Here’s a tip.

How to care for your turf

419 Bermuda

Fertilization during drought conditions

Do not apply excess nitrogen and create excess top growth in the turfgrass plants during the spring months. Creating excess top growth will affect the plants ability to develop a deep, extensive root system necessary for survival later during the summer months.

If water use is restricted, DO NOT FERTILIZE.

Take a soil sample and have it tested. Potassium is a key nutrient in stress tolerance for turfgrass plants, including drought tolerance. If soil potassium levels are low, then apply a fertilizer in the spring that has both nitrogen and potassium in the fertilizer.

Tahoma 31 Bermuda

Bermuda is especially drought resistant, recovers from damage and wear especially quickly, and doesn’t require extensive maintenance that other grass types require in the area.

Zeon Zoysia

Should You Fertilize?

To maintain a healthy appearance during the hottest months of summer, Zeon Zoysia needs about 1 to 1 1/4 inches of water a week. On sandy soils it often requires more frequent watering, for example, 1/2 inch of water every third day. A light green-grey color and narrowing of leaves indicate that it is time to water. Proper irrigation may reduce pest problems in the summer. NOTE: Always water during the early to late morning hours and never at night. Watering at night may cause fungal development

419 Bermuda

Mowing height

Slightly raising the mowing height will help reduce some stress on the turfgrass plants and reduce the amount of water loss due to evaporation. However, raising the mowing height doesn’t mean the turfgrass plants will use less water as some people believe. In fact, the increased height means the turfgrass will actually use more water due to the increased exposed leaf surface where water is released back into the atmosphere.

Tahoma 31 Bermuda

Tahoma sod has a beautiful texture and deep green color. Whether you are mowing at an inch or down to 1/8th, Tahoma is sure to impress even the most seasoned superintendent or homeowner.

Zeon Zoysia

You will not need to mow nearly as often because zoysia doesn’t grow tall quickly. A healthy zoysia lawn should be mowed to a height of 1 1/2″ to 3″. A golden rule when mowing any turf is “never cut more than 1/3 of the leaf height.” If prolonged rain or other factors prevent frequent mowing and clippings are too plentiful to leave on the lawn, they can be collected and used as mulch.

419 Bermuda

Fertilization during drought conditions

Do not apply excess nitrogen and create excess top growth in the turfgrass plants during the spring months. Creating excess top growth will affect the plants ability to develop a deep, extensive root system necessary for survival later during the summer months.

Tahoma 31 Bermuda

Tahoma has shown in the NTEP trials to be exceptionally cold hearty and resistant to winterkill, greening up nicely right next to other bermuda cultivars that have been killed completely due to the same weather.

It is important to consider this possible cost of replacement when deciding which cultivar to select for your golf course or sports field. While Tahoma may be a few cents a square foot more than common varieties, this pales in comparison to having to replace sod time after time due to winterkill.

Zeon Zoysia

Apply a granular pre-emergence herbicide such as Team 2G in early to mid February to prevent the emergence of spring weeds such as crabgrass. Late spring, summer and applications of pre-emergence herbicides are also recommended, and as stated above can be applied in combination with a fertilizer containing a weed preventer.

 To kill weeds that have emerged post-emergence herbicides can be applied. Apply post-emergence herbicides only when weeds are present and make sure to wait until three weeks after the lawn is green. Be sure the product is labeled for use on Zoysia grass and always be careful to follow mixing and application instructions on product labels. Spot treating is recommended.