History of Lawns in North America •Early lawns resembled meadows consisting of short grasses and wildflowers
Turf Grass Management
•As cylinder mowers were developed, grass lawns could be made much smoother and shorter. ( 1830 ) •British – sweeping lawns. Americans who travelled there came back with high hopes of similar lawns
UConn Master Gardener Program-- 2009 PART I
By 1930’s• But:
-
British climate maritime- cool, wet no grass seed available yet native grasses unsuitable for tidy lawns climate here too extreme hot / cold for European grasses
• 1915- Dept. of Agriculture and USGA working together to find a suitable grass/ mix to get durable, attractive lawns in our climate variations
Bermuda grass from Africa Bluegrass from Europe fescues and bents
Invention of push mowers and garden hoses made suitable lawns possible in America. Still no real demand for green front yard.
1950’s The American Garden Club started the homeowners’ journey down the river and over the falls. - Convinced home owners of their civic duty to maintain beautiful, healthy lawns - Set standards: single type grass no weeds 1 ½” height neatly edged uniformly green
There are few native grasses that do well in New England lawns
The pH of Connecticut forest soils is 4.64.8. Most grasses do best at pH of 6.0- 7.0.
Most of Connecticut was originally forest.
Lawn Mower Development • Where ever the first lawn grasses were used, they were mowed by hand, either with scythes, shears, or sickles • The first mechanical mowers were reel and bed knife types with a cylinder to allow it to be pulled or pushed over the ground • Steam power was used until the 1900s. Steam engines could take hours to produce power enough to run the mower. By WWI, internal combustion engines used • Rotary cutting blades were available in the 1920s, but not used widely until the 1960s, when high power but lightweight gas engines were developed
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BENEFITS OF LAWNS • • • • • • • • • •
Soil erosion control Dust prevention Groundwater retention and rain water capturing Noise reduction Ambient cooling effect- heat dissipation by transpiration Glare reduction Filter of pollutants Aesthetic appeal Safety cushion Mental health impact
no maintenance lawn
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Low Maintenance Lawn © pammcooper 2008
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MODIFIED MOWING © pammcooper 2007
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Turf Grass Identification Make sure the plant is a grass species Sedges: leaves are three-ranked with closed sheath triangular, solid stem ( “ sedges have edges “ ) fruits are three-angled nutlets Rushes: leaves three-ranked, basal or low on stem round, solid stems multi-seeded capsules Grasses: leaves two-ranked, connected to the stem by open sheaths jointed, hollow stems, round or flattened fruits are grain-like seeds © pammcooper 2008
Turfgrass Identification 1. Growth habitbunch- tillers sod- formingrhizomes stolons 2. Physical characteristicsleaf blade, collar, sheath
SEDGE pammcooper 2008
Bunch-type
Rhizomatous
Stoloniferous
Pennstate.edu
rye grasses crabgrasses most fescues
Kentucky Bluegrass some tall fescue quackgrass
bentgrasses Zoysiagrass buffalo grass
GROWTH HABIT BUNCH TYPE-
tillers- lateral shoots arise from the stem and grow upward
Besides the seed head, the collar area of a grass plant is the most useful in grass species i.d.
STOLONS- lateral shoots or stems that grow laterally above the soil RHIZOMES-
Bentgrass stolons
lateral shoots that grow laterally underground
CROWN: Intercalary meristem between blade and stems allows both shoot and root growth from near ground level
The sheath is the lower part of the leaf blade that wraps around the stem.
stolons of bentgrass
VERNATION Arrangement of youngest leaf in the bud- leaves emerge from the bud either folded or rolled
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FOLDED
ROLLED
LIGULE Membranous or hairy appendage on upper surface of grass blade at blade/ leaf junction
AURICLE Ear- like appendages projecting from the collar
Ucdavis.edu www.american-lawns.com Yellow Foxtail
Membranous
Ucdavis.edu
CLAW- LIKE
ABSENT Turfuiuc.edu
LEAF BLADE
COLLAR Zone of yellow- green tissue on backside of leaf where blade and sheath join
TALL FESCUE
ucdavis.edu
TALL FESCUE www.ipm.iastate.edu
www.ppws.vt.edu DR.GENE TAYLOR
University of Georgia
BUNCH HABIT
PROMINENT VEINS ON LEAF
PROMINENT MID- RIB GLOSSY UNDERSIDE PERENNIAL RYE GRASS
• Death of leaf blade- tip to base= rate of new leaf appearance
Two Types of Turf Grasses Cool Season Grasses- Grow best when soil temperatures are between 55- 70 degrees ( Fescues, Rye, Bluegrasses, bentgrasses ) .
