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K-State Turf and Landscape Blog

Category: Establishment

FARM to LAWN: Enhancing the Production, Establishment, and Marketability Success of Zoysiagrass Sod

Posted on by Jack Fry

K-State, Texas A&M AgriLife-Dallas, and Purdue University received a grant from the US Dept. of Agriculture (multi-state specialty crops block grant) to focus on production, establishment, and marketing of zoysiagrass sod.  A primary goal of research at Olathe is to evaluate how “farm” practices, including grow-in practices at the sod producer, may influence the performance of sod after it is harvested and laid at a site.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three zoysia cultivars sprigged in June 2021 (photo above left) and appearance of the same plot area in June 2022 (photo above right) at the Olathe Horticulture Center. Grow-in is being influenced by mowing height and nitrogen rate, which could influence thatch accumulation and performance of newly laid sod (to be harvested in spring 2023)

Learn more information about this project here: https://dallas.tamu.edu/research/farm-to-lawn-zoysiagrass-sod-project

And, if you’re a Twitter follower, this may be of interest to you:  @ZOYSIARESEARCH

Herbicide Options at the time of Spring Seeding

Posted on by Jack Fry

The option for spring seeding is approaching.  Cool-season grasses may have been seeded in the winter months, or can be seeded in spring – preferably in March and April in Kansas.  Cool-season seed germination typically starts when the soil temperature reaches 50 F.  Of course, fall seeding is preferred, but we are often dealing with situations where turf quality needs to be improved with spring seeding.  One of the difficult problems is dealing with the emergence of summer annual weeds as the desired turfgrass species you’ve seeded begins to emerge. Here are herbicides that can be applied at the time of seeding to suppress summer annuals:

Tupersan (active ingredient siduron)

Siduron is a preemergence herbicide that can be used on cool-season grasses.  It does provide weed suppression, but don’t expect the same level of weed control that we get with products that are commonly used on fully established turf.  It is approved for used on colonial bentgrass, creeping bentgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue.  To view a Tupersan label, CLICK HERE

Tenacity (active ingredient meotrione)

Mesotrione inhibits photosynthesis in weeds once absorbed by shoots or roots.  It originated based upon biochemicals observed in the plant called bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus).  It suppresses weeds as they absorb the herbicide at time of emergence and can also be used as a postemergence product.  Midwest grasses for which it is labeled include buffalograss, Chewings fescue, creeping red fescue, hard fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall fescue.  To view a Tenacity label, CLICK HERE

A number of other herbicides can be used once turfgrass reaches a point of maturity after seeding.  Find more details about postemergence herbicides that can be used after seeding, and all information about turf weed by getting a copy of the 2022 edition of Turfgrass Weed Control for Professionals

Find more information on weed control by clicking on the tags on the blog (left column), such as “weed control,” “crabgrass,” etc., or search by category on the right side of the page.

***Mention of trade names or commercial products in this article is solely for identification purposes and does not imply recommendation or endorsement, nor is criticism implied of similar products not mentioned by Kansas State University.***

Fall Seeding Tips

Posted on by Jack Fry
  • September is the optimum time to seed cool-season grasses.
  • Use good quality, certified seed; avoid seed with significant levels of “weed” and “other crop.”  More information HERE
  • Use recommended seeding rates with good distribution – more than one direction; seeding at rates too high can cause issues with disease and environmental stress.
  • Seed to soil contact is critical!

  • If renovating an existing stand of turf, mow low to reduce competition with seedlings and help improve seed contact with soil.
  • Aeration, slit seeding, topdressing, or raking to cover seed are methods of enhancing seed-to-soil contact contact. If thatch levels are high, seed-to-soil contact may be difficult to get without thatch reduction first.
  • Aeration brings soil the surface, and is often done in concert with vertical mowing, which breaks up cores and also creates small furrows in which seed can make contact with soil.
  • Slit seeders create furrows in the soil surface and drop the seed into them.
  • Topdressing or raking loose soil in a tilled area covers seed and ensures contact.
  • If the desire is to convert from one species to another, and a reasonable stand of turf exists, it will have to be removed before conversion happens. Removal is typically accomplished with a nonselective herbicide.
  • Managing a high-traffic athletic field? Consider allowing for presence of a “seed bank” through the playing season.  More information HERE
  • Starter fertilizers, that contain nitrogen and phosphorus, help enhance establishment.
  • Light, frequent irrigation is needed the first few weeks after planting, and may be required several times daily, depending upon weather.