Kye AuClaire
ABS 360
Topic 3 – Southwest Turfgrass
Video 1 – Turfgrass Terms
Cool season grasses: Grass species that are biologically active within a temperature of 40
degrees F – 80.
Warm season grasses: Grass species that are biologically active within a temperature
range of 65 – 110 degrees F.
Hybrid of grasses: Offspring from crosses of grass species or strains that have superior
genetically-determined traits.
Sod: Rectangular sections of grass-covered soil (1’’ to 2’’thick) held together by matted
grass roots. Sod is sold in bulk by turf growers for fast installation of a finished lawn.
Sprigs: 3’’ to 6’’ pieces of grass stems or runners without soil that are planted in rows or
broadcast spread and lightly covered with surface mulch to start a lawn.
Plugs: 2’’ to 4’’ wide chunks of sod, either round or square that are spaced evenly over a
surface to start or repair a lawn.
Scalping: Removal of an excessive quantity of grass leaf tissue at any one mowing,
resulting in a stubbly brown appearance due to exposed stems, dead leaves and even bare
soil.
Overseeding: The laying of grass seed on top of existing grasses to promote new growth
or to replace the existing grass with a new strain for a season.
Video 2 – Southwest Turfgrass
The most common use for grasses is a lawn.
Laune (lawn): Celtic word for an enclosed place of worship.
First cultivated by Aristocrats in Europe, also early lawns were used for bowling tracts.
Used for grazing shape.
Frederick Olmstead: Lawns should but long and large.
Lawns became popular in America during the early 20th century, people started to take
pride in caring for their lawn.
There is warm-season grass and cool-season grass.
Warm-season grass: Grow from March to November – with nighttime temperatures above
55 degrees.
Most common type of warm-season grass is called Hybrid Bermuda Grass.
Hybrid Bermuda grass is
oWear resistant
oSterile
oDensely Matted Habit
oFine Texture
oMedium to Dark Green
Warm Season grasses:
oMidiron
oTifway 419
oSanta Ana
oTifSport
oALL ABOVE ARE POLLEN FREE AND CAN WITHSTAND DESERT SOIL
AND CLIMATE CONDITIONS
Midiron is the best for its tolerance around Arizona.
Tifway 419 is the preferred sports grass around here.
During the winter, Bermuda grasses are usually brown.
Cool-season grasses: grow from late October-mid April
oAnnual rye grass and Perennial rye grass
Bright Green
Fine Textured
Frost Tolerant
oAnnual rye grass
Elongated blades
Weak
Intolerant of foot traffic
oPerennial rye grass
Short and stiff
Dense and durable
Dark Green
Perennial rye grass is preferred in winter lawns
Benefits of a lawn
oGather
oRelax
oRecreate
Lawns can create a local microclimate
Turfgrass can cool air by 10-20 degrees
Lawns welcome wildlife like birds
Lawns require regular mowing, fertilizing, and plenty of water.
Mowing frequency: Mow once per week in the cooler part of year, to 2-3 times a week in
the warmer season.
Never remove more than 1/3 of the grass height
Healthy and vigorous turf grass will inhibit weeds.
Summer:
oWater 2-3 times per week
Winter
oWater every 5 days.
Lawns need to be fertilized every 6 weeks during the summer.
Grass clippings are 3% nitrogen
Leave the clippings to decompose
Tip: Natural organic fertilizers release nutrients slowly into the soil (nitrogen and iron)
Overseeding
oEarly October
oNight Temps between 60-70
oScalping: Mow to 1/8-1/4’’ height
oSow Seed: 3-5 pounds per seed of 1000 ft of lawn area
Important to cover over seeded line with organic mulch or birds will ear it
Freshly sown seed will need water 10-20 minutes several times a day. After it is set it
should be gradually reduced.
Tip: After scalping spread the grass clippings to help with the overseeding and nutrients
for the lawn.
Artificial turf can be 140-150 degrees during a hot day.
Video 3 – Arizona Cardinals Field
Play on thick cut sawd – play ready.
Bermuda Tifway 419 used. Dense root zones.
Roots grow laterally, gives great stability.
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