Transcript Document

Home Lawns
Poaceae Domus
King County Master Gardeners
Austin Watson
March 10, 2009
About Me
• Austin Watson
– www.austingwatson.com/mg/
• Master Gardener since 2002
– Son and Husband of WSU Master Gardeners
Seminar Outline
1.
Introduction and Lawn History
2.
Biology & Lifecycle of the Lawn
3.
Planting a New Lawn
4.
Renovating an Existing Lawn
5.
Maintaining your Lawn
6.
Problems of the Lawn
a.
b.
c.
7.
Diseases of the Lawn
Insect Problems of the Lawn
Animal Problems of the Lawn
MG Clinic Questions / Final Exam
MG Clinic Q&A regarding the Lawn
After Fruit and Ornamental Trees, Lawns are the third most
common category of question you will get at a Master
Gardener clinic.
If you include Weeds, Insects, Soil and Landscaping, It is
the most common category.
Be prepared…
Lawn Care For Dummies
The Lawn Bible
ISBN 0764550772
ISBN 0786888423
and EB’s…
Typical MG Lawn Questions
1 ½ year old lawn - Turning Brown
Lawn care
Removing sod - Black plastic/landscape cloth?
Aerate - Wait until after rains?
Lawn damage - Will cedar needles cause it?
Removing sod - Procedures and results
Buttercups - How to kill
Lawn moss
Renovating lawn
Crane flies - Spraying in neighborhood
Lawn preparation
Renovating old lawn - And organic fertilizer
Crane fly - How to get rid of?
Lawn problems
Reseeded lawn - Not sprouting
Crimson clover
Lawn troubles - Mushrooms
Reseeding lawn - Drainage
Dandelions in lawn
Leaves on lawn - What is it?
Reseeding or sod - Which is best?
Dead lawn - From lady dog
Lime - How much to use on grass?
Restoring a lawn
Dead spot - After reseeding last year
Moss in lawn
Rust in grass
Die-off in rings
Moss killer - Will it affect grass seed?
Seed a lawn
Dormant lawn - Should I water a little?
Natural lawn care - How to refresh for July
party?
Seeding new lawn - Too cold now?
Dutch clover - How to get rid of it in lawn?
New lawn – brown - Fertilize and top dress
now?
Sodding lawn
Fairy rings
New lawn - How to prepare soil?
Tearing up lawn - Something at night?
Fall/winter fertilizer - When to apply?
Organic fertilizer?
Thatching
Fertilizer - Fertilize now?
Over seeding - Care and maintenance
Time to reseed?
General lawn maintenance
Over seeding - How much to water?
Used Turf builder - Lawn has patches
Grass clippings - Bag or mulch?
Patches in lawn
Weed and Feed
Grass seed - Best for new lawn?
Planting a lawn
Weed eradication
Grass seed - For shade?
Red thread
Weedy lawn - How long for seeds to sprout?
Lawn Class Summary
1. Fertilize 4 times per year with 3:1:2, using 4 lb N / 1000 sq ft / yr
2. Mow weekly at 1.5” to 2”. Remove top third
3. Water 1” per week, as needed, or not at all.
4. To plant a new lawn – get a book & follow directions
• Use Perennial Rye Grass and Fine Fescue
5. To Renovate a lawn – get a book & follow directions
6. Disease Management – repeat (1,2,3) above
LAWN
Definitions
• Lawn
– a stretch of open, grass-covered land, esp. one closely
mowed, as near a house, on an estate, or in a park.
• Yard
– the ground that immediately adjoins or surrounds a
house, public building, or other structure.
• Turf
– a layer of matted earth formed by grass and plant roots
• Grass
– any plant of the family Gramineae, having jointed stems,
sheathing leaves, and seedlike grains
– such plants collectively, as when cultivated in lawns or
used as pasture for grazing animals or cut and dried as
hay
My Lawn – The Green One
Effects of
Water
Sept 9, 2006
Nobody watered the lawn this
summer. Aug 2006 = 0” rain.
It turned brown.
When the rains came, it turned
green.
Sept 9
Effects of
Water
Sept 9, 2007
Nature watered the lawn this
summer. Aug 2007 = .73” rain
It stayed green.