• Both leaf blade and sheath function in respiration and photosynthesis • If root system and/ or leaf tissue die, plant can survive if crown remains viable
Warm Season Grasses- grow best when soil temperatures are between 65- 80 degrees ( Zoysia grass, Buffalo grass, St. Augustine grass, Bermuda grass )
Cool season grasses Types of Grasses for Regions
degrees F
biological event
33
root growth stops ( KBG- 32 )
40
shoot growth stops
50- 65
optimum for root growth
60-75
optimum for shoot growth
70 77
maximum for root growth of any consequence root growth stops
90
shoot growth stops
• Cool season grasses should not be fertilized during the summer
• The optimum height of cut will enable the plant to resist weed infestation, fight insect problems, and help retain moisture in the soil
www.extensiion.umn.edu
• Fertilization after October 15 with a nitrogen fertilizer is not recommended in Ct.
To properly manage a lawn you need to know: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Type of grass/ grasses you have Soil type Proper mowing height When/ how much to fertilize Optimum light conditions needed
Bluegrasses - Poa ssp. • Most of the common species used for lawns originated from the forest margins of Eurasia • They were found to have dense growth habits after being grazed closely by sheep, and cattle. • The bluegrasses are the most widely used cool season turf species in the world, in the transitional and cool humid regions
Kentucky Bluegrass • Rhizomatous structure allows recovery – will fill in dead areas over time
Common Lawn Grasses of the Northeast • Bluegrass - Kentucky - Rough, Canada, Poa annua • Ryegrass - Perennial - Annual • Fescues - Fine leaf - Turf- type tall
KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS • The boat- shaped leaf tip is the most important characteristic used in identifying the Poa genus. • All bluegrasses have two translucent lines along the mid-rib Ucdavis.edu
• High fertility needs- 3-4 lbs/yr • High water requirements if low cut • Goes dormant if not watered during drought
• Can get sod for establishing new lawn or renovating
• Billbugs sometimes a problem
• Can tolerate low mowing heights- to 0.5”
• Not good heat tolerance
• Can be used with other grass species
• Can become thatchy
If over- watered and over- fertilized, Kentucky Bluegrass can be prone to severe insect, disease, and thatch problems.
After dormancy, growth can resume and good cover can be formed in 2-3 weeks after end of drought
Rough Bluegrass- Poa trivialis • Well-suited for moist shade conditions
***
• Sometimes called roughstalk bluegrass or rough meadowgrass
• Can tolerate moderately soggy soils • Slow establishment rate • Excellent wear tolerance- used on irrigated sports fields
Poa trivialis- Roughstalk Bluegrass • Can be very aggressive, forming light green polystands in a dark green lawn • Can form a very dense fairly high quality turf under very limited conditions
• Fine-texture, yellow-green color. • Prostrate habit with creeping stolons • Not good in drought or heavy traffic
• May be injured by herbicide 2,4-D Too much fertilizer, too much water- aggressive rough bluegrass infiltrates a Kentucky Bluegrass lawn www.omafra.gov.on.ca
Poa annua- Annual Bluegrass • Usually considered a weed in turfgrass stands • Light green to green-yellow • Does not do well if heat, drought, low temperatures persist • Adapted to a moist, shaded environment, pH 5.5-6.5 and high phosphorus soil • The lower a quality turfgrass is cut, the better opportunity Poa annua has of getting a foothold
Poa Annua • An annual grass that survives through prolific seed production at extremely low mowing height- ¼” • Poor salt tolerance • High tolerance to compacted soils • Can survive on a very shallow root system • Will die if soil water-logged at high temperatures Cooperseeds.com
FESCUES TWO TYPES : Fine fescues- narrow, needlelike leaves
Tall fescues- medium to coarse texture www.ppdl.purdue.edu
Dominant Characteristics of Fescues
Three Types of Tall Fescue Pasture types- Kentucky 31, Alta, Fawn have broad, upright fast- growing leaves and high crown: VERY COARSE TEXTURE
• Good shade tolerance • Can remain green all year
