RYEGRASS TURF SPECIFICATIONS

CHARACTERISTICS:
Cool-season grass - moderately dark green with good density and fine leaf texture - known for its rapid establishment rate - produces attractive, tough leaves and low growing crowns that create a stable turf - easy to maintain.

RECOMMENDED USAGE:
Prefers regions with mild winters and cool moist summers, however, it is highly adaptable and widely used - compatible in mixes with bluegrass and fine fescue to make a hardier turf - can be used for sport fields and play areas.

TEMPERATURE TOLERANCE:
Good - newer varieties have greater tolerance to cold winters and hot summers - most vigorous when cool and moist.

DROUGHT TOLERANCE:
Good - without water, will go dormant during a short drought, but will recover.

SHADE TOLERANCE:
Moderate - shows tolerance to filtered shade.

WEAR RESISTANCE:
Fair - suitable for moderate recreation and foot traffic areas exhibiting good initial wear recovery, especially in spring and fail, when growth is rapid.

RYEGRASS MAINTENANCE

Taking good care of your lawn often requires no more work overall than taking poor care of it. A lawn that is properly watered, fertilized and mowed has far fewer problems with weeds, diseases and insects. A well kept lawn also remains lush and attractive, giving you much more enjoyment.

WATER NEEDS:
Moderate - twice weekly, deep watering (at least 1 inch per application) is sufficient - during very hot weather, water more frequently - new varieties have good heat tolerance.

MOWING & THATCHING:
Low growth habit - mow with a reel or rotary mower at 1 to 2 1/2 inches - new varieties have good mowing qualities and are more tolerant to close mowing. There is no thatch as grass thickens by tillers instead of stolons or rhizomes.

SOIL & FERTILIZER NEEDS:
Highly adaptable to a wide range of soils, from light and sandy to heavy and clayey. Fertilizer needs are low to medium - fertilize with high nitrogen fertilizer every 4 to 6 weeks in spring and fall, applying between 3 to 6 lbs. of actual nitrogen per 1,000 sq. ft. annually.

DISEASE, WEED & INSECT CONTROL:
Most new varieties of ryegrass have good resistance to diseases and insects, including brown patch, leaf spot, stem and crown rust - used in warm climates in combination with bluegrass, ryegrass reduces the spread of major summer diseases. If there is a weed problem, controls are most effective during spring and fall months - be sure that turf is in vigorous condition prior to herbicide application. Practically all insects that damage lawns can be controlled with insecticides.

All information is based on average/normal conditions; individual sites and situations may differ.

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