ducted to identify insects on the 

 site prior to seeding. Alan Eaton, 

 UNH Cooperative Extension IPM 

 Specialist, has identified a high 

 population ot aphids, leathoppers, 

 parasitic wasps, and spiders and a 

 moderate population of plant bugs, 

 flies, ladybugs and thrips. Specific 

 species of thrips will scxin be 

 identified. 



It appears from the test results 

 that the fine-leaf fescues are the 

 species we would like to encourage. 

 In particular, the hard fescues. For 

 years fine-leaf fescues have been 

 regarded as turfgrasses which have 

 low-maintenance requirements. 

 They have been used tor decades m 

 New Hampshire in many non- 

 showcase areas and have persisted 

 when everything else has diedl 

 They can commonly be found m 

 home lawns, parks, roadsides and 

 other sites which receive little 

 fertilizer, irrigation or other main- 

 tenance. While there are different 

 species of the fine fescues, here are 

 some of their basic characteristics 

 and maintenance requirements. 

 Characteristics 



Cool-season grass, deep green color, 

 finest grass blade of any lawn grass 

 — upright growth habit creates a 

 pleasing uniformity. 

 Recommended Usage: Well-adapted 

 to shade and dry soil. Considered a 

 survivor in many low maintenance 

 areas. 



Temperature Tolerance: Good — 

 tolerates hot and cold weather 

 well — can be used in areas that 

 are subject to widest temperature 

 fluctuations. 



Drought Tolerance: Very good 



drought tolerance for a cool-season 



grass — can go dormant in summer if 



irrigation is withheld yet will green 



up again when rains return. 



Shade Tolerance: GocxJ — most 



shade tolerant oi all grasses. Best 



cool season grass for dry, shady 



areas. 



Wear Resistance : Moderate — grass 



blades are non-succulent and hardy. 



Does not recover well from severe 



injury. 



Water Needs . Low — can tolerate 



16 THE PlaNTSMAN 



dry periods in the summer well. 

 Mowing and Thatching: Fine fescues 

 generally possess a slow growth 

 habit, in some ot the newer dwarf 

 varieties, mowing can be reduced 

 by 50% compared to the older, 

 more vigorous varieties. Fine fescue 

 can be left unmowed for a "meadow 

 look." 



Soil and Fertilizer Needs: Tolerates 

 acid soil well, growing within a soil 

 acidity range of pH 5.0 to 6.5 — has 

 the lowest fertilizer requirements of 

 anv cool-season grass. To hasten es- 

 tablishment rates, fertilization at 

 time of seeding is recommended. 



Disease & Insect Control 



Most varieties have good resistance 

 to many turfgrass diseases and in- 

 sects, making the need for pesti- 

 cides minimal. 



Establishment Rate: Average. This is 

 a potential weakness unless weed 

 control is provided the first year 

 following seeding. Especially true 

 with the newer dwarf varieties 

 which are less aggressive and tend 

 to be slower in their establishment 

 rates. 



To get these and other turf-grasses 

 off to a good start, here are some 

 suggestions: 

 Soil Preparation 



Proper soil preparation plays a vital 

 role in establishment. The area 

 should be thoroughly cultivated to 

 a depth of 6 inches. This is espe- 

 cially important on compact soils as 

 turfgrasses will not develop success- 

 fully otherwise. Remove any large 

 stones. 



Liming; When soil tests indicate a 

 need, agricultural limestone (cal- 

 cium carbonate or dolomitic lime) 

 should be thoroughly mixed into 

 the upper 6 inches. 

 Fertilization: Incorporate a 'starter 

 type' fertilizer (such as 10-20-10 at 

 10 pounds/ 1,000 sq. ft.) or equiva- 

 lent into the upper inch prior to 

 seeding. Complete the final grade 

 by raking or lightly harrowing the 

 surface. 



Seeding 



Apply seed at 2 to 4 pounds per 



1,000 sq. ft. uniformly over the 

 ground. Good results have been 

 obtained using a ratio of 80% fine 

 leaf fescue and 20% perennial 

 ryegrass. Suggested varieties of the 

 fine-leaf fescues are. Reliant, SR 

 3000, Valda, and Longfellow. 

 Suggested perennial ryegrass vari- 

 eties include SR 4200, Elka and 

 Regal. Lightly rake the seed into 

 the upper 1/ 4 inch. Roll and apply 

 mulch if applicable (especially on 

 hillsides where erosion is a serious 

 threat). 



Post- Seeding Practises 

 Weed Control: Weeds are often the 

 most troublesome pests in new 

 seedings the first year. Broadleaf 

 weeds like dandelions germinate 

 throughout the growing season. On 

 small areas, physical removal by a 

 knife or spade-type tool is possible. 

 However, on larger areas where this 

 removal is not practical, the use of 

 a herbicide is suggested. Once the 

 grasses are established and have 

 formed a dense sod, the invasion of 

 weeds will be eliminated. 

 Crabgrass is often a problem in 

 seedings made from spring to mid- 

 summer. Pre-emergent herbicides 

 are on the market to prevent this 

 weed from germinating in seedings 

 made during this period. However, 

 the best means of avoiding this 

 weed is to seed in late summer/early 

 fall. 



Watering: If possible, lightly irrigate 

 to keep the soil surface moist for 14 

 days following seeding. Once estab- 

 lished the fine fescues can tolerate 

 droughty conditions. Thus, the 

 need for watering is eliminated. 

 Mulches: Mulching using hay or 

 straw is a practice designed 

 primarily to conserve soil moisture 

 and reduce erosion on slopping 

 land. On level areas and where the 

 capability for frequent irrigation 

 exists, mulching is not necessary. 

 If straw or hay is used, be certain it 

 is weed-free. Otherwise, the seeded 

 area will likely become a weed 

 patch 1 



For further informaaon 

 contact either John Roberts at (603) 

 862-3202 or David Seavey at 

 (603)796-2151.'^ 