Turf-type- darker green, medium texture less upright leaf growth, flatter crown
• Good drought resistance • Good salt tolerance
Dwarf-
slower growing turf type. texture close to Kentucky bluegrass less drought- tolerant than other tall fescues more disease prone
Tall Fescues Tolerate-
Low-
wear shade salt drought- when established acid soils
water and fertilizer requirements when established
• Used mostly as single species • Has a good establishment rate if seeded in late summer/ early fall • Can tolerate wet soil conditions and extended submersion ( used in drainage areas )
Fine Fescues
Turf-type tall fescues • Medium to medium-fine texture
• All can be mixed with KBG and perennial rye to add greater shade and drought tolerance
• Newer cultivars dark green like KBG
• Tolerant to low fertility, drought, and acid soils
• Spring seeding not advised
• Does best in low N environment
• Wear tolerant/ disease resistant
• Poor traffic tolerance- gets clumpy, thin
• Can remain green 8-9 months of year
• Shade tolerant ( dry shade )
• Creeping red- best in dry shade/ cold • Chewings- best drought tolerance • Hard-
ditches, banks, un-mowed roadsides
• Sheep- low quality lawn grassexcellent in wildflower meadow All do poorly in moist, wet shade
Creeping Red Fescue-
Festuca rubra
• Has rhizomes • Likes a dry shade environment • Usually added to KBG for better shade tolerance • Poor wear tolerance, especially in shade • Will get thatchy if nitrogen excessive • Can go dormant in drought
Chewings Fescue • More upright than creeping • Non-aggressive and blends well with most grasses • Can be grown on the more sandy soils of low fertility
Festuca rubra commutata
Sheep Fescue
Hard Fescue • More disease resistance than other fine fescues • Slow-growing, low maintenance grass • Good for erosion and reclamation planting • Spartan good cultivar for lawns, but not generally used except in blends with chewings and creeping red
• Used in low maintenance situations- roadsides, cemeteries, conservation areas • Bluish-gray leaves are stiff- tough to mow with dull blades- shredded tops are ratty looking and light-coloured • Grows best on gravelly or sandy soils-poor heat tolerance www.seedman.com
Festuca ovina
Festuca longifolia
Perennial Ryegrass The fine fescues survive extreme cold and are used for low maintenance areasslopes, roadsides, reclamation sites. Once established, fine fescues require little water or fertilizer. The fine leaves lose little moisture on sunny days
Lolium perenne
• Has a fast establishment and germination rate • Rarely used alone- Is used in mixes with fescues and Bluegrasses • Has excellent wear tolerance • Irrigation needed in prolonged drought • Dark green color
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• Bunch habit • Full sun • Susceptible to pythium and red thread • Poor recuperative ability • Good tolerance to soil compaction
• High nitrogen requirements
Problems with Perennial Ryegrass • Little heat tolerance • Poor low temperature tolerance • Needs irrigation in summer if thick stand is established • High maintenance requirements- mow 2x a week above 2’’ in spring • First lawn grass to show drought stress symptoms
Annual Ryegrass ( Italian Ryegrass ) • Upright bunch habit • Very rapid establishment rate- used most often as a nurse grass until desired grasses can be established. • Poor cold, heat, and moisture stress tolerance. • Good for wet areas, but not submersion tolerant
Lolium multiflorum
Endophytes • Endophytes are beneficial fungi that live within seed and then grow and persist in the plant as it develops. They produce compounds that discourage leaf and stem feeding insects • Ryegrasses containing endophytes have increased resistance to webworms, fall armyworms, billbugs and chinch bugs. • Endophytes are not in the roots of grass plant - no grub resistance • Several tall fescue varieties are also endophyteenhanced, also some creeping red cultivars
Bentgrass- Agrostis genus • Widely used in golf course greens, tees and fairways, tennis courts, lawn bowling
Two bentgrasses may be found in home lawns, and are considered weedsCreeping Bentgrass- Agrostis palustris
• Not used in home lawns
