are textured and propagated from seed. used in high-quality lawns receiving Other varieties are established vegeta- maximum maintenance and on golf tively because the seed is sterile or is course greens, tees, and fairways are nearly so. Tifgreen, Tiflfine, Tifway, Bayshore, and Bermudagrass grows on a wide range Tifdwarf. of soils from heavy clays to deep sands, The bermudagrasses require frequent, provided they are fertile. It grows satis- heavy applications of nitrogen fertilizer factorily on both acid and alkaline soils in water soluble form. Bermudagrasses and has a high tolerance to saline con- also require dethatching once or twice ditions. It persists on relatively infertile a year to remove dead runners, roots, soils yet high nitrogen fertilizing is re- and leaves that accumulate. quired for good-quality turf. While Blue gramagrass {Bouteloua gracilis) rated drought tolerant in humid regions, is a low-growing, perennial bunchgrass it cannot grow in arid regions without adapted to parts of the Great Plains. As supplementary irrigation. a turfgrass it is limited to cool, dry Bermudagrasses are not shade toler- sites where there is little or no irriga- ant; however, there are slight differ- tion available. ences among varieties. This grass is highly drought resistant Bermudagrass will grow vigorously, and is established from seed. It becomes spreading by runners and underground semidormant and turns brown during rootstocks. It often becomes a pest in excessively dry periods. flowerbeds and other cultivated areas. Buffalograss {Buchloe dactyloides) is Once established, it is hard to eradicate. a fine-leaved, warm-season, sodforming This grass turns brown following the perennial that spreads by runners. It first frost and does not become green grows on the Great Plains from western again until warm weather occurs in the Minnesota to central Montana, south to spring. But even with its shortcomings, northwestern Iowa, Texas, and Arizona. bermudagrass is one of our most widely It is drought resistant, tolerant of alka- used turfgrasses. line soils, and adapted to clay soils.

USDA agronomist discusses turigrass research at a Beltsville, Md., field day.

116 Buffalograss can be established from This grass can withstand salt water sod pieces or by seeding. spray. It grows best in soils of high Carpetgrass {Axonopus affinis) is a fertility. rapid spreading, perennial grass. It St. Augustinegrass is very susceptible spreads by runners and produces a to chinch bug injury and to brown dense, compact turf when mowed, but patch disease. Varieties available for is coarse textured. It can be established lawns are Bitter Blue and Floratine. by seed or sodding. Carpetgrass is most Three species of zoysiagrass are rec- abundant in lowland areas from coastal ognized and used for turf. These are North Carolina to Florida and west- Zoysia japónica, Z. matrella, and Z. ward to Texas. It grows best in moist, tenuifolia. They are distinguished pri- sandy loam soils or those which have marily on the basis of size, vigor, and a relatively high content of moisture winter hardiness. throughout the year. It sometimes in- Common zoysia, Zoysia japónica, vades infertile, upland sites but does also known as Japanese lawngrass, can not grow well in dry soils or in regions be propagated vegetatively or from which remain dry during part of the seed. It is rather coarse leaved and is growing season. used to some extent for lawns. Carpetgrass produces tall seedheads Meyer zoysia, a selection from com- that are difficult to mow and make the mon zoysia, is intermediate in lawn look ragged. Mowing frequently width between common and Zoysia with a rotary mower is recommended. matrella. It is well adapted to the mid- No improved varieties are available. Atlantic area. Meyer zoysia is more Centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiu- desirable for home lawns because of roides) will spread rapidly from short, its finer textured leaves. It must be creeping runners that form plants at propagated vegetatively by sprigs, sod each node or joint. It forms a dense, pieces, or plugs. weedfree turf. Centipedegrass is usually Although Meyer zoysia survives in planted vegetatively, but some seed is soils of low fertility, it makes best available. growth when given liberal applications This is considered the best low- of complete fertilizers high in nitrogen. maintenance grass for the South. It has Meyer zoysia is relatively drought survived winter conditions as far North tolerant in humid regions. This grass as northern Alabama and central areas is highly resistant to wear and with- of North Carolina. stands close clipping. Centipedegrass requires less mowing, Emerald zoysia is a hybrid variety less watering, and less fertilizing than superior to Meyer zoysia in the South. other southern grasses. Applications of The grass is fine leaved, dense growing, iron compounds correct yellowing. and dark green. Centipedegrass should not be planted Manilagrass {Zoysia matrella) has on farm lawns—it may escape and con- about the same leaf texture as emerald taminate cropland. Common centipede- but is a lighter green. Manilagrass is grass is most extensively planted. adapted to the South. It produces a Oklawn is a variety selected for dense carpetlike turf that resists weeds tolerance to drought and high tempera- and wears well. Manilagrass is sensitive tures; it grows in shade as well as in to highly acid soils. It responds well to full sunlight. liberal applications of nitrogen fertilizer St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum and is established by sprigging or spot secundatum) is the best shade-tolerat- sodding. ing grass for the South. It is a creeping Mascarenegrass {Zoysia tenuifolia) perennial and spreads by long runners is a stoloniferous grass that is the least that produce short, leafy branches. It winter hardy of the zoysiagrasses. It is restricted to the Gulf Coast States is adapted to a very few locations in and milder parts of California. It is Florida and California. It ultimately established vegetatively. becomes sod bound and humps up.

