Period 1

Seeding

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LHAP 106 Turfgrass & Ext Softscape Presentation turf

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Slide 1 LHAP 106 TESM: Site Prep & Seeding Slide 2 What are the steps in site preparation for softscape installation? Slide 3 Site Preparation Issuance of Lot Grading Certificate (usually acquired by home builder) Check the Subgrade (Has there been settling? Is there construction debris? Large rocks?) Rough Grading Installation of screened loam over subgrade (15-30 cm minimum for turf) Avoid compaction by: Starting at the home and working toward the gate Leaving an avenue on subgrade for machine access Walking on plywood after completion These first 3 steps may be complete prior to the Landscaper starting on the site Installation of drainage materials & Services Weeping Tile/PVC, Catch basins for permeable pavements, digging water features Irrigation, gas and/or power for fire tables/water features etc. Slide 4 Site Preparation - Turf Prep Decompaction of turf area Avoidance is the best One time tillage Soil conditioners such as “rockhounds” or other mechanized rake Finish Grade Small sites - landscape rakes Large sites - usually not a standalone step (part of decompaction or seeding) Tolerances Vary by site size - smaller sites usually are finished more carefully than larger ones. Seedbeds are the least forgiving (vs sod or mulch) Slide 5 Seeding Traditional seed (alternative is hydroseed) Method of installation Seed Calculation Steps to Establishment Slide 6 Seeding Factors for Success Timing and Seed Roots are most active in soil temps 10-18 C Perennial Rye allows for some earlier seeding Late spring or early summer – better chance of rain, full season of growth Mid-summer – not enough moisture Fall – early winter weather before turf has established can reduce overwintering potential Dormant seeding may give a jumpstart Quality of Seed Select fresh, high quality seed Store it cool and dry Slide 7 Seeding Tools and Site Prep… Slide 8 Many large-scale operations will have a grading & seeding tool integrated into one. Slide 9 Slide 10 Seeding Tools: Broadcast Spreaders: Broadcast the material in a fan shaped pattern Drop Spreaders: Drops the seed straight down CAN be used at any scale - by hand (from a bucket! Or crank style), push style, or machinery attachments. Quality of application is limited by user: Walk at a consistent speed Regardless of slope Keep your eye on the horizon Apply cross directionally Calculate the correct seed / Calibrate! Slide 11 Cross Directional Seeding Slide 12 Seeder Calibration - Demo Seeding Process: Spreaders and Calibration Process Slide 13 Hydroseeding Preferred method of seeding on large, low maintenance sites (vs machinery) and Utility areas due to the additives increasing seedling survival percentages & erosion losses, plus a logistics advantage on slopes Spraying a seed slurry uniformly over an area Essential Ingredients Seed and water Often mulch, fertilizer and a tackifier are added Slide 14 Hydroseeding Mulch Wood fibre mixed into slurry Possibly biodegradable organic matting Tackifier Bonding agent creating a mat-like layer Keeps seed in contact with the mulch material Prevents the entire seed/mulch mat from blowing away Fertilizer high phosphorus compound for rooting Slide 15 Hydroseeding Advantages: Quick Covers large areas Allows access to inaccessible areas (steep banks, uneven terrain) Disadvantages: Expensive (specialized machinery and labour) Poor quality control Slurry has to be correct Slide 16 Seed Calculations Slide 17 Seeding Amount of seed required is determined by the area Regular Site: Rates in kg / 100m2 Large site: Rates in kg per Hectare (kg/Ha) (1 Ha is 