TALL FESCUE

WATER NEEDS:
Moderate - apply 1/2 to 1" of water as a deep soaking every 3 to 7 days to encourage a deep, healthy root system during dry or hot periods. Avoid frequent, shallow watering, that results in shallow roots, permitting weed germination and growth.

MOWING AND THATCHING:
Optimum mowing height of 3 to 4" for a high quality lawn. Mow regularly with a sharp rotary or reel mower, allowing clippings from frequent mowing to remain on the lawn. Never remove more than 1/3 of the grass blade at any one mowing. Tall fescue forms very little thatch.

SOIL & FERTILIZER NEEDS:
Adapts to a wide range of soil conditions. Has a rather deep extensive root system for a cool-season grass that makes excellent use of soil moisture and mineral nutrients. Good tolerance to saline soil conditions. Fertilize twice a year spring and fall with a complete fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphate and potassium. Apply Nitrogen at 2 to 4 lbs. per 1,000 sq.ft. per year. Will respond well to high nitrogen applications to achieve a higher quality turf. Water thoroughly after fertilization.

DISEASE, WEED, & INSECT CONTROL:
Varieties are available that are resistant to net blotch, brown patch and crown rust. For weeds, chemical controls are most effective during fall and spring.

KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS

WATER NEEDS:
Moderate - apply 1/2 to 1" of water as a deep soaking every 5 to 7 days to encourage a deep healthy root system during dry or hot periods. Avoid frequent, shallow watering that results in shallow roots, permitting weed germination and growth.

MOWING & THATCHING:
Optimum mowing height 2 1/2 - 3 1/2" for a high quality lawn. Mow regularly with a sharp rotary or reel mower, allowing clippings from frequent mowing to remain on the lawn. Never remove more than 1/3 of the grass blade at any one mowing. Kentucky Bluegrass may develop some thatch at higher nitrogen levels. Prime time to dethatch is in early fall.

SOIL & FERTILIZER NEEDS:
Performs best in fertile, non-acid reacting soil with good drainage. Fertilize twice a year, spring and fall, with a complete fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphate and potassium. Apply 2.5 to 4 lbs. actual nitrogen per 1,000 sq.ft. per year. For higher requiring nitrogen varieties also apply a fertilizer at .5 to 1 lb. nitrogen per 1,000 sq.ft. every 4-6 weeks. During summer, fertilizer rates should be reduced by 50%. Water thoroughly after fertilization.

DISEASE, WEED, & INSECT CONTROL:
New varieties have improved resistance to diseases such as leafspot, stripe smut, powdery mildew, dollar spot, Typhula blight, summer patch and rusts. If broadleaf weeds need to be controlled with herbicide, the turf should be well established and in vigorous condition. Practically all insects that damage lawns can be controlled biologically or with insecticides.

BERMUDA GRASS

WATER NEEDS:
Low - Apply .5 to 1" of water as a deep soaking every 5-7 days to encourage a deep, healthy root system during dry or hot periods. Avoid frequent, shallow watering that results in shallow roots, permitting weed germination and growth.

MOWING & THATCHING:
Optimum mowing height 1 to 2 1/2" for high quality lawn. Mow hybrid Bermuda grasses at the lower height. Mow regularly with a sharp reel or rotary mower, allowing the clippings from frequent mowing to remain on the lawn. Never remove more than 1/3 of the grass blade at any one mowing. Bermuda grass does develop thatch at higher nitrogen levels and may require vertical cutting. Fertilize and water well after vertical cutting.

SOIL & FERTILIZER NEEDS:
Adapted to a variety of soils. Tolerates alkaline and slightly acidic soils. Has good salt tolerance. Use a complete fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphate, potassium in spring and fall. Apply nitrogen at 2 to 4 lbs. per 1,000 sq.ft. of lawn annually. For quality hybrid Bermuda grass turf, apply 1/2 to 1 lb. of nitrogen fertilizer per 1,000 sq.ft. at monthly intervals during growing season.

DISEASE, WEED, & INSECT CONTROL:
Some varieties have resistance to certain turf diseases such as helminthosporiums and rusts. When maintained properly, dense turf produced by Bermuda grass prevents many weeds from appearing. Should herbicide control be required for grassy or broadleaf weeds, spring applications are best. Insects are more likely to be a problem than diseases. Some varieties are resistant to Bermuda grass mite.

ZOYSIA GRASS

WATER NEEDS:
Low to medium. Apply at least 1" water as a deep soaking every 4-7 days to encourage a deep, healthy root system during dry or hot periods. Avoid frequent, shallow watering that results in shallow roots, permitting weed germination and growth.

MOWING & THATCHING:
Optimum mowing height 1 1/4 to 2 1/2" for a high quality lawn. Slow growth rate reduces mowing frequency. Mow regularly with a sharp rotary or reel mower, allowing clippings from frequent mowing to remain on the lawn. Never remove more than 1/3 of the grass blade at any one mowing. Periodic vertical cutting may be needed to control thatch accumulation if high nitrogen level is applied.

SOIL & FERTILIZER NEEDS:
Tolerates high salinity and infertile soil relatively well. Fertilize twice a year, spring and fall, with a complete fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphate and potassium. May also apply 1 or 2 summer fertilizer applications in climates with a long growing season. Apply nitrogen at 2 to 5 lbs. per 1,000 sq.ft. per year. Water thoroughly after fertilization.

DISEASE, WEED, & INSECT CONTROL:
Some varieties have a good resistance to diseases such as rust and leafspot, and to billbugs. The dense turf produced by zoysia grass prevents most weeds from appearing.

All information is based on average/normal conditions. Individual sites and situations may differ. Therefore, contact Lawn-Tek or your local County Extension Office if more detailed information is needed or you have specific maintenance questions.