Colonial Bentgrass- Agrostis tenuis
• Can become very thatchy • Most tolerant of close mowing of all cool season grasses- Does best cut at .120”- 0.5”
Lawn height Colonial bentgrass- stolons produce a witches’ broom type effect
Junegrass- Koeleria macrantha
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Wisc.edu
Koeleria macrantha ‘ Barkoel ‘ 0.5- 2 ½’ Prefers hot summers with no water
• Prairie junegrass is one of the first grasses to green- up in spring • Cold, heat, drought tolerant • Well- drained soils- silts, loams
Tolerates light shade Adaptable to rocky and sandy soils
• Does best at ph 6. 5- 8.0 and rainfall 12- 20 “ per year • Establish from seed in spring- bunch habit
Soquel Creek Water District
Slowly rhizomatous
Warm Season Grasses • More low- growing than cool season grasses • More tolerant of close mowing • Deeper rooted- more drought, heat, wear tolerant • Less low temperature hardy- discolor when too cold • Generally established vegetatively
Zoysiagrass • Established by sprigs, plugs or seed- very slow rate of establishment- may take 3 years to fill in •Thick stolons and rhizomes form a dense mat of prostrate growing turf, few weeds get in •Stiff, tough stems and leaves make it difficult to mow- reels work best •Should be kept low- 1”- 1 ½ ‘
Zoysia species
• Zoysia grass is very salt tolerant • Excellent wear tolerance- used in some athletic fields in the southern regions • Excellent drought tolerance • Can become invasive- stolons can go under driveways to the neighbor’s lawn
Zoysiagrass prefers a well-drained, moist, fertile, slightly acidic soil, and full sun. 1-3 lbs/N/ 1000 sq,ft, per year
Thatch production is profuse- de-thatching is necessary on a regular basis Free of major disease problems Used in golf courses and athletic fields in the south, as well as lawns Will turn tan as soon as frost arrives and will remain that way until soil temperatures reach 60 degrees and remain there
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Nitrogen Needs
Optimum Soil pH • • • • • •
Kentucky BluegrassTall FescuePerennial RyegrassFine FescueZoysiagrassJunegrass-
6- 7.2 ( 6- 7 ) 4.7- 8.5 ( 5.5- 6.5 ) 6- 7.5 ( 6- 7 ) 5.5- 7 ( 5.5- 6.5 ) 5.0- 7.8 ( 6- 6.5 ) 6.5- 8.0
( ) indicates preferred pH
Choosing the Right Grass for Your Lawn ______________________________________ • Intended use
• • • • • •
Kentucky Bluegrass- high Tall Fescuelow Perennial Ryegrass- med-high Fine fescueslow Zoysiagrass low Junegrass very low
2-4 lbs/yr 2 lbs/yr 2-6 lbs/yr 1- 2 lbs/yr 1-2 lbs/yr 0-1 lb/yr
When mixes are used, one grass may be favored by nutrient level in the soil being higher, or lower
Wet Soil Rough bluegrass Tall fescue
Dry Soil Creeping red fescue Sheep fescue
• Intended maintenance level Erodible sites • Conditions for growth- shade/sun soil type irrigate or not fertilize or not
Tall fescue KBG Creeping red fescue
Low management Tall fescue Sheep fescue Fine fescue Zoysiagrass junegrass
Dry shade
Lawn Care Mistake
Potential Problem Favored
Mowing Too Short
Crabgrass, Diseases, Higher water And fertilizer requirements
Frequent, Light Watering
Crabgrass, Disease
Over- watering
Thatch, Disease, Shallow rooted turf,
Over- fertilizing
Disease, Thatch
Under- fertilizing
Disease, Weeds, Moss
Wet shade
Fine fescues Tall fescues Zoysiagrass
Rough bluegrass Tall fescue- thin
Acid soils
Heavy wear
Sheep fescue Hard fescue Red fescue Tall fescue
Perennial rye grass Tall fescue KBG Zoysiagrass
Nutsedge invasions
University of Illinois Extension
Sound Mowing Practices • Know the best mowing height for species • Remove only 1/3 of the leaf blade at a time • Keep blades or reels sharp • Mow around stressed and dormant areaschange patterns
• Mow when the grass is dry- reduces clumping and spreading of any disease • Mow until growth stops • In spring, start lower – 1 ½- 2” and gradually raise to desired height. Gradually lower again as it cools in fall
Blade tips shredded from dull mower blades
WATER/ IRRIGATION
If you water your lawn…
• Too much water = disease, compaction, and weak, shallow roots • Most cool season grasses need between 1 and 1 ½” / week
“breathe” -
• Deep, infrequent watering is best.
