Turf Varieties

Centipede

This low-maintenance turf grass is very popular, has a natural medium- to dark-green color, and adapts well to poor soil. It's aggressive enough to crowd out weeds and needs less mowing than most grasses. It grows well in full sun, is very tolerant to high temperatures and high humidity, and more shade-tolerant than common Bermuda grass. Centipede is well suited to acid soils. Because it uses nutrients well, it should not be over fertilized. Centipede can be established by seed, plugs, sprigs, or sod. The method used is up to each individual and how quickly they want a complete lawn. Naturally sodding is the most expensive but offers an almost instant lawn. If you have some time and patience seeding will work if proper steps are taken in the preparation of the area. The best time to seed is the period from April through July. Using about 4 ounces per 1000 square feet will give you a decent lawn the following spring. Follow directions exactly on the package. The seed can be rather expensive, but if done properly will be successful. Centipede is a low maintenance turf grass and does not respond well to excessive use of fertilizer, especially nitrogen. Centipede should not be fertilized as much as St. Augustine sod therefore you will never maintain that rich dark green color. Check the PH of your soil as anything over 6.5 will tend to cause yellowing as well as an iron deficiency. Watering of centipede is simple. Water as needed. The turf grass does not require an excessive amount of water to survive. Water plenty and not as often. It will tolerate some drought conditions better than most grasses. Overall centipede is the prefered grass in the deep south because of the ease it can be started and grown. It will provide you with a great lawn with little care.

APPLICATIONS:

• Performs well in a wide range of applications, including in soils with poor fertility and in full sun installations.
• Color: Rich medium to dark green.
• Texture: Moderately course blade structure.
• Mowing Height: 1 to 2 inches.
• Frequency: 1 to 2 times per week. Mowing too high or not often enough can encourage thatch development and other problems. Mow frequently enough that only 1/3rd of the blade height is removed.
• Watering: Newly planted turf should be watered daily and soaked thoroughly to a depth of 3 inches for the first 10 to 14 days to avoid dry out Thereafter as needed to the full depth of the root zone to prevent visual wilt.
• N Fertilization: 0.1 to 0.3 pounds per 1,000 sq. ft. per growing month; although it will grow well with little fertilization. Soils: Tolerates a relatively wide range of soil types, but is best suited to well drained, fertile soils.
• pH Tolerance: Range: 5 to 6. Tolerance to saline soils is quite good.
• Wear Tolerance: Good recuperative qualities and fairly wear resistant due to its spongy resilience and relatively course blade structure. Not recommended for high traffic areas.
• Shade Tolerance: Outstanding. Greater than bluegrass, dichondra, and common Bermuda grasses.

St. Augustine

CLASSIC ™ ST. AUGUSTINE - a Woerner Turf Exclusive Robust, attractive, low-growing warm-season turf grasses that establish rapidly, and thrive in temperatures to 105 degrees. Ideal for residential, commercial, and industrial landscapes. Originally propagated in south Baldwin County, Alabama, Classic St. Agustine has proven to be more heat and disease tolerant than other St. Augustine varieties. Classic St. Augustine is presently being tested at the University of Florida turf grass experiemental station in Jay, Florida. Classic is an exclusive product of Woerner Turf/Gulf Kist Sod. BITTER BLUE ST. AUGUSTINE has a deeper, more bluish color than other St. Augustine grasses. FLORATAM ST. AUGUSTINE is the most resistant to SAD virus of all the St. Augustine grasses.

APPLICATIONS:

• Performs beautifully in a broad range of settings and applications.
• Color: Medium to dark green.
• Texture: Dense, moderately course blade structure.
• Mowing Height: 3 to 4 inches.
• Frequency: 1 to 2 times per week.
• Watering: Newly planted sod should be watered daily and soaked thoroughly to a depth of 3 inches for the first 10 to 14 days to avoid dry out. Thereafter as needed to the full depth of the root zone to prevent visual wilt.
• N Fertilization: 0.4 to 0.8 pounds of actual N per 1,000 sq. ft. per growing month.
• Soils: Tolerates a relatively wide range of soil types; is best suited to well drained, fertile soils.
• pH Tolerance: Range: 5.8 to 8.5. Soils with pH of 6.7 to 7.5 are preferred Good tolerance to saline soils.
• Wear Tolerance: Good recuperative qualities and fairly wear resistant due to its spongy resilience and course blade structure. Not recommended for high traffic areas.
• Shade Tolerance: Good to Excellent. Greater than Bluegrass, Dichondra, and both common and hybrid Bermudagrasses.
• Heat Tolerance: Excellent.
• Cold Tolerance: As much as 50% greater than common St. Augustine.