Except where the Poa Annua
was.
Dec 29
Feb 5
History
• Lawns became popular in Europe from the
Middle Ages onward
• The early lawns were not always distinguishable
from pasture fields
• It is thought that the associations with pasture
and the biblical connotations of this word made
them attractive culturally
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawn
Today’s Dream Lawns
Today’s premier lawns are
all about of Baseball,
Football and Golf.
Turf Systems
And they are
very high tech.
Biology & Lifecycle
“Grass is the premier plant for improving soil structure.”
“Turf in an organic matter factory.”
Notes from 2002 MG Soils training.
Grass Biology
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Stolons – above ground rooting
Rhizomes – below ground rooting
Blade - photosynthesis
Collar
Stem
Sheaf
Node Internode
Ligule
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poaceae
Naming
FESCUE
RYE
• Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
• Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
• Genus: Festuca
• Genus: Lolium
Perennial Ryegrass - Lolium
•
•
•
•
Group:
Family:
Duration:
Growth Habit:
Monocot
Poaceae
Perennial, Annual
Graminoid <grasslike>
Fescue - Festuca
•
•
•
•
Group:
Family:
Duration:
Growth Habit:
Monocot
Poaceae
Perennial
Graminoid
Quite a good place to learn biology:
http://plants.usda.gov/java/nameSearch
Lifecycle
• Repeat {
• Green
• Brown }
• Repeat {
• Seed
• Sprout
• Stolon
• Rhizome
• Flower }
Grasses
• Fine Fescue
– shade tolerant,
– low maintenance (low N fert, water, mow)
– Gets Red Thread Disease
• Perennial Rye
– Green later in fall, earlier in spring
– More thatch than bentgrass
– Gets Red Thread Disease
•
Bentgrass
–
–
–
–
–
•
Beautiful – but lots of work. High maintenance
Thatch, Creep into beds, get red thread
Can mow to 1/8 to 1/2 in
Use colonial, not creeping
Works well on soils that are saturated for long periods
Tall Fescue
– Transition areas (hot and cold)
– Needs water
Just say no to these Grasses
– In the PNW just say no to these grasses
• No! Zoisia
– Warm season – browns at 55 deg
• No! Kentucky Blue Grass
– Needs dormancy period , needs low ph soil,
disease prone in Western WA
A Typical Lawn History
•
My Lawn
1987 New – New house – Two small boys
1988-2003 – Maintenance
2003 – Renovation – Overuse
2007 – Renovation – Weed Infestation
Planning for a New Lawn
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Lawn Planting Seasons - Plant during the green periods.
•
Plan so there will be 6 to 8 weeks of good growing
weather
•
The fall optimum is mid-Aug to mid-Sept
•
The period from mid-May to approximately midJune is a pretty good time to plant
•
The rest of the year is a poor to bad time to plant
grass
Planting a New Lawn
•
Plan so you plant during the optimum time of the year
–
Mid Aug to mid September or mid May to mid June as a second choice
•
Till and rough grade existing soil.
–
Use existing soil when feasible.
–
Till in Lime or other amendments if needed.
–
Add amendments or imported soil at this time, spread as a layer.
•
Finish grade via raking and rolling to produce a uniform profile with a firm surface.
•
Apply pre-plant fertilizer high in Nitrogen and Phosphorus; 10:20:20
•
Apply seed with a drop seeder, or by hand and lightly rake it in.
•
Apply no more than ¼ inch of mulch with wire basket mulch roller, or by hand.
•
Irrigate site thoroughly at first and then with light repeat applications.
–
Keep seedbed moist but not saturated for 1 to 2 weeks.
–
Reduce frequency of irrigation after germination occurs.
•
Mow as soon as there is grass to cut at about three weeks after planting.
•
Fertilize with Nitrogen based fertilizer 3:1:2 about 4 to 6 weeks after planting.
•
Sit back and enjoy your new lawn!
Planting a New Lawn in Summer
•
Don’t if you can avoid it!
•
Plant seed treated with a fungicide to prevent damping off
•
Use the lowest seed rate in the optimum range
•
Use a light colored mulch at a low rate or no mulch at all
•
Water very carefully to avoid drought and saturation
•
Fertilize cautiously
•
Be patient and wait for fall for better growing weather.