• Grass growing in shade needs less water • The best time of day to water- between 4:30 a.m. and 10 a.m.
“ across”
EVAPO-TRANSPIRATION www.purdue.edu RATE The ET rate is the loss of moisture from the root zone of a plant calculated by the temperature and weather conditions of the day- wind, humidity- 98% water from roots lost as vapor from the leaves through the stomata
Non-irrigated Irrigated Nutsedge encroachment due to overwatering
Grass on left is now dormant
WATER RUN-OFF DIVERSION
WATER RETENTION BASIN
Things you need to know about your soil
Turfgrass Fertilization
• pH- acid or alkaline
• Returning grass clippings can reduce supplemental nitrogen applications by 1/ 3
• Texture- sandy, clay, loam, or a mix
• Ratio of N:P:K should be 4 : 1 : 3 or 4 : 1 : 2 for lawn grasses
• Drain well? • Infiltration fast or slow?
• The higher the quality of turf desired= more fertilizer usually needed
• Have it tested- deficiencies structural problems water retention
A fertilizer bag tells the amounts of the nutrients according to their % of weight of the bag’s total contents
Nitrogen and Turfgrass • Applied to maximize growth and vigor • Key times to apply- after spring growth flush late summer or early fall • Focus should be on less N in spring, more in late summer or early fall ( not past late Oct. ).
Nutrients always listed in this order: Nitrogen - Phosphorus -
N
-
P
-
Potassium
K
• Heavy spring N applications stimulate rapid shoot growth at expense of roots- stress and thinning often occurs in heat of summer
Nitrogen fertilizers
Early Spring Applications of Nitrogen: not needed until after initial spring growth slows Summer applications of nitrogen: stimulates shoot growth when grass when roots are at lowest mass, unable to keep up with water demands to cool off
Three types used in turf: 1.
Synthetic inorganic – ammonium nitrate NH4NO3 - ammonium sulfate NH4SO4 - potassium nitrate KNO3
2.
Synthetic Organic-
3.
Natural organic-
Early Fall Applications of Nitrogen: promote root growth while plants are still photosynthesizing- carbs stored in roots/ crown as top growth slows
Fast release nitrogen growth flushes
Ureaform - IBDU - sulfur and polymer coated urea -
animal manure bone meal sewage sludge seaweed extract fish meal feather meal
Fast - Release Nitrogen
peak
• Quick response, lasting 4 weeks or less
crash application
application
Slow- release nitrogen- even growth
• High salt index and high foliar burn potential – need to water in immediately - do not apply on wet grass • Higher leaching potential- highly soluble
Fertilizer burn from spill
www.agry.purdue.edu
Dog urine injury
University of Illinois
Slow-Release Fertilizers • Natural organics- manure, compost, bloodmeal, biosolids, fish meal, kelp, feathers • Synthetic organics- reacting urea with organic or inorganic compounds to make it release at a slower rate- may be coated with sulfur or polymers
• Slow- release natural organic nitrogen depends upon microbial activity to break down to usable form • Low T°can slow breakdown, or even suspend breakdown of nitrogen
• More uniform growth during growing season • Lower salt index- less burn potential than fast release fertilizers • Long-term response can carry over from year to year • Lower leaching and volatilization loss • Apply less often and often supply other nutrientshelp suppress certain diseases ( microbes )
Because of the advantages and disadvantages of both forms, some fertilizers combine both fast and slow release forms
• Extremely acidic soils have less microbial activity
BE CAREFUL
½ nitrogen is fast- release, ½ slow release
CHICKEN MANURE
CORN GLUTEN MEAL
Phosphorus and Turfgrass • Seed germination, seedling vigor, root responses- crucial in establishing grass
Potassium and Turfgrass • High K in leaf tissue can improve heat, drought, cold, wear, and disease tolerance • Apply only when soil tests indicate it is low
• If low- work into soil to 4-6”- moves slowly through soil profile and can accumulate near soil surface • Usually only one application per year is needed for grasses
• If clippings are returned, may not need any K applied ( in Ct. ) • Potassium is prone to leaching in sandy soils— avoid over- watering
Lawn Fertilizer Calculations • Rates always calculated per 1,000 square feet To determine amount needed for 1 lb. Nitrogen/1000sqft if : 10 - 2- 5 fertilizer is used • Formula:
100
% Nitrogen in the bag 100 = 10 lbs. fertilizer needed/ 1000sq.ft. 10 to get 1 lb. rate of N The higher the % N, the less fertilizer needed
Spreaders Rotary- Throws particles in semi- circular pattern, larger particles thrown farther. May apply 1/2 rate in one direction and 1/2 in the opposite direction - Overlap passes by 1/3
Drop- Spreader drops particles evenlybut a very accurate application required to avoid striping effects - Less chance of wind drift
Cornell University Lawn Care Library
Fall is the ideal time to fertilize cool season grasses
Misapplications of Nitrogen Fertilizer
Iowa state university
www.urbanext.uiuc.edu
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Brown grass is dead grasstoo much fertilizer
Light areas missed- can reapply to missed areas
Reading a Grass Seed Bag Label As the summer approaches and soil temperatures increase, shoot growth slows down. Many times, homeowners apply fertilizer because they think the lawn has stopped growing for lack of food. Fertilizing at this time may cause more harm than good, especially when humid, wet conditions occur.