Maintenance Schedule for St. Augustine:Appropriate Maintenance during the months of May -September is very crucial for St. Augustine. The following specifications should be followed closely to insure a problem-free lawn: (1) Spray St. Augustine with "Dachniel" three days after sod installation, then again two weeks later; then every 14-21 days thereafter until the end of September. Use the mixing ratio listed on the label. (2) During the hot dry spells between May and September, St Augustine is susceptible to chinch bugs. Chinch bug damage results in a yellowing circle in the sod; as the damage worsens the circle becomes larger. To control the chinch bugs check with the local County Extension Service; different areas of the country will have varying methods of treatment. With careful maintenance you should enjoy a problem free lawn. Also, be sure to water on a regular basis in the EARLY MORNING HOURS , preferably 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Never water St. Augustine sod in the evening hours or after dark.

Emerald Zoysia

Emerald Zoysia is a cultivar of Zoysia grass with a thin bladed leaf that forms a very lush lawn. It shares the drought and shade resistance of the other varieties of Zoysia grasses. This grass has as fine, soft texture and can be left unmowed as it only grows to a height of 6–12 inches (15–30 cm). When left unmowed, it forms a humpy convoluted surface which is sometimes used in oriental landscapes. Emerald Zoysia is a very slow growing lawn grass. Zoysia grasses are generally slower growing than Bermuda and St. Augustine, with Emerald Zoysia being one of the slowest growing Zoysia grasses. The grass exhibits a dense creeping growth, rather than an aggressive upward, or sprawling growth. The blade density is much higher than other grasses, giving a very dense, carpet-like, or "hedgehog" appearance. Due to the density of the grass, excess thatch can accumulate and should be removed every several weeks. Mowing can be performed every 7-10 days, with no more than 1/3 of the blade cut at one time. Recommended mowing height of this grass is between .75 and 2 inches (1.9 and 5.1 cm). Mowing the grass shorter than this height can produce a weaker less attractive product, whereas mowing the grass higher than this height will promote a less-dense, wispy appearance. The use of reel mowers is suggested since common rotary lawn mowers will tear the fine-blade grass and leave a grey/white tip instead of a clean cut. Emerald Zoysia has an adverse reaction to excessive fertilization, requiring no more than two light distributions per year. 8-8-8 or 13-13-13 fertilizer is recommended. If over fertilized, it will turn yellow and could die. Since regrowth of this grass is slow, it's best to err on the light side of fertilization than to over fertilize.

• Texture: Fine
• Shade Tolerence: Good
• Soil Preference: Clay/Loam
• Fertilization: Moderate
• Mowing: 7 to 10 days

Tall Fescue

Fescue is a cool season grass grown mostly in the northern parts of the United States. Fescue performs beautifully through warm summers and is especially well suited to relatively cool, moist growing conditions in 'transition zone' areas where neither cool- nor warm-season grasses perform well.

• Color: Rich, medium to dark blue-green
• Texture: Medium-fine blades, with high grass plant density for luxurious sod formation; superior weed resistance
• Mowing Height: 1.5 to 2.5 inches
• Mowing Frequency: 1 to 2 times per week. Slower growth habit can mean reduced mowing requirements
• Watering: Newly planted sod should be watered daily and soaked thoroughly to a depth of 3 inches for the first 10 to 14 days to avoid dry out. Thereafter as needed to prevent visual wilt
• N Fertilization: 0.1 to 0.5 pound of actual N per 1,000 sq. ft. per growing month. Needs less Phosphorous [PI and Potassium [K]
• Soils: Grows well in heavy clay to sandy soils. Above average tolerance to acidic, alkaline, saline, or poorly drained soils
• pH Tolerance: Wide Range: 4.7 to 8.5
• Wear Tolerance: One of the most wear tolerant of the 'transition zone' turf grasses. Recovers quickly from occasional abuse better than most grasses
• Shade Tolerance: Thrives in sunny locations, yet tolerates up to 80% shade at 2.5 inch mowing height.

