STEPS IN ESTABLISHMENT OF TURF GRASS

INCLUDES DIFFERENT METHODS OF ESTABLISHMENT,SEED RATE..

1. TURF GRASS ESTABLISHMENT K.MANIRAJ I – msc .,floriculture and landscape architecture

2. TURF Turf  is the term used by horticulturists referring to  grass  that is mowed and maintained with the same uses as a  lawn .

3. SEEDING SODDING STOLONIZATION SPRIGGING PLUGGING

4. SEEDING Seeds are sown based on the type of the grass Warm Season Grasses-Spring Cool season Grasses –Later summer or early fall.

5. SEED RATE 25-30 Kg/ha 13 Kg/ac 2.5 g/ sq.m

6. METHODS OF SOWING HAND MECHANICAL HYDROSEEDING

7. Manual sowing

8. S lit seeder

9. HYDROSEEDING This method is preferable in large area. Hydraulic equipment is used to disperse thick suspension of slurry along with seeds.

10. ADVANTAGES Quick establishment Rapid sprouting Used in hillsides and slopes

11. SODDING SOD –grass covered ground.

12. SODDING It is an expensive method. Transfer of established turf from one place to another. Sod is used where quick turf establishment is needed. Both the area and the sod should have similar soil type for an successful establishment.

13. DO’S & DON’T’S If the soil is hot and dry, lightly moisten it just before the sod is laid. Rolling should be done lightly to eliminate the air pockets that may form during placement . Should watered immediately after it is laid or rolled. Avoid over watering . Avoid traffic of people for a couple of weeks until the underlying soil become firm.

14. STOLONIZATION Process of spreading stolon's on the soil surface .

15. SPRIGGING SPRIGS-a small stem with leaves

16. SPRIGGING It is the modification of stolonizing that involves placing the stolons in narrow furrows spaced 15-20 cm apart. The sprigs should be dibbed to ½ to 1/3 rd of their height. It is an another effective method to establish stoloniferous grasses. It takes more time for establishment but requires only less plant material . 150-225 cubic centimeters of stolons are required for 100 sq.m .

17. PLUGGING Small pieces of sod that can be planted at regular intervals.

18. PLUGGING Plugs are formed by cutting sod strips or by removing plugs of turf from an intact sod. In this method the base soil area is uncovered and the plugs are allowed to spread. St.Augistine & Zoysia grass are used.

19. STRIP SODDING Modification of plugging. Sod is laid in long rows spacing 15-25 cm and the base are filed in by spreading stolons and rhizomes. Often Zoysia is used. More plant material needs but less time to establish.

20. TURF PLASTERING SLURRY Garden soil Fresh cow dung Water Bits of chopped fresh roots and stems or rhizomes of grass are added to this slurry. Then it is plastered on the prepared ground. The paste is covered with dry soil. Not suitable for dry climatic conditions.

21. INTRESING FACTS ABOUT LAWN There are 50 million lawn mowers in U.S.A. About 65% of all water used in America households goes to watering lawns. According to Environmental Protection Agency ,5% of all polluting exhaust in urban areas is from lawn mowers. Lawn absorbs water six times more effectively than a wheat field. Recent study found that about 65,000 people are hospitalized per year with lawn mowing related injuries.

22. Most popular lawn ornament is the Pink Flammingo .

23. The first Lawn Care book : The Art Of Beautifying Suburban Home Grounds,1870.

24. LAWN MOWER MUSEUM British Lawnmower Museum 106-114 Shakespeare Street Southport Merseyside PR8 5AJ Great Britain