• Analysis panel required by law- tells you exactly what is in the bag • Each kind ( Variety ) is listed by % ( Purity ) by weight in the bag • Germination- % that will sprout- the higher the better • Inert Matter- not capable of growth • Weed seed- % by weight _ acceptable is 0.3- 0.5% • Noxious weed- want this to be NONE FOUND • Lot #, and date seed was tested for viability
The % germination for Kentucky bluegrass should be at least 75% Fine fescue, tall fescue and perennial ryegrass should have a % germination of at least 85%
Make sure the grass types are listed by cultivar name, not just the generic grass type • For example: “ Thermal Blue “ KBG- 38% “ Manhattan “ Perennial rye-25% “ Genesis “ Hard Fescue-37% • Not:
KBG - 38% Perennial Rye- 25% Hard Fescue- 37%
Mix:
two or more different species: ryegrass, KBG, fescue all in same bag/ loose mix
Blend: two or more cultivars of the same species, i.e. “ Manhattan “ and “ Nexus “ perennial ryes 3 SPECIES-
KBG, FESCUE, PERENNIAL RYE
4 CULTIVARS-
BARON, NUGGET, DERBY, JAMESTOWN
Percentage Live Seed
Want similar texture/ habits/ growth requirements Best scenario is to plant more than one cultivar or species to avoid losing vast areas to disease, insects, or stress
pH affects nutrient availability Most grasses need pH between 5.8- 7.0
PLS is the amount of seed that is guaranteed to germinate It is determined by multiplying the % germination and the % purity Example: if % germination is 90% and the % purity is 85% 90 x 85= 76% of the seed will germinate in the best of conditions If 100lb. bag of seed, then expect 76 lbs to actually germinate
Low pH and Turf Effects On turf- low pH: • Reduces rooting
Msu.edu
LIME • Best applied in fall- but can apply any time as long as the ground is not frozen
• Causes excess thatch development • Reduces microbial activity
• Do not apply at the same time fastrelease fertilizers are used- wait 3 weeks to apply lime after applying urea
• Reduces earthworm populations
• Wash lime off leaf blades • Reduces wear and drought tolerance
LOWERING SOIL pH Pelletized Lime-
• Elemental sulfur is useful to lower soil pH- also it is fairly inexpensive. Aluminum sulfate can be used also. •
Pellets from pelletized lime dissolve after a soaking rain or irrigation. If tilling soil, apply pellets before tilling and water thoroughly.
Aluminum sulfate lowers ph instantly as it dissolves into the soil
• Sulfur can take months to convert to sulfuric acidaided by soil bacteria • Both products burn foliage - water off immediately • Both products work best when worked into the soil
• Clay soils may require 3 times the sulfur that sandy soils need to lower pH
large rocks just below soil surface
• Rates may have to be low and frequent- 0.5- 5 lbs/ 1000 sq. ft. • Do not apply sulfur if air T° is 90° or above • Apply in the cool part of the growing season
FROST DAMAGE
©2007 pammcooper
perdue.edu
Ice crown damage- umn.edu Lasius neoniger :
A.K.A. Turf ant