•
Pray for a cool summer
Planting a New Lawn in Late Fall
•
Don’t if you can avoid it!
•
If you must plant late increase seeding rates.
–
Add 2 lbs mix per 1000 sq ft per week after mid-Sept
•
Use a dark colored mulch to absorb as much heat as possible
from the meager fall sunshine
•
Increase the percentage of perennial ryegrass in the mix
•
Fertilize at the time of planting and again 4 to 6 weeks later
•
Pray for a warm fall
Soil & Soil Prep (sand silt clay)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Sandy loam best
Soil makeup = (Normal, compacted, poorly drained)
Soil needs air
Sand has less water capacity, loam more water capacity
Natural depth typically 2 – 4 in – add up to 4 in
Drain at 16” deep if wet (trench, perf-pipe, gravel)
Soil test kit (send it in)
Or, assume typical PNW soil and add 10:20:20 + Lime
Topsoil ½ in depth below patio height
Compact after seeding, not before
Prep is same for sod, seed, or spray
Seeding the new lawn
• Shade over 50% is too much – you can cut down the
tree  – or use fine fescue
• If poorly drained do not use fine fescue, use ryegrass or
tall fescue
• If highly trafficked, use perennial rye
• Seed in X direction, Seed in Y direction. Rake & Roll
• Keep moist until germination
• Cover w/ mulch if hot and dry or windy or to discourage
birds (Cover with bird net if needed)
• Expect to mow in three weeks
Seeding a New Lawn
•
If you plant during an optimum planting period and want
a perennial ryegrass - fine fescue lawn then use a
minimum of 5 lb. mix/1000 sq. ft.
•
For each week you plant later than the optimum period
in the fall, increase the seed rate by 2 lb. mix/1000 sq.
ft.
•
Applying Seed
1. Overseed
2. Spray on / Hydroseed
3. Sod (aka: sprouted seed)
Seed VS Sod VS Spray
• Seed
– Lowest cost
– Excellent likelihood for good results
• Sod
–
–
–
–
Highest cost
Instant gratification – don’t forget to water it!
May separate if poorly installed
May include interlopers
• Spray
– Good for very large areas
Grass Seed Label
Grass Seed Label
Grass Seed Label
OOPS!
Kentucky Blue
grass not
recommended
for Western WA
Lawn Renovation - Step by Step
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Mow short
Thatch
Aerate
Fill low spots – re-level
Feed (Fertilizer, Lime)
Over seed
Remaining steps same as for new lawn
•
Water, Mow
Renovating an Existing Lawn
•
Link to Renovation Slide Show
About Thatch
•
Thatch is caused by the accumulation of roots and dead grass stolons, and
it builds up faster with some grass types than with others.
•
The layer of dead material acts just like the thatch on an old-fashioned roof,
and it repels water.
•
If it's more than about 1/2 inches thick, it will keep air, water, and nutrients
from reaching the grass roots and turf quality will be poor.
– Harbors disease
– Prevents fertilization
– Reduces water uptake
•
Remove Thatch in Spring – before end of April (Feb to April)
Thatch
As thatch accumulates, turf grass roots grow in the thatch rather
than in the soil, resulting in weakened turfs that are prone to
stress injury.
Thatcher aka POWER Rake
Power Rake Blade
THATCH MASTER
Aerators
NO
Aerators
Maintaining your Lawn
•
Watering
•
Mowing
•
Feeding
•
Weeding
Watering your lawn
• One inch per week
– Once a week sufficient
– Early morning preferred
• Use a rain gauge to decide when to water
– Look at it and pour it out once a week. If more than
one inch, don’t water.
• Or, just water from Mid July to Mid Sept
• Or, just let it go dormant.
Lawn Watering Tools
Effect of Water on Summer Grass
Drought
•
Many established lawns, even though they look brown and dry when not watered
through summer, will recover with fall rains.
•
Recovery from dormancy depends on lawn grass type. Dr. Gwen Stahnke, Turf
Agronomist at WSU, says that bentgrass lawns can go totally dormant and
recover. Perennial ryegrass lawns — often those used in Western Washington —
will thin out, with some dead blades. Those lawns could be seeded again in fall.
