Sod Maintenance

Established Lawn Maintenance Date Application March High Calcium Lime – 80 lbs. Per 1000 sq ft Turf Fertilizer (Sample 15-15-15) April Thatch if necessary. Ammonium Sulfate fertilizer May Crabgrass preventative June Spray 24D weed killer for broad leaf weeds July Beware of fungus (Browning). If fungus is detected spray every 7-14 days with a fungicide. August Beware of fungus (Browning). If fungus is detected spray every 7-14 days with a fungicide. September Ammonium Sulfate fertilizer Crabgrass preventative October Turf fertilizer for extended winter green (Sample 20-20-20) Note: Fertilizer should be applied to grass that is weak in color and slow in growth. Fertilizer is typically sold with three groups of numbers, for example 20-5-10. These groups represent the strength of the following nutrients in a specific order: Nitrogen – Phosphorous – Potash

PURPLE HAZE New sod is place on open bare soil; there is nothing attaching it to the earth. When watering new sod, you only need to water long enough to saturate the sod pad. Soaking the ground to the point that it becomes mushy serves no purpose. Sod can be very easily read by its appearance in color and leaf blade size to determine its need for water. Dry sod will tend to turn dark blue or purple and the leaf blade will fold in half. These changes are symptoms of "Purple Haze¨. Purple haze is the first sign of dry or distress sod. Immediate, frequent watering will heal the sod from its stress at this time. Watering is only necessary until the sod pad is saturated. Once this is done, your watering task is complete until the sod dries out again. To accurately identify purple haze, look at the sod with your face to the sun. If the blades appear dark blue or purple, and watered immediately, the grass will usually recover quickly. If the sod is not watered in the purple haze state it will then turn light gray in color. The gray stage is your final chance to water before your sod turns brown. If the sod is not watered and turns brown ¡V IT IS NOT DEAD, if watered within 6 - 24 hours. The time variation is determined by the time of year, direct sunlight and heat index. Normal, frequent watering will grow new grass blades in two to three weeks, with the proper care. Laying Your Sod Sod should be planted on bare, clean, topsoil, not over old vegetation. Rake the soil so that it is level and free of any roots. If clay is present, limestone should be spread on the soil before planting. Apply limestone at a rate of 80 pounds per thousand square feet. We, as Sod Producers do not recommend an application of fertilizer below the sod, but prefer to fertilize after the roots are established from the transplant. If fertilizer is applied to the soil before installation of the sod, we suggest tilling the fertilizer into the soil to prevent tip root tip damage. Place the strips of sod in rows, staggering the ends like brickwork. Use a heavy knife or hand ax to cut or trim the pieces. Watering is the most important factor in planting sod. It must be watered heavily until the roots are established and it can draw from the earth's ground moisture. Water each section as it is laid for optimal care, rather then waiting until the entire installation is completed. Sun, clouds, temperature, humidity, and wind all play a part in the frequency of your watering schedule. The sod pad should be kept moist, but not drenched. Over watering your new sod will not encourage the roots to penetrate to soil. Fertilizer can be applied when the air temperature is under 80„a. Sod can be mowed in approximately two weeks after installation. The mower should be set high for the first cutting, and then lowered to the desired height gradually with each mowing. HOME LAWNS HELP THE ENVIROMENT Mowing, watering, fertilizing, edging, spraying... A home lawn requires a lot of time and attention, but take heart; it also serves you well and improves your environment. The next time you're mowing on a hot sunny day, thinking that green concrete may really be the answer, consider all the ways your lawn returns your favor and care. The front lawns of a clock consisting of eight average houses have the cooling effect of approximately seventy tons of air-conditioning. Consider how much energy those lawns save! On a hot summer day, grass can be ten degrees cooler then exposed soil and as much as thirty degrees cooler then concrete or asphalt. A well maintained home lawn could create enough oxygen to meet the needs of a family of four every day. Acting like a gigantic sponge, lawns absorb all types of airborne pollutants such as soot, dust, and carbon dioxide, as will as noise. While a quality turf grass reduces runoff water, it also prevents erosion by water or wind and the loss of valuable topsoil. While some may scorn its needs, others find lawn maintenance an excellent opportunity to enjoy exercise and diversion. An average 2,500 square foot lawn contains approximately nine million separate grass blades. While your lawn is busily performing all of these functions, you may not have noticed it's very quiet, and requires no downloads.