WIS483 TURF MANAGEMENT 02/26/1990 09:25 AM D1 530 Lines Agriculture Resources Management Turf Management (10-20 days) This unit deals with various aspects of turf management. Topics include career opportunities, seeding and grass species suitability, establishing lawns, cultural requirements. and maintenance care of lawns comprising weed, disease, and insect control measures. Objectives To acquaint students with employment information and career opportunities in the turf management industry To create student awareness of the nature and importance of the turf management industry To increase student understanding of the morphology of grass plants and seeds To enable students to distinguish between the various turf species and provide information on their application To develop student understanding of methods used to select and sow turf grass To provide students with information on soils, fertilization, and liming in relation to turf grass management To increase student comprehension of procedures used to establish and maintain lawns To familiarize students with the diagnosis and treatment of weed, insect, and disease problems in lawns Competencies At the conclusion of this unit, students will be able to explain current employment information such as job descriptions, job availability, personal and educational requirements, working conditions, opportunity for advancement, and other factors relative to potential employment in the turf management industry and relate it to their personal needs and aspirations; explain the difference between turf and lawn; identify the different turf grass species and list where they are planted; explain the factors that determine the suitability of a grass species such as soil condition, shading, and rainfall; identify the major parts of a grass seed and turf plant; explain information on grass seed package labels; give recommendations for turf grass mixes for different areas at correct seeding rates; explain complete and incomplete fertilizers and calculate the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium for different fertilizers; list the sources of commercial lime and calculate how much would be required per 1,000 square feet to change the pH to the desired level; list the steps that should be taken when establishing a lawn by seed verses sod, and the cost of each method per 1,000 square feet; explain how to establish turf areas by vegetative means other than sod; determine the fertilization rate for different turf areas and grass species; explain the factors that will determine how much water an area will need and calculate the amount required; identify the major turf weeds noting life cycles, reproduction methods, and control measures that are common in the area; identify the major turf disease in the area and recommend control measures; identify the major turf insects in the area and recommend control measures; and demonstrate in the field the proper calibration and/or operation of turf maintenance equipment. Subject Matter (Basic skills integration areas are shown in brackets following title.) Careers - Current and future employment needs - Job descriptions - Training requirements - Working conditions - Opportunities for advancement - Other factors Introduction to turf - Define turf - Define lawn - Development of the turf industry - Importance of turf grass management Parts of the grass plant [Science] - Roots - Stems - Stolons - Rhizomes - Leaves - Crown - Tiller - Ligule - Auricle - Sheath - Inflorescence - Node Turf grass species - Northern species Kentucky bluegrass Red fescue Chewing fescue Tall fescue Colonial bent grass Creeping bent grass Annual ryegrass Perennial ryegrass Merion bluegrass - Southern species Bermuda grass Zoysia Centipede grass Bahia grass Buffalo grass Carpet grass Factors that determine suitability of turf grass species [Science] - Light - Climate - Water - Temperature The grass seed - Seed coat - Endosperm - Embryo Grass seed labels - Species, variety, strain - Purity - Weed seeds - Noxious weed seeds - Inert matter - Crop - Germination - Seed treatment Turf grass mixtures - Lawns Shady Sun - Heavy-duty areas - Sloping areas - Temporary use Seeding rates [Mathematics] - Mix - Species Soils [Science] - Texture - Structure - Aeration - Organic matter Fertilizers [Science] - Forms of nitrogen Synthetic inorganic Synthetic organic Natural organic - Sources of phosphorus Rock phosphate Bone meal - Sources of potassium Potash Potassium chloride - Micronutrients - Secondary nutrients Types of fertilizers - Complete - Incomplete Lime [Mathematics, Science] - Soil pH - Forms of lime Gypsum Dolomite Calcite - Rate and application Steps in establishing a lawn by seeding - Rough grading - Drainage - Improving or adding soil - Seedbed cleaning - Liming and fertilizing - Final grade - Starter fertilizer - Seeding - Mulching - Watering - First mowing Steps in establishing a lawn by sodding - Rough grade - Drainage - Improving or adding soil - Seedbed cleaning - Liming and fertilization - Final grade - Sodding - Watering - First mowing Establishing lawns by other vegetative means - Plugging - Stolonization - Sprigging Maintenance fertilization [Mathematics] - Rates Soil test Turf species Fertilizer companies' suggested rate - Time of application Spring Summer Fall - Spreaders Drop Cyclone Watering lawns [Mathematics] - Amount of water needed Turf grass species Climate Time of year Soil - Irrigation systems Permanent systems Portable - Time of watering Mowing - Height of mowing - Frequency of mowing - Clippings - Mowers Rotary Reel Sickle bar - Chemical mowing Renovation of lawns - Dethatching - Aerifing - Overseeding - Topdressing - Vertical cutting - Colorants Lawn weeds [Science] - Definition of a weed - Reproduction Sexual Asexual - Life cycles