•
If you plan to allow the lawn to go dormant, do not spread seed — or overseed —
during drought. Lack of water will kill the small grasses.
•
When fertilizing for the April-May period, apply only half the usual rate of fertilizer
to keep the grass from growing too lush.
•
Do not fertilize established (older) lawns during June, July or August.
•
Do recycle grass clippings on the lawn — this will provide nutrients and can help
shade the soil.
•
If grass is dormant or getting little water, stay off it.
Mary Robson
Keep off the Grass
• When it’s new
• When it’s dry
• When it’s frozen
• When its soggy
Two Great Lawn Tools
PH
• Western WA PH is 5.0 to 7.0, slightly acidic
• Lawns want 5.5 to 7.0 – Good news for us!
• Add Sulphur to decrease
PH if necessary
• Add Lime to increase PH
if necessary
– This is very unlikely
NPK
•
N = Nitrogen
– responsible for the vegetative growth of plants above ground. With a good supply, plants
grow sturdily and mature rapidly, with rich, dark green foliage.
•
P = Phosphorus
– Essential for healthy growth, strong roots, fruit and flower development, and greater
resistance to disease. Best to apply before planting.
•
K = Potassium
– potassium is essential for the development of strong hardy plants. It helps plants resist
disease, protects them from cold or dry weather by preventing excess water loss.
•
Avoid getting Phosphorus in the water supply by fertilizing at a time when runoff will be
minimized. Watch the weather report.
•
Use slow or variable release fertilizer to slow down runoff
•
Western WA is PH 5-7, slightly acidic (Lawns want 5.5 to 7.0)
Nutrients - Sulfur
• Sulfur enhances color and helps control
some lawn disease problems
• Look for a fertilizer that contains sulfur, in
the form of ammonium sulfate
http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/hortcult/turf/liming.htm
Nutrients - Lime
•
Apply only when needed as shown by testing to correct soil acidity pH level below 5.5
•
It promotes availability of major plant nutrients. Calcium acts as a regulator and aids in
bringing about the desirable range of availability of many plant nutrients. Some elements
which lime aids in regulating are zinc, copper, and especially phosphorus. Also Furnishes
important plant nutrients—calcium and magnesium
•
It increases bacterial activity and induces favorable soil structure and relationships.
•
Applying Lime does NOT eliminate moss. The lime can help grasses grow better, which
will help to resist moss infestations.
•
When putting in a new lawn, add 100 pounds of lime per 1000 square feet, and work it in
thoroughly before seeding.
•
With established lawns, lime applications every three years may help, but do not exceed
35 pounds per 1000 square feet because the lime will not work into the lawn properly.
•
Reference: EB1096 "The Role of Lime in Turfgrass Management"
Three Kinds of Lime:
1. CaCO3 Calcium Carbonate, Ground Limestone
2. CaO – Caustic Lime
3. Ca(OH)2 – Hydrated Lime
http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/hortcult/turf/liming.htm
http://gardening.wsu.edu/text/faqlawn.htm#lime
Estimating Lawn Size
Three techniques for estimating lawn size:
1. Guess
?
2. Measure & Calculate
A = L1 x W1 + L2 x W2 + L3 x W3 + L4 x W4 + . . .
3. Estimate by comparison
How big is your lot? How much is Lawn?
How many square feet is your house? How does the lawn
compare?
My Fertilizer
One
application
of 12-4-8
on my yard
is this
bucket full.