117 All zoysiagrasses turn offcolor during fected by fungus diseases. Too much cool weather and become brown with nitrogen causes shallow rooting. the first killing frost. Zoysias do not Do not water established lawns fre- become green until the warm weather quently and lightly. When the lawn in spring. shows need for water (slight wilting and Points to remember: A lawn is not footprinting), water the soil deeply to difficult to establish and maintain if a at least 6 inches, and do not water few cardinal principles are followed. again until the symptoms reappear. Preparing a good seedbed is a start to- Mow at the recommended height for ward obtaining a good lawn. Select and the dominant species in the lawn. Mow- plant lawn seed or lawn mixtures ing frequencies will vary with the grass adapted to your region and location. species in the lawn. The bermudagrasses Fertilize your lawn according to the and bentgrasses require more frequent needs of the lawn grass species or mix- mowing than do most upright-growing ture in your lawn. Do not o ver stimu- grasses. late the lawn with nitrogen fertilizer. Where shade is a problem, use grass Succulent grass requires more frequent species that are more shade tolerant, mowing, and may be more readily in- and remove lower branches of trees.

protecting lawn grasses against pests, wear

LAWN GRASSES, like people and pets, slime molds, are not true disease or- respond to the attention or abuse they ganisms. They do not attack lawn receive. Unlike man and animals they grasses directly but are discussed with can't complain when a disease attacks disease organisms because they com- or an insect bites nor can they depart monly occur in lawns. the scene when the environment be- You can avoid or reduce damage comes unfavorable. The user and the from some fungus-caused diseases by enjoyer of grass must watch for symp- following recommended cultural prac- toms of attacks by pests or signs of tices, growing disease-resistant varieties, abuse in order to speedily correct the or applying fungicides according to the trouble and maintain an esthetically ap- manufacturer's or the turf specialist's pealing carpet of green. instructions. Most diseases of lawn grasses are Helminthosporium leaf spot and foot caused by fungi. They occur as micro- rot gets its name from the Helmintho- scopically small filaments (called my- sporium fungi that are among the most celia) that are parasitic within or on widely distributed and destructive lawn plant parts. Masses of these cobwebby grass diseases. On Kentucky bluegrass, or cottony fungus filaments are some- one of the species most severely dam- times visible on grass blades. aged, the disease occurs mainly during Many fungi attacking grasses repro- cool, moist weather of spring and fall. duce by means of microscopic fruiting The foot rot stage generally occurs dur- structures called spores. They are most ing warm, dry summer months. noticeable when grasses infected with Infection in lawn grasses is most con- rust or smut fungi are being mowed spicuous on the leaves where reddish- and the spores are released like dust brown spots develop. The leaf spots are into the air. often characterized by lighter-colored Some fungi, such as mushrooms and centers. Diseased leaves usually shrivel

118