Seeding and EstablishmentSeeding and Establishment

GerminationGermination

1.1. The seedThe seed

a.a. sandwiched between lemma and sandwiched between lemma and palea (modified leaves)palea (modified leaves)

b.b. Caryopsis - dried fruit - has seed Caryopsis - dried fruit - has seed coat with coat with aleuronealeurone layer layer

c.c. Endosperm - feeds embryoEndosperm - feeds embryo

d.d. EmbryoEmbryo

Parts of the EmbryoParts of the Embryo Apical meristem and immature leaves - Apical meristem and immature leaves -

develops into shootdevelops into shoot Root primordia plus root cap - develops into Root primordia plus root cap - develops into

seminal rootseminal root Coleoptile - protects emerging shootColeoptile - protects emerging shoot Coleorhiza - protects emerging rootColeorhiza - protects emerging root Scutellum - involved in getting carbohydrates Scutellum - involved in getting carbohydrates

from endosperm, via the enzyme from endosperm, via the enzyme alpha-amylasealpha-amylase

2.2. The Germination ProcessThe Germination Process

a.a. Water is imbibedWater is imbibed

1.1. Seed coat dormancySeed coat dormancy

2.2. IrreversibleIrreversible

b.b. Enzymes activatedEnzymes activated

1.1. Hormones released by Hormones released by scutellumscutellum

2.2. Enzymes needed to Enzymes needed to breakdown starch are located breakdown starch are located in the aleurone layerin the aleurone layer

3.3. CHCH22O’s transported to O’s transported to

embryo by scutellumembryo by scutellum

4.4. The larger the endosperm the The larger the endosperm the healthier the seedhealthier the seed

c.c. Coleorhiza swells and anchors Coleorhiza swells and anchors seedseed

d.d. Primary root (radicle) pushes Primary root (radicle) pushes through coleorhizathrough coleorhiza

1.1. Seminal rootSeminal root

e.e. Coleoptile (sheath) reaches surface Coleoptile (sheath) reaches surface and plumule emergesand plumule emerges

f.f. Mesocotyl elongates in some Mesocotyl elongates in some seedlingsseedlings

1.1. Help protect seed planted Help protect seed planted deep if reserves OKdeep if reserves OK

2.2. Adventitious roots Adventitious roots emerge from crownemerge from crown

3.3. Plant is able to Plant is able to manufacture manufacture own food after own food after emergence of emergence of first leaffirst leaf

3.3. Germination RequirementsGermination Requirements

a.a. Live, non-dormant seedLive, non-dormant seed

1.1. Store in cool, dry placeStore in cool, dry place

2.2. Species differ in germinationSpecies differ in germination

b.b. Adequate moistureAdequate moisture

1.1. Non-reversible processNon-reversible process

2.2. MulchingMulching

3.3. Light, frequent irrigationLight, frequent irrigation

4.4. Pre-germinated seedPre-germinated seed

5.5. Throwing seed on the groundThrowing seed on the ground

c.c. Proper temperatureProper temperature

1.1. Some need alternating Some need alternating temperaturestemperatures

2.2. Prechilling of seed Ex. Ky Prechilling of seed Ex. Ky bluegrassbluegrass

3.3. Warm - 70-95; Cool - 60-85Warm - 70-95; Cool - 60-85

Ex. Species Opt. Soil Temp (Fo)Ex. Species Opt. Soil Temp (Fo)