Lawn Fertilizer Math
Rules:
1. Apply four pounds nitrogen per thousand square feet per year
4 Lb / 1000 SqFt / Yr
2. Buy Fertilizer with a 3:1:2 ratio of N:P:K
Fairly Simple Formula:
Annual Pounds of Fertilizer = Sq Ft / The First Number / 2.5
N
3
12
15
21
P
1
4
5
7
K
2
8
10
14
Label
3:1:2
12:4:8
15:5:10
21:7:14
Typical Fertilizer Package Labeling
Lawn Fertilizer Calculator (Pounds)
2. Fertilizer Package Labeling
1. Lawn
Size
SqFt
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
Total
Lb N /
Yr
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
3:1:2
133
200
267
333
400
467
533
12 : 4 : 8
15 : 5 : 10
33
27
50
40
67
53
83
67
100
80
117
93
133
107
3. Total Lb of fertilizer per year
21 : 7 : 14
19
29
38
48
57
67
76
2. Fertilizer Package Labeling
1. Lawn
Size
SqFt
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
Total
Lb N /
Yr
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
3:1:2
12 : 4 : 8
15 : 5 : 10
21 : 7 : 14
33
8
7
5
50
13
10
7
67
17
13
10
83
21
17
12
100
25
20
14
117
29
23
17
133
33
27
19
3. Total Lb of fertilizer per quarterly application
Follow steps, 1,
2, 3, in red, to
look up your
annual or
quarterly lawn
fertilizer needs
in pounds.
Lawn Fertilizer Calculator (Quarts)
2. Fertilizer Package Labeling
1. Lawn Total
Size
Lb N /
SqFt
Yr
1000
4
1500
6
2000
8
2500
10
3000
12
3500
14
4000
16
3:1:2
12 : 4 : 8
15 : 5 : 10
21 : 7 : 14
12.5
3
2.5
2
19
4.7
4
3
25
6
5
3.6
31
8
6
4.5
38
9.4
7.5
5
44
11
9
6
50
12.5
10
7
3. Total Quarts of fertilizer per quarterly application
Instructions: Follow steps, 1, 2, 3, in
red, to look up your annual or
quarterly lawn fertilizer needs in
quarts.
Northwest Lawn Calendar
JAN
FEB
Stay off frozen grass
Mow monthly, Mulch
Maintain tools
MAR
Thatch & Aerate every 4th yr.
Overseed as needed with perennial
rye and fine or creeping fescue.
Mow weekly
APR
15th - Fertilize 3-1-2, 1 lb N / 1000
sq ft (ok to skip)
MAY
Mow 2x per week, Bag
Mow 2x per week, Bag
Mow 2x per week, Bag
JUL
Water weekly, 1in/wk
AUG
Water weekly, 1in/wk
Mow weekly, Mulch, OR
Ignore and let go dormant 
Mow weekly, Mulch, OR
Ignore and let go dormant 
OCT
Thatch & Aerate every 4th yr.
Overseed as needed with perennial
rye and fine or creeping fescue.
JUN
1st - Fertilize 3-1-2, 1 lb N / 1000
sq ft
SEP
1st - Fertilize 3-1-2, 1 lb N / 1000
sq ft (ok to skip)
Water weekly, 1in/wk
Stay off dry brittle grass
Mow weekly, Mulch, OR
Ignore and let go dormant 
NOV
15th - Fertilize 3-1-2, 1 lb N / 1000
sq ft
DEC
Stay off wet mushy grass
Mow monthly, Mulch
Mow 2x per month, Mulch
3/16/2008 agw
Lawn Alternatives
a.
b.
Removal
Other plants
Lawn Removal Techniques
• Black Plastic Sheeting
Spread sheet of black plastic over the area to be removed. In six months, the grass will die.
Till top 12" of soil.
• Sheet-Composting
Collect large amounts of compostable material. Cover lawn with three layers of material that
will compost and kill the grass. Water from time to time to promote composting.
Bottom Layer - nitrogen material, e.g. grass clippings (3 - 4")
Middle Layer - weed barrier, such as cardboard or newspaper (no colored inks)
Top Layer
- mulch (3 - 4"), fall leaves, sawdust, manure, finished compost, seaweed,
shredded garden trimmings, wood chips, or straw
• Sod Cutting
Top layer of sod can be sliced off using a spade. Larger areas will need a sod cutter,
available at tool rental shop. Sod can be composted and reused as mulch in six months
• Rototilling
Requires at least three treatments; the first tilling should be deep, with compost and lime
added before tilling. After several weeks, repeat but with very shallow tilling to remove
new weeds. Repeat this process in another week to get any remaining weeds.