Floratam St Augustine

Watering needs: Moderate to high, thrives on wet sites. Apply .5 to 1 inch of water as a deep soaking every 3 to 6 days to encourage a deep , healthy root system during dry or hot periods. Avoid frequent, shallow watering that results in shallow roots, permitting weed germination and growth. Mowing and Thatching: Optimum mowing height is 2-3 inches for a high quality lawn, mow too low and weeds are likely to gain a foothold. Mow frequently with a sharp rotary or reel mower, allowing clippings from frequent mowings to remain on the lawn. Soil and Fertilization: Desirable pH range of 6.0 - 6.9. Grows on a wide range of soils but prefers neutral to alkaline soils. Fertilize twice a year, spring and fall, with a complete fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium. Disease, Weed, and Insect Control: A well-maintained turf will provide the best weed control. Most fungal diseases of St. Augustine grass can be controlled with fungicides.

Description and Characteristics:

• Does well in moderate to full sunlight
• Use in residential, commercial, and industrial landscapes
• Has a wider blade than Classic

Applications:

• Color: Medium to dark green
• Texture: Very dense. Substantial root structure
• Mowing Height: Can be mowed between 2 to 4 inches
• Mowing Frequency: Can be mowed between 5 to 7 days
• Watering Frequency: Can withstand shorter watering applications after grass has been established
• N Fertilization: 0.4 to 0.8 pounds of actual N per 1,000 sqft per growing month
• Soil: Native of the Gulf Coast Region. Tolerates a realatively wide range of soil types
• PH Tolerance: 5.0 to 8.5 are preferred. Good tolerance to saline soils
• Wear Tolerance: Good recuperation qualities and fairly wear resistant.

Hybrid Bluegrass

Kentucky bluegrass is the most beautiful and hardy of the cool-season lawngrasses. Rich blue-green color makes this premium turf one of the most popular for both residential and commercial lawns. Also widely used for athletic fields and parks with high wear areas.

• Color: Medium to dark blue-green
• Texture: Medium-fine blades, with high grass plant density and excellent leaf uniformity; superior weed resistance
• Mowing Height: As low as 0.5" in direct sun; 2.5 inches in shade
• Frequency: 1 to 2 times per week.
• Watering: Newly planted turf should be watered daily and soaked thoroughly to a depth of 3 inches for the first 10 to 14 days to avoid dry out. Thereafter as needed to prevent visual wilt
• N Fertilization: 0.4 to 0.8 pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000 sq. ft. per growing month. Soils- Performs best in moist, well drained, fertile, medium-textured soils.
• pH Tolerance: 5.5 to 8.8, with 6.0 to 7.0 preferred
• Wear Tolerance: Vigorous rhizome development for excellent recuperative ability
• Shade Tolerance: Performs best in full sun, yet tolerates up to 65% shade at 2.5 inch mowing height
• Heat Tolerance: Maintains good color and appearance in hot weather when properly watered and cared for
• Cold Tolerance: Thrives in cool weather and withstands temperatures of zero or below

Meyer Zoysia

A natural hybrid selected and released by Dr. Ian Forbes and associates at the Department of Agriculture's Beltsville, Md., Experiment Station, Meyer (Z-52, Amozoy) zoysia was the first really superior Zoysia grass. Medium in texture, it has good color, good disease resistance, excellent cold tolerance and as Zoysias go, is fairly readily established vegetatively by plugs or sod. Meyer seems to be preferred by mole crickets, a non fatal nuisance, and by the Bill bug, a hard to kill soil insect that can be fatal. Meyer is easier to mow than Emerald, but makes more upright growth and requires somewhat more frequent mowing. Meyer Zoysia's growing range extends from USDA hardiness zones 6 through 11.

