TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT the overgrown lawn — removing much more than the ideal one-third of the height — and , in most cases , it ’ s just fine . Likewise , one overapplication of a fertilizer might overstimulate growth , but doing it one time probably won ’ t cause long-lasting problems . However …
Principle 8 : Constant or regular treatments result in an accumulation of effects . If you keep mowing down turf when it ’ s very overgrown , the plant density will decrease and root growth and overall health will be significantly impacted . Likewise , if you continually overapply nitrogen fertilizer , the turf will become very susceptible to disease , have very shallow roots , and generally more succulent , stress-susceptible plants . In turf we tend to focus on problems but instead …
Mowing tall grass . Photo by Paul Harris
it may impact the availability of air and other nutrients in the rootzone , reducing turf growth and competitiveness . But this principle can be a tool we use because …
Principle 6 : When things are not going right , identify which factor or condition is furthest from the optimum and correct that first . When solving a problem , it ’ s usually best to adjust one factor or practice at a time rather than a host of changes . If you look at your entire management program and realize that the fertilization may be too much , reducing that input may bring other factors closer to the optimum . Doing so may reduce stress from drought that is limiting . It may decrease disease pressure caused by excessive growth . Slightly raising mowing height may increase tolerance to heat and drought ( that is , if the height can be increased ). In turf we may not be able to alter everything , but knowing those we can alter will give us more tools to work with . This principle also provides a good lesson of going too far with a practice , because …
Principle 7 : One-shot treatments often do not accumulate , but briefly move things off center . The tendency is to return to the original condition . Thank goodness you can be away from your home for a few weeks and when you get home you can mow down
Principle 9 : If things are working well , dont fix them . This is what Dr . White often said , and in general it may be true ; but I add to this the need to keep asking questions — especially with the goal of sustainability . Unfortunately , turfgrasses are very tolerant of overwatering , for example . Is the management adequate but still excessive ? Can you get the same or acceptable results with less inputs ? Less is usually better when it comes to the overall health of the turf .
All of these principles encourage curiosity in managing turfgrasses and the other plant communities we care for — curiosity in what the grasses need , what we expect of them , and what they provide for us . We need more of that curiosity to understand what is actually happening and to better appreciate the amazing plant communities we trample on every day . SFM
Paul Johnson , Ph . D ., is a professor and department head in the Department of Plants , Soils and Climate at Utah State University . His professional life has been devoted to researching and teaching about turfgrass . Johnson studied turfgrass management at Iowa State University and later worked as an assistant superintendent in Omaha , Nebraska . He studied plant breeding and horticulture at the University of Minnesota for his doctorate degree , then joined the buffalograss breeding project at the University of Nebraska as a post-doctoral associate before going to Utah State University in 1998 .
The author would like to acknowledge Donald White , Ph . D ., for teaching him the “ Ecological Principles of Turfgrass Management .”
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