Ref: http://www.eartheasy.com/article_lawn_reduce.htm
Lawn Alternatives
• Pasture
• EcoLawn
–
–
http://oregonstate.edu/dept/hort/turf/LowMaintenanceAlternativestoConventionalGrassLa%85
.pdf
http://oregonstate.edu/dept/hort/turf/Ecolawns2005revision.pdf
• Concrete, Asphalt
• Newgrass - synthetic lawn
– Comes in Rye or Fescue
–
http://www.newgrass.com/
Problems of the Lawn
a.
b.
c.
d.
Weeds
Diseases
Insects
Animals
Weeds
A Weed is
• The Wrong Plant (not grass)
• in the Wrong Place (lawn)
Plantain
Catsear
Clover
Dandilion
Weed Control
• Identify properly before buying chemicals
• Broadleaf weeds most common in lawns
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Plantain
Dandelion & false dandelion
Mouse Eared Chickweed
Lawn daisy (English daisy)
Buttercup – grows in wet areas
Speedwell – creeping veronica
Purslane
• Tree Roots
• Escapees - Perennials and Annuals
Poa Annua
Annual Bluegrass
Poa Annua - Management
• Annual bluegrass thrives in lawns, gardens, cultivated crops,
roadsides, and other open spaces.
• It can be especially damaging in lawns, where it grows somewhat
faster than other grasses and dies once it reaches maturity, resulting
in undesirable brown spots in the lawn.
• It is commonly discovered as an impurity of lawn grass seed.
http://oregonipm.wsu.edu/pdf/pm/annualbluegrass.pdf
Poa Annua - Management
•
Careful digging is useful to manage weed populations. However, digging
can carry undesirable weed seed to the surface and foster further
germination.
•
Cultivation (rototilling or hoeing) will effectively eliminate plants.
•
Hand pull to eliminate weeds.
•
Maintaining a healthy planting or turf area to provide competition will
prevent weed establishment.
•
Chemical management options are outlined in the PNW Weed Management
Handbook available through OSU at 1-800-561-6719. There is also
information for home gardeners at
http://oregonipm.wsu.edu/pdf/pm/annualbluegrass.pdf
Tree Sucker Weeds
Tree Root Weeds
Lawn Weed Removal
Must have weed removal tools
Broadleaf weed killers
• Maintain
• Dig
• Spray
A fun and dangerous tool
Lawn Weed Removal
• Know the difference
– Weed Killer
– Vegetation Killer
Roundup
Effective but kills all Vegetation including
lawn grass
Read and follow directions.
More is expensive, not better.
Moss
Ferrous Sulfate
•The Bad - Turns your
moss black
•The Good - Adds sulphur
to soil
Lawn Diseases
Brown Blight
Anthracnose
Algae
Dog Injury
Necrotic Ring Spot
Brown Patch
Dollar Spot
Moss
Crown & Root Rot
Take All Patch
Fusarium Patch
Powdery Mildew
Red Thread
Typhula Blight
Rust
Slime mold
Septoria
Yellow Patch
Brown Patch
Dollar Spot
Dreschlera Diseases
Necrotic Ring Spot
Take All Patch
Yellow Patch
ALGAE
Brown Blight
Moss
Powdery Mildew
Pythium Crown and Root Rot
Rusts
Septoria Leaf Spot
Typhula Blight
Curvilaria Blight
Fairy Ring
Fusarium Patch
Red Thread
Anthracnose
Slime Mold
rC
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Lawn Disease VS
Management
Option
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
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X
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X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
5
X
5
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
5
5
X
X
X
5
X
5
4
4
X
4
X
4
X
2
X
1
X
17
14
Link to Lawn Disease Database
5
X
X
X
X
X
X
6
5
X
X
X
6
6
X
X
X
X
6
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
6
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
7
X
11
10
10
10
8
6
5
3
2
Lawn Disease VS
Chemical Option
Brown Patch
Anthracnose
Brown Blight
Dollar Spot
Rust
Typhula blight (Gray snow mold)
Drechslera diseases
Fusarium patch (Pink snow)
Curvilaria Blight (Fading Out)
