Color, drought tolerance, disease and insect resistance are just a few of the many factors to consider when selecting turfgrass. Decide which features are important to you, then speak with a turf specialist to select the best options for your unique situation.

Turfgrass for Delaware:

Cool season: Kentucky Blue Grass, Tall Fescue, Fine Fescue Shaded areas)

Warm season: Zoysia

Soil Quality

Healthy soils resist disease and have better nutrients and water-holding capacity.

The lawn of a newly constructed home may lack topsoil or compacted soils, which can lead to several issues. Adding compost to these lawns can increase the soil quality and long-term viability of plants and turfgrass.

If you're experiencing issues, a soil test may be recommended.

For more information, visit www.delawarelivablelawns.org.

Growth Cycles

Cool-season grasses need strong spring roots to survive summer, and warm-season grasses need strong summer roots to survive winter.

Water Requirements

Water is a natural resource that must be conserved. Your irrigation may not need to run as often as you think. Deep, infrequent watering promotes healthy root structure.

Check for signs of drought stress in your lawn and the weather forecast; adjust your irrigation as needed. Use a rain gauge to determine if your lawn has received adequate moisture naturally.

Mowing

Taller grass has deeper roots, is able to withstand stress and retains soil moisture.

Follow the 1/3 rule, remove the top third of the blade at any single mowing. For 3" grass, mow when 4.5" tall.

Mowing is a form of stress.
Keep blades sharp to reduce stress
Mulch clippings for healthy soil
Mowing height depends of the time of year and type of turf.

Aeration

Your lawn needs to breathe. Steel spike or core aerators create holes, which improve drainage and increase available oxygen. Aeration can alleviate compaction and enhance your lawn. Tip: Never aerate a dormant lawn.

Thatch is a build-up of organic matter between soil and turfgrass. A thin layer of thatch, less than 1/2" thick, is beneficial since it can act as a natural mulch. Thatch over 1/2" thick can inhibit water and nutrients from reaching roots.

Mulched clippings do not cause thatch, but actually benefit your lawn and soil.

Fertilizer

DO NOT over-fertilize your lawn. A soil test will determine your lawn's specific needs. The numbers on the fertilizer bag refer to the amount of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium, N-P-K. Read and apply fertilizer according to the package directions, and always calibrate your spreader. Excess fertilizer can harm your lawn and nearby waterways.

Tip: Apply fertilizer in the fall to give roots a boost over winter. Always consider using slow-release fertilizers.

Disease Triangle

You can control one part of the disease triangle, the favorable environ-ment. Overwatering provides a favorable environment which can lead to disease if a pathogen and susceptible hosts are present. Blends of turf grasses can reduce fungal outbreaks.

Drought Stress

Your lawn will tell you when it needs water but you should also keep an eye on the forecast. Conserve water by waiting to run irrigation until your lawn is showing signs of drought stress, including:

Footprinting
Leaf rolling, folding or wilting
Discoloration (blue-gray/silver)

Irrigation Tips

Be part of the solution and take control of your irrigation system. Adjust your irrigation system as needed. Don't set it and forget it! Overwatering drowns roots and prevents oxygen from reaching the soil, making the plant susceptible to disease. Overwatering impacts nearby waterways, increasing runoff or nonpoint source pollution.

Repair leaky valves and test your irrigation system for proper coverage to be sure water is not running down the driveway, sidewalk or road.

Use smart controllers and moisture meters to adjust the watering frequency automatically. Winterize your system to prevent pipes from bursting.

Run irrigation in the morning instead of at night; evening watering can make turf susceptible to disease by prolonged periods of leaf wetness.

Questions:

Contact John Emerson, Jr. Turfgrass Nutrient Management Planning Extension Agent

jremer@udel.edu

References

www.sussexconservation.org

UD Cooperative Extension

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In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, Cooperative Extension is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.