Annuals Biennials Perennials - Commom weed species Barnyardgrass Annual bluegrass Crabgrass Tall fescue Foxtail Quackgrass Goosegrass Bindweed Chickweed Blackseed plantain Dandelion Dock Henbit Purslane Knot weed Other Lawn weed control [Science] - Mechanical - Proper turf management - Herbicides Contact Systemic Preemergent Postemergent - Physical forms of fertilizers Liquid Granular Wax bars Powder (WP) Lawn diseases [Science] - Causing organisms - Infectious and noninfectious - Control Good cultural practices Fungicides - Types Brown patch Dollar spot Blights Snow molds Powdery mildew Other Lawn Insects [Science] - Types Leaf feeders Root feeders - Control Good cultural practices Insecticides - Types Grubs Chinch bugs Billbugs Wireworms Cutworms Armyworms Other Motivational Activities Take field trips to turf plots, athletic fields, golf courses, and sod farms. View films, videotapes, and slides on careers in turf management, turf areas, golf courses, and weeds and diseases affecting turf. Invite resource speakers, such as a grounds keeper or landscape architect, to give class presentations. Post bulletin board displays featuring topics related to this unit. Learning Activities Participate in a Supervised Agricultural Experience program. Prepare a list of occupations in the turf management industry using an index of job titles. Participate in a mock job interview for a position in turf management. Dissect a grass plant and, using a stereoscope or hand lens, identify the major parts of the plant. Collect wedges of sod from several locations in a lawn and identify the different grass species. Determine the components on a grass seed label. Calibrate a spreader for different grass seed mixes. Calculate how much of a modifier, such as topsoil or lime, the soil needs to meet desired requirements. Compare brands of fertilizers and determine the weight of each element for each brand. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of different forms of fertilizer. Establish lawn areas around the school by using seeding and sodding methods. Calculate the cost of seeding and sodding an area. Establish lawn areas around the school by using seeding an sodding methods. Take part in a plugging, sprigging, and stolonization exercise. Calibrate a cyclone and drop spreader for different types of fertilizers. Set up a sprinkling system and calculate the amount of water it uses in an hour. Become familiar with the operation of several pieces of lawn establishment and maintenance equipment. Collect, identify, and display various lawn insects. Set up demonstration plots to compare different types of herbicides. Develop recommendations for improving poor turf areas. Instructional Materials Textbooks and References All About Lawns by Michael MacCaskey. rev. ed. San Francisco: Ortho Books, 1985. Common Weeds of the United States. New York: Dover Publications, 1971. Lawn, Garden, and Power Equipment, Owner's Manual. Overland Park, KS: Intertec Publishing. n.d. Lawns by Jonas Vengris. 3rd ed. Fresno, CA: Thomson Publications, 1982. Lawns and Ground Covers by Michael MacCaskey. Tucson, AZ: HP Books, n.d. Lawns and Ground Covers. Menlo Park, CA: Sunset Books/Lane Publishing, 1979. Turf Management Handbook by Howard B. Sprague. 3rd ed. Danville, IL: Interstate, 1982. Turf Grass Management by Al. Turgeon. rev. ed. Reston, VA: Reston Publishing, 1980. Turfgrass Science and Management by Robert D. Emmons. Albany, NY: Delmar, 1984. Weeds of the U.S. and Their Control by Harri J. Lorenzi. New York: AVI Publishing, 1987. Bulletins and Pamphlets The following are available from the Cooperative Extension Service. Care and Sharpening of Lawn and Garden Tools. A2683. Lawn Fertilization. A2303. Lawn Insects: How to Control Them. AG53. Powdery Mildew of Ornamentals. A2404. Turf Insect Pest Control Guide. A2934. Periodicals American Lawn Applicator Southern Golf - Landscape & Resort Management (formerly Landscape and Turf) Computer Software The following is available from Midwest Agribusiness Services, Inc. Agri-Quiz: Turf and Ground Covers. Apple, IBM. The following is available from Photocom. Turf and Ground Covers. Apple, IBM. Laboratory Resources The following are available from Pace Productions, Inc. Sharpening a Rotary Mower Blade Sharpening and Adjusting Grass Shears The following is available from the Pennsylvania Instructional Materials Service. Turf Grass Maintenance and Establishment. 1968. Films, Videotapes, and Slides The following are available from the Pennsylvania Instructional Materials Service. Exploring Turfgrass Occupations. (30 color slides). Weed Identification. (37 color slides). The following are available from Photocom. Complete Turf Management Series. 41-110 (Three color filmstrips with three cassettes). How to Control Pests and Diseases in the Landscape - Turfgrass. 52-200-3 (Videotape). Lawns: Planting and Care. 40-202 (Videotape). The following are available from Vocational Agriculture Services. Lawn Weeds - Identification and Control. F650 (39-frame filmstrip with study guide). Seed Structure and Identification of Cool Season Turfgrasses. S653 (61 slides with study guide). Steps to a Better Lawn. F651a (85-frame filmstrip with study guide). The following are available from the Ohio Agricultural Education Curriculum Materials Service. How to Care for Your Lawn. 247X (VHS videotape, color, 53 minutes). Lawn Renovation and Reestablishment. 2058S (61 color slides and script). rev. 1988. Turf Disease of the Midwest. 2034S (76 color slides with script). 1986. The following is available from Vocational Education Productions. Lawn and Ground Covers. 1-204-1314 (Filmstrip with cassette and script). The following is available from Vocational Media Associates. Turfgrass Management. 30796-93 (Filmstrip with program guide).