Necrotic Ring Spot
Powdery Mildew
Yellow Patch
Fairy Ring
Septoria Leaf Spot
Take All Patch
Pythium Crown And Root Rot
Red Thread
Slime Mold
Algae
Moss
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
l
thy
e
te
il
le
m
nil
lfa
n
lon nazo nate
a
u
o
t
a
f
s
u
ha dime clob
oth pico
us
B
r
p
o
NE
o
N
r
o
l
o
a
ch
pr
thi
tri
my
PC
fer
NO
X
X
X
X
X
Fungus
X
X
X
X
Fungus
X
X
X
X
Fungus
X
X
X
Fungus
X
X
X
Fungus
X
X
X
X
Fungus
X
X
Fungus
X
X
X
Fungus
Fungus
X
X
Fungus
X
X
X
X
Fungus
X
Fungus
X
Fungus
X
Fungus
X
Fungus
X
Fungus
X
Fungus
X
Slime Mold
Algae
X
Moss
Lawn Insects
Ants
Chinch Bugs
Billbugs E. Wa
Sod Webworm
Cutworms
Yellow Jacket
European Cranefly
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
n
C
on
di
ng
ov
R
em
d
W
ee
Ve
rif
y
R
em
ov
e
O
er
C
ul
al
di
ffe
n
re
x
Pr
op
ng
di
oo
Fl
le
ra
tio
n
tu
ov
To
Th
at
ch
R
em
D
an
d
ch
C
at
al
ro
y
es
t
at
u
N
e
ra
g
co
u
En
Chinch Bug
Cutworms
Yellowjackets
Billbugs
Eurpoean Cranefly
Sod Webworm
Ants
Leafhoppers
tio
s
ne
m
ie
ra
lE
Insect VS
Management
Option
x
4
x
x
x
3
2
x
2
x
2
x
x
2
1
2
x
8
Link to Lawn Insect Database
3
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
11
hr
in
pe
rm
et
ch
t
ad
i
az
x
x
x
ra
cl
op
id
a
im
x
x
x
x
in
rid
zi
de
lo
f
ha
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
en
o
hr
in
ar
ca
rb
fe
nt
yl
rin
th
x
bi
Billbugs
Cutworms
Sod Webworm
Ants
Chinch Bug
Yellowjackets
Eurpoean Cranefly
Leafhoppers
cy
flu
Insect VS
Chemical
Option
5
x
5
5
4
x
x
3
x
x
x
3
2
1
5
4
3
3
1
1
European Cranefly
Larvae feed on the crowns of
grasses during the winter and
spring.
Damage can be severe in
lawns, appearing as large
patches of dead or dying grass.
Adult
Grass usually recovers when
the larvae stop feeding,
Larvae
They emerge from lawns in late August through
September and may gather on the sides of houses
in large numbers. Eggs are laid in the fall.
Larvae are about an inch long, gray-brown, and
worm-like with a tough, leathery skin which gives
them the common name "leatherjackets"
Damage 
They feed in the soil from fall through spring,
pupating in the summer. They feed primarily at
night and during cloudy weather on overcast days.
Treatment is usually not necessary unless spring sampling indicates more than 25/sq ft
Properly irrigated and fertilized lawns rarely need treatment even at higher numbers
Sampling for European Cranefly
Treatment is usually not necessary unless spring sampling indicates more than 25/sq ft
If you suspect that you have a cranefly problem, it is important to determine the
level of cranefly infestation.
Monitor the lawn in February/March and consider treatment if larval numbers
exceed 25-30 per square foot.
If you have had serious previous infestations or missed the spring application,
monitor larval populations in mid-November to December when larvae are
about 3/8-inch long.
If populations exceed 25-30 at that time, then treat.
Note: Do not treat in the fall if an effective treatment was made in the spring.
Two applications per year are unnecessary. Many pyrethroids are toxic to bees.
Be cautious and mow or remove weed flowers to evacuate bees before
applying.
Chemical Options = Advanced Garden Power Force Multi-Insect Killer R-T-S cyfluthrin
Ortho BugBGon Max Insect Killer for Lawns
bifenthrin
http://pep.wsu.edu/Hortsense/
Mammalian Lawn Damage
aka - Varmint Damage
• Burrowing
– Moles, Voles, Rodents
• Digging
– Dogs, Raccoons
• Defecating & Urinating
– Dogs, Cats, Deer, Raccoons, larger mammals
• Everything Else
– Humans, generally male (HD)
MG Clinic Q&A regarding the Lawn
After Fruit and Ornamental Trees, Lawns are the third most
common category of question you will get at a Master
Gardener clinic.