BentBent 59 - 8659 - 86

Ky-BlueKy-Blue 59 - 7759 - 77

Tall FescueTall Fescue 68 - 8668 - 86

Warm SeasonWarm Season 68 - 9568 - 95

d.d. OxygenOxygen

1.1. Needed for respirationNeeded for respiration

2.2. Water logged soilsWater logged soils

e.e. LightLight

1.1. Not always requiredNot always required

2.2. Crabgrass, goosegrass need Crabgrass, goosegrass need high lighthigh light

3.3. Bury too deep in soilBury too deep in soil

4.4. Causes of FailureCauses of Failure

a.a. Plant too deepPlant too deep

b.b. Crusted soil surfaceCrusted soil surface

1.1. Frequent waterFrequent water

2.2. MulchMulch

3.3. Mechanical breakingMechanical breaking

c.c. Damage by fertilizer or pesticideDamage by fertilizer or pesticide

d.d. DormancyDormancy

e.e. Lack of waterLack of water

5.5. Initial size of young plant directly related Initial size of young plant directly related to seed sizeto seed size

a.a. Amount of CHAmount of CH22O reservesO reserves

6.6. Manage desirable species to out compete Manage desirable species to out compete undesirables (weeds)undesirables (weeds)

a.a. Cut at height to keep light from soil Cut at height to keep light from soil surfacesurface

b.b. Fertilize, etc., to keep stand thickFertilize, etc., to keep stand thick

c.c. Aerate, water, traffic so not to Aerate, water, traffic so not to compact soilcompact soil

d.d. Firm seedbed, proper planting Firm seedbed, proper planting depth, care during early establishmentdepth, care during early establishment

Turf EstablishmentTurf EstablishmentI. I. Turf SelectionTurf Selection

Selection should be based on the following Selection should be based on the following criterion:criterion:– Soil Type Soil Type

– Light conditions Light conditions

– Geographic LocationGeographic Location

– Micro Climates on SiteMicro Climates on Site

– Desired or Expected Maintenance LevelDesired or Expected Maintenance Level

– Knowledge of the many turf species and their Knowledge of the many turf species and their requirements for growthrequirements for growth

II. II. Site PreparationSite Preparation

(1)(1) Soil Samples should be submitted 4-5 Soil Samples should be submitted 4-5 weeks before turf installationweeks before turf installation

(2) Site should be Cleared of all rocks , (2) Site should be Cleared of all rocks , trash and unwanted vegetation .trash and unwanted vegetation .

(3)(3) Preplant weed control may be obtained Preplant weed control may be obtained with nonselective herbicides and soil with nonselective herbicides and soil fumigants .fumigants .

(4)(4) Grading of the site involves two steps Grading of the site involves two steps rough grading and final grading.rough grading and final grading.

(5)(5) Rough grading involves major earth Rough grading involves major earth moving major draining correctionmoving major draining correction

(6)(6) After Rough grading has occurred After Rough grading has occurred major major soil modification should take soil modification should take place and place and may involve the addition of may involve the addition of lime, lime, fertilizers, organic fertilizers, organic amendments and new amendments and new soil.soil.

(7)(7) Once all rough grading has taken Once all rough grading has taken place, place, the installation of drainage lines the installation of drainage lines and and irrigation systems should begin.irrigation systems should begin.

(8)(8) Final grading may be accomplished Final grading may be accomplished by by several methods including: several methods including:

hand hand raking, raking,

drag mats, and drag mats, and cultipacker/landscape cultipacker/landscape

blades .blades .

(9)(9) Before the planting of any grass Before the planting of any grass proper proper starter fertilizer should be starter fertilizer should be applied to applied to the site, and should be the site, and should be based on the based on the soil test .soil test .

III.III. Turfgrass PlantingTurfgrass Planting

The four main types of turf The four main types of turf establishment are:establishment are:

seeding, seeding,

sprigging, sprigging,

plugging plugging

pluggingplugging

After all site preparations have been After all site preparations have been completed establishment may begin.completed establishment may begin.

Seeding.Seeding.– Correct methods of spreading seeds Correct methods of spreading seeds

include: rotary spreader, drop spreader include: rotary spreader, drop spreader hydroseederhydroseeder

– All methods of spreading seed must be All methods of spreading seed must be calibrated so that they will apply the seeds at the calibrated so that they will apply the seeds at the correct rate and uniform in distribution.correct rate and uniform in distribution.