• Texture: Fine
• Shade Tolerence: Good
• Soil Preference: Clay/Loam
• Fertilization: Moderate
• Mowing: 7 to 10 days

Agrentine Bahia

Argentine Bahia is a Bahia "selection" of Bahiagrass that originated from the country of Argentina in South America. The variety was developed by University initially for its forage production qualities. This vareity is also sometimes referred to as "Argentina" Bahia. Argentine has wide broad leaves with a good darker green color, making it more suitable for Lawns in Florida and other Coastal Southern states. It's susceptibility to cold, results in winter kill of stands planted North of approximately Tifton, Georgia. It is used extensively for lawns, because of its attractive look and the fact that it produces less "objectionable" seed heads than other Bahias. Best for use in full sun areas. Argentine & Shade - Argentine Bahia has minimal shade tolerance. Best choice for shade in warm season lawns is a St. Augustine Grass - Bahiagrass will slowly thin out under the drip line of shady trees and will generally not survive long term as the shade tolerance is limited. Argentine tends to have slightly higher shade tolerance than Pensacola. In general it should be used for full sun areas.

Bermuda - TIFWAY (Tifway 419)

Tifway is a hybrid bermudagrass cross of Cynodon dactylon x C. transvaalensis germplasma. It is characterized as having a dark green color with medium fine textured leaves. Tifway hybrid bermudagrass is dense with a medium to low growth habit. This variety is a vigorous grower and thus establishes quickly at planting.

• USES: Golf course fairways and tees, athletic fields and landscapes.
• CHARACTERISTICS: Temperature Range of Adaptation - Tifway grows best in warm climates within 45 degrees latitude to the equator. Temperatures in excess of 100 degrees F. (38 degrees C.) are readily tolerated by healthy Tifway. May become dormant after repeated winter frosts but recovers quickly when temperatures warm.
• WATER QUALITY TOLERANCE: On a suitably drained profile Tifway can tolerate soil concentration of 2500 ppm total salts. It is well adapted to "brown" water sources and is commonly used in municipal and food industry effluent land application systems.
• DROUGHT TOLERANCE: Tifway will survive droughts with minimal water availability. One to two inches (25 to 50 mm) of actual available water weekly to the plant will provide an acceptable turf surface. Tifway will survive at 1/2 inch (12 mm) irrigation per week, dependent on soil physics.
• TRAFFIC/WEAR TOLERANCE: Tifway provides the best recuperative rates of all warm season turf grasses. A vigorous regenerator.
• WEED TOLERANCE: Tifway's dense growth, when properly maintained, efficiently competes with the presence of many turf weeds. Tifway easily tolerates broadcast application of selective herbicides.
• INSECT PEST TOLERANCE: With the exception of certain leaf feeding insects, Tifway demonstrates tolerance or quick recovery from damage after pest control treatments.
• SOIL FERTILITY RANGE: Tifway grows best when soil pH is between 5.5 to 7.0. Soil levels of 100 pounds/acre (112 kg/hectare) of phosphorous and 150 to 200 pounds/acre to 224 kg/hectare) potassium will provide sufficient plant growth. Nitrogen applied at 1 pound/1000 sq. ft. per month will provide a healthy plant when combined with the recommended phosphorous and potassium.
• ESTABLISHMENT: Tifway is a sterile (no viable seed) Triploid plant species and is successfully propagated as sprigs (rhizomes, stolons and Stems) or as sod.

ULTIMATEFLORA ™ ZOYSIA

HISTORY
UltimateFlora Zoysia is a brand new release developed by the University of Florida. Research shows that it has a darker leaf color, fewer seed heads and faster growth rate than other Zoysia grass varieties. Research also shows that it is both drought tolerant and shade tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS

• lush, luxurious look and feel of a northern type "barefoot" lawn grass
• can easily replace St. Augustine in residential lawns
• deep, beautiful green color
• shade tolerant for hard-to-landscape areas
• fairly salt tolerant for less than ideal irrigation
• fairly drought tolerant for areas where irrigation volume is an issue
• can survive on as little as a half inch of water for irrigation per week
• high traffic tolerance, easy to maintain
• CAN BE MOWED WITH A HIGH-SPEED ROTARY or reel mower