If you include Weeds, Insects, Soil and Landscaping, It is
the most common category.
Be prepared…
All you need to be a successful MG clinician
MG Clinic Questions Relevant to Lawns
8%
Lawns
Weeds
Insects
Soil
Landscaping
Percent of All Questions
7%
6%
5%
4%
3%
2%
1%
0%
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Lawn Q& A Practice
http://gardening.wsu.edu/text/faqlawn.htm#lime
MARY ROBSON, AREA EXTENSION AGENT, ANSWERING YOUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1.
What Grass Seed Grows Well in Western Washington?
2.
How Do I Fertilize the Lawn?
3.
What do I do about moss in the Lawn?
4.
Does Lime Kill Moss?
5.
Can I Put Grass Clippings Back on the Lawn?
6.
What Makes Thatch?
7.
When and How Often do I Water the Lawn?
8.
How Can I Remove Lawn Weeds?
9.
My Grass Looks Clumpy and Coarse. Why?
10. Seed or Sod for New Lawns?
11. Does My Lawn Have Cranefly?
12. Mushrooms in the Lawn?
13. How Can I Get Rid of Moles?
14. What Causes Mushrooms to Come Up in My Yard in the Fall?
15. How Do I Get Rid of Red Thread in My Lawn?
16. What Will Get Rid of Horsetails Without Hurting My Lawn?
17. My Lawn on a Steep Bank is Dead. What is the Best Way to Handle it?
Mythology
•
•
•
•
•
Myth
Myth
Myth
Myth
Myth
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Myth: The more water the better.
Myth: Watering my lawn at night is best.
Myth: I never water, so I don’t need lawn care.
Myth: Lawn hydroseeding is much lower maintenance than hand seeding
Myth: You should remove the mulch hay from your newly seeded lawn as soon as it
starts growing
Myth: When I mix pest controls I mix them a little bit stronger than what the label states
to get better control.
Myth: If I get rid of the grubs in my lawn the moles will go away.
Myth: If I kill my weeds, I won’t have a lawn.
•
•
•
MYTH: Lawn clippings cause THATCH.
MYTH: Mowing very low allows more time between mowings.
MYTH: Wet grass should never be cut.
•
No. 1: Lawns are always thirsty.
No. 2: Lawns are meant to be close-cropped.
No. 3: Monthly fertilizing is required.
No. 4: You have to spray regularly to keep pests off.
No. 5: Lawns are weak; weeds are strong.
http://www.gardeners.com/5-Misconceptions-About-Turf-Care/default/5620.page
http://www.lucastree.com/LC_MythsFacts.htm
http://www.hcs.ohio-state.edu/mg/manual/lawn2.htm#3
Final Exam
1. How many times per year should you fertilize?
2. When is the most important time to fertilize? When is the least
important time?
3. How many pounds of Nitrogen per year should you apply to a 1000
square foot lawn?
4. What is the recommended N:P:K ratio for lawn fertilizer?
5. How many inches of water per week is recommended?
6. What two grass types are recommended for Western Washington
lawns?
7. What is the most effective method for weed prevention in a lawn?
8. What is the most effective method for weed removal in a lawn?
Northwest Lawns - References
1.
EM8742 - Sustainable Gardening, Chapter 12
2.
EB0482 – Home Lawns (and
•
many other EB’s)
http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/eb0482/eb0482.pdf
3.
Sunset Western Garden Book
4.
The Internet
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
http://gardening.wsu.edu/
http://depts.washington.edu/hortlib/resources/resources.php
http://www.seattletilth.org/hotline
http://www.seattle.gov/util/Services/Yard/Natural_Lawn_&_Garden_Care
http://www.purdue.edu/dp/envirosoft/lawn/src/main2.htm
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/Lawn
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawn
–
–
http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/turf/topics/lawns.htm
http://www.ciscoe.com/lawns/lawnout.pdf
5.
Class Notes
•
http://www.austingwatson.com/mg/
Class Dismissed