Turfgrass and Lawn Care

Maintaining good-quality turfgrass requires careful planning and proper knowledge of lawn care and management. Find comprehensive resources and tips on selecting turfgrass varieties, establishing new lawns, and renovating lawns and athletic fields. Learn the best pest management practices, herbicide and pesticide uses, and turfgrass fertilizer applications.

Lawn Care and Maintenance

When establishing a new grass lawn, it’s vital to remember that the first 4 to 8 weeks after seeding or sodding are determinant for its survival. Many new stands will also require additional fertilizer and herbicide applications. As the establishment matures, follow-up care should include regular turfgrass mowing, aeration, and irrigation.

Note that improper maintenance practices – along with factors such as drought, acid soils, and infestations – can result in poor turf. Turf deterioration problems can often be corrected by improved care practices, careful turfgrass species selection, and lawn renovation.

Penn State Extension provides numerous educational resources on establishing and maintaining lawns. Topics covered include selecting turfgrass seeds or seed mixtures, employing appropriate lawn management practices through the seasons, and establishing the basis for a fertilization program.

Homeowners can further benefit from the Turf Grass Workshop. This free workshop provides information on turf maintenance, weed control, and grass lawn aeration.

Professional Turfgrass Management

Nearly every lawn, athletic field, golf course, or institutional ground harbors pests such as weeds, insects, and diseases. To help keep pest damage under control, it is recommended to develop a solid pest management plan.

An integrated pest management (IPM) system, for example, is an increasingly popular way of making efficient use of pesticides while minimizing the impact on the environment. IPM typically involves establishing pest response threshold levels. These levels vary per site and are based on the intended use of the turf and the user’s needs. Other grass lawn IPM practices include field monitoring, consideration of various pest control strategies, and excellent record keeping.

Another important aspect to consider when managing turfgrass is fertilizer applications. Adequate fertilization practices are crucial for improving and maintaining turf. Successful fertilization produces a dense, medium to dark-green turf that is resistant to pests and other environmental stresses. Discover more with Penn State Extension’s guides to turfgrass fertilization for professionals and late fall fertilizer applications for athletic fields.

Resources for Landscapers and Turfgrass Professionals

For successful turfgrass and lawn management, you can access Penn State Extension’s educational resources on establishing and maintaining turf. Information on irrigation water quality, as well as turfgrass conditions on athletic fields and prevention of injuries is available.

Additionally, find a number of Penn State lawn care courses, including landscaping training for employees, pesticide update sessions for licensed applicators, and landscaping field day events for professional landscape managers.