LAWN CARE

TURFGRASS SELECTION

Many lawn problems result from seeding grasses incapable of providing a satisfactory lawn. Because a lawn is seeded with the expectation that it will be permanent, it is important to select a grass adapted to the area and to the level of intended management. The cheapest seed is likely to be the most expensive and least satisfactory over the years, but buying expensive seed does not guarantee good results.

A seeding of Kentucky bluegrass gives the highest quality lawn in full sun in Ohio. There are several good shade tolerant Kentucky bluegrass varieties (Table 1). Fine fescue has good shade tolerance and is commonly mixed with shade-tolerant bluegrass in shaded turf areas.

Several new turf-type perennial ryegrass varieties are available. Pennfine, Birdie, Derby, Yorktown and Manhattan are varieties that may be used where ryegrass is needed. They will not, however, provide the quality lawn that Kentucky bluegrass will. Perennial ryegrass may be seeded with Kentucky bluegrass to provide more rapid establishment. The ryegrass should not make up more than 10 to 15 Percent of the lawn mixture for best results.

Bentgrass makes an ideal lawn with correct management. However, the required maintenance is so expensive and time consuming that bentgrass is not recommended for home lawns. With average management, bentgrass is not attractive and is considered a weed in a bluegrass lawn. It should never be included as part of a seed mixture.

Tall fescue has been used traditionally as a low management grass in areas where its coarseness is not objectionable. However, Kentucky 31 tall fescue usually does not remain as a pure stand and is likely to become bunchy in appearance after several years, especially if fertilized liberally. Several new turf-type tall fescue varieties are available: Falcon, Houndog, Clemfine, Olympic and Rebel. These are darker green and have a finer leaf blade than Kentucky 31 tall fescue. This makes them much more desirable as a lawn grass.

Annual ryegrass and redtop are sometimes found in lawn mixtures. They become established rapidly, provide a quick green color and help control erosion. However, common annual ryegrass and redtop may stay in the mixture for several years and detract from the appearance of the lawn. They should not be used unless a quick cover is absolutely necessary, followed by tillage and established to desirable perennial grasses.

No matter which grass is seeded, it is important to use clean, weed-free seed with a high percent germination. By law, all seed sold in Ohio must be labeled correctly. The label provides specific information on the seed in the package, and it should be studied because there are variations in quality of seed. Ohio law allows Kentucky bluegrass seed to contain some seeds of annual bluegrass (Poa annua) and bentgrass, both of which can be serious weeds. It is possible to obtain seed free of these unwanted grasses if the buyer is persistent and willing to pay a premium price.

Table 1 gives information concerning grasses and mixtures, their potential quality and their management requirements. Grasses that make the best lawns need the most care and should not be planted unless proper management is intended.

Table 1: Selected Lawn Grasses

Amount of	Seed per

Grass of Mixture	Potential	Sun or	Care and	1,000

Percent by Weight	Quality of	Shade	Cost of	square

Lawn	Upkeep	feet

Improved varieties of	100	excellent	sun	above average	1-2 lb.

Kentucky bluegrass

Kentucky bluegrass	40-50 good	shade	average	2-3 lb.

Fine fescue*	50-60

Fine fescue	100	fair	shade	below average	3-5 lb.

Tall fescue**	100	fair-good	sun	below average	5-6 lb.

*Fine fescue alone or in mixtures with Kentucky bluegrass may also be used for low maintenance lawns in sunny areas.

**Use Kentucky 31 tall fescue only where coarse grass is not objectionable. The new turf-type tall fescues are recommended for home lawns.

Many varieties of Kentucky bluegrass are available. The varieties fall into

two basic groups. The first includes varieties that are susceptible to Helminthosporium disease, which causes both leafspot and melting out. Varieties that are seriously affected by this disease are Park, Kenblue and Delta. Helminthosporium is usually more prevalent on heavily-fertilized turf that is closely mowed. This group of Kentucky bluegrass varieties is presently recommended for home lawns only where a low management is intended. Fair performance can be expected if not over fertilized, particularly in the spring, and if mowed at a height of 2 to 2 1/2 inches.

The second group of Kentucky bluegrass varieties includes most of the newer or improved varieties (Table 2), all of which have some degree of resistance to Helminthosporium disease. These varieties perform best under medium to high management and are recommended for lawns in which a medium to high quality turf is desired and medium to high management will be provided. A blend of bluegrass varieties is always recommended over a single variety for lawns in Ohio. A combination of two

to four varieties is suggested.

Table 2: Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties

A-34*	Cheri	Midnight

Adelphi	Columbia	Mystic

America	Eclipse*	parade

Baron	Georgetown	Shasta

Birka*	Geronimo	Touchdown

Bonnieblue	Glade*	yicta

Bristol*	Majestic

* varieties that exhibit good shade tolerance.

Prepared by:

John R.Street

Extension Agronomist

The Ohio State University

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