– After seeds are spread they should be After seeds are spread they should be mulched with straw/hay to help maintain soil mulched with straw/hay to help maintain soil moisturemoisture

– Types of Mulches in use today include: straw Types of Mulches in use today include: straw (wheat), pine straw fiber mats/cloths, shredded (wheat), pine straw fiber mats/cloths, shredded newspapernewspaper

SpriggingSprigging(1)(1) What are sprigs? individual plants or What are sprigs? individual plants or

sections of grass plants which contain sections of grass plants which contain several viable nodes, usually stolonsseveral viable nodes, usually stolons

(2)(2) Grasses which may be sprigged are: Grasses which may be sprigged are: bermuda’s, zoysia, St. Augustine, bermuda’s, zoysia, St. Augustine, BentgrassBentgrass

(3)(3) Sprigs may be spread and planted by: Sprigs may be spread and planted by: hand placement (individual), hand placement (individual), Broadcast/mechanicalBroadcast/mechanical

(4)(4) Equipment which may be used to Equipment which may be used to spread sprigs include: hand placement, spread sprigs include: hand placement, sprig planters , hydro seeder.sprig planters , hydro seeder.

(5)(5) To help insure sprig To help insure sprig establishment, establishment, the sprigs should be the sprigs should be rolled/packed to rolled/packed to insure good soil insure good soil contact, manual contact, manual packing, rollers packing, rollers and cultipackers and cultipackers may be used to may be used to pack the sprigs into pack the sprigs into the soil.the soil.

(6)(6) After the sprigs have been planted After the sprigs have been planted the should be watered 3-5 times the should be watered 3-5 times per day for the first 2 weeks after per day for the first 2 weeks after planting.planting.

(7)(7) A light application of mulch (straw) A light application of mulch (straw) may be applied to the sprigs to help may be applied to the sprigs to help maintain adequate soil moisture.maintain adequate soil moisture.

(8)(8) Fertilizing the sprigs will depend on Fertilizing the sprigs will depend on the type of grass and the desired rate the type of grass and the desired rate of establishment. In general you of establishment. In general you should apply balanced fertilizer at should apply balanced fertilizer at

the the time of sprigging and 1/2 lb N/1000 time of sprigging and 1/2 lb N/1000 sq ft very two weeks for a month sq ft very two weeks for a month

after after sprig planting.sprig planting.

PlugsPlugs

(1)(1) What are plugs? small sections What are plugs? small sections of of turf which include roots.turf which include roots.

(2)(2) Grasses which may be plugged Grasses which may be plugged include: All grasses which include: All grasses which

spread spread by stolons and or by stolons and or Rhizomes.Rhizomes.

(3)(3) Sources of plugs are: Sources of plugs are: individually grown plugs, individually grown plugs,

sod cut sod cut up, aeration cores.up, aeration cores.

(4)(4) Plugs may be planted by hand Plugs may be planted by hand and by specialized and by specialized

machine.machine.

(5)(5) The watering schedule for plugs The watering schedule for plugs is is basically the same as for basically the same as for

sprigging.sprigging.

SodSod

(1) (1) What is Sod? What is Sod?

large sections of intact turflarge sections of intact turf

(2)(2) Which grasses may be planted as Which grasses may be planted as sod? all grassessod? all grasses

(3)(3) Sod is planted by laying the sections Sod is planted by laying the sections in a uniform manner without cracks in a uniform manner without cracks between sections to provide a between sections to provide a complete covering of the soil.complete covering of the soil.

(4)(4) After the sod is laid it must be After the sod is laid it must be rolled to insure there is good root to rolled to insure there is good root to soil soil contact.contact.

(5)(5) If after laying the sod cracks If after laying the sod cracks are still present they should be are still present they should be filled with sand/soil to reduce filled with sand/soil to reduce desiccation of the sod edges.desiccation of the sod edges.

(6)(6) In some cases the sod may be In some cases the sod may be topdressed with sand to reduce topdressed with sand to reduce undulations on the turf. This undulations on the turf. This practice of topdressing is mainly practice of topdressing is mainly used in the golf course industry used in the golf course industry

for for newly sodded tees and greens.newly sodded tees and greens.

