Tifgreen Maintenance


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Tifgreen - Maintenance Information

WATERING NEW SOD-
Water sod lightly after each 200 square feet are installed, to prevent wilting. After all the sod is down and rolled, turn on your sprinklers and let them run until the sod is good and soaked. To keep it that way, for the first week water until runoff begins once every few hours at 7 am, 11 am and 2 pm. During the second week water twice a day at 7 am and 2 pm. During the third week water all sod once a day at 7 am. Eventually taper back to once every two or three days. Adjust according to weather and season - water more frequently during warm or windy weather. Do not water new sod between 4 pm and 4 am.

WATERING ESTABLISHED SOD-
After your lawn has become established (approximately 6 to 8 weeks), water according to the following guidelines:

As infrequently as possible (once or twice a week in the cooler months, three or more times per week in the warmer months).
For as long as possible to get deep soil penetration (up to 30 minutes). It may be necessary to cycle irrigate if runoff occurs after just a short time water until runoff occurs, then stop and wait for the water to penetrate (usually 1 to 2 hours), then repeat.
As early as possible - first thing in the morning. Do not water between 4 pm and 4 am.
Do not water areas in the shade as frequently as the areas of your lawn that receive full sun.

In addition, be sure to watch for a blue-grey tint and limp areas of your lawn. This is not a fungus. It is caused by dehydration and is an indication that immediate watering is needed. This will usually occur on tops of mounds, or areas where sprinkler coverage is not adequate. (It is acceptable to water in full sun, it will not burn the blades.)

MOWING-
Mow Tifgreen weekly during the warm season. A seven or more blade front throw reel type mower will give best results. Rotary mowers will not do a satisfactory job on hybrid bermudas. Adjust your mower to between 1/4 and 1/2 inch cutting height. This low-cut will give a putting green appearance and slow that thatch build-up. Always remove the clippings. For an optimal appearance, mow twice weekly during the summer months.

FERTILIZING-
Fertilize every month during the warm season. Make the first application in the spring when your lawn begins to recover from dormancy. During the warm growing season (March-Nov.) the amount of clippings generated when mowing will be a "tip-off" to your lawn's fertilizer needs. If you find there are less clippings than previous mowings, your lawn has slowed its growth and fertilizer is probably necessary. Use Marathon All Season Fertilizer. Follow label directions using the higher rates recommended for Marathon.

INSECTS & DISEASES-
Tifgreen is highly resistant to insects and diseases. Generally water and fertilizer will help Tifgreen outgrow any pests.

DORMANCY-
Tifgreen will slow its growth as the average temperature cools. When the first frost occurs your lawn will turn brown until the following Spring During dormancy, water, fertilizer, and mowing will not be necessary. It has become quite popular to spray dormant bermuda with green turf dye. If done carefully, the result can be very natural looking. Consult your nurseryman for product recommendations.

SEED HEADS-
Occasionally yellowing areas will appear in your lawn. Careful inspection will reveal that these are seed heads. They are very common in the Spring, but also occur at other times of the year when stress occurs. With additional water and fertilizer your lawn should outgrow them.

DETHATCHING-
Generally Tifgreen will require renovating every one or two years. When excess thatch has built up (approx. 1 inch), use a vertical mower to thin and dethatch your lawn. This should be done in the Spring. After renovating, remove the cuttings (stolons) and fertilize and water. Your lawn will recover within a few weeks.


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