(7)(7) After installation, sod should be After installation, sod should be watered as follows: lightly 3-5 watered as follows: lightly 3-5

times/day to maintain times/day to maintain adequate soil adequate soil moisture for moisture for minimum of 2 weeks after minimum of 2 weeks after plantingplanting

Post Planting CarePost Planting Care

(1) (1) Mowing: Mowing:

Seeded sitesSeeded sites

Sprigs/PlugsSprigs/Plugs

SodSod

(2)(2) Fertilization: Fertilization:

Seeded sitesSeeded sites

Sprigs/PlugsSprigs/Plugs

SodSod

(3)(3) Pest Management:Pest Management:

Weeds in newly established Weeds in newly established lawns.lawns.

Insects in newly established Insects in newly established lawns.lawns.

Diseases of newly seeded lawns.Diseases of newly seeded lawns.

IV.IV. Lawn RenovationLawn Renovation

1. 1. What is renovation? What is renovation? Establishment Establishment of new or different turf of new or different turf into or on an into or on an existing site without existing site without major soil major soil disturbancedisturbance

(1)(1) There are two types of renovation There are two types of renovation complete and partial.complete and partial.

(2)(2) Partial Renovation involves the Partial Renovation involves the establishment of a new turf in an establishment of a new turf in an existing lawn without killing the existing lawn without killing the existing lawn.existing lawn.

(3)(3) Benefits of partial renovation Benefits of partial renovation include reduced erosion include reduced erosion

and and better control of soil better control of soil moisture by moisture by using the old using the old lawn as a nurse lawn as a nurse grass.grass.

(4)(4) Problems which may result Problems which may result from from partial renovation are lack partial renovation are lack of of control of problem weeds control of problem weeds and and possible competition possible competition from the old from the old turf.turf.

(5)(5) Complete renovation involves Complete renovation involves the the killing/removal of the existing killing/removal of the existing

turf without major soil turf without major soil disturbance.disturbance.

(6)(6) Benefits from complete Benefits from complete renovation renovation are complete control are complete control of problem of problem weeds and weeds and existing turf, which existing turf, which result in result in less competition for the less competition for the new new turf.turf.

(7)(7) Complete renovation sites may Complete renovation sites may suffer from erosion and poor water suffer from erosion and poor water retention due to the removal of all retention due to the removal of all organic matter/vegetative material organic matter/vegetative material from the site.from the site.

(8)(8) The three ways to establish turf The three ways to establish turf during a partial renovation are:during a partial renovation are:

overseeding, slit seeding and overseeding, slit seeding and plugging/sprigging.plugging/sprigging.

(9)(9) The procedure for partial The procedure for partial renovation is:renovation is:

a. a. mow old lawn short and mow old lawn short and remove clippings.remove clippings.

b.b. use selective herbicides or use selective herbicides or spot sprig nonselective spot sprig nonselective herbicides to control herbicides to control problem weedsproblem weeds

c.c. verticut or aerateverticut or aerate

d. d. seed, slit seed, plugseed, slit seed, plug

Slit SeederSlit Seeder

Seed BoxSeed Box

Seed Delivery Seed Delivery

(10)(10) The procedure for complete The procedure for complete renovation is:renovation is:

a. a. use nonselective herbicide use nonselective herbicide to kill lawn and weedsto kill lawn and weeds

b.b. wait recommended time wait recommended time before plantingbefore planting

c. c. mow site low after kill and mow site low after kill and remove clippingsremove clippings

d. d. verticut heavily or aerate verticut heavily or aerate sitesite

e. e. remove debris and or drag remove debris and or drag in coresin cores

f. f. seed, slit seed, plugseed, slit seed, plug

(11)(11) Post planting care for a renovated Post planting care for a renovated site is basically the same as site is basically the same as normal establishment procedures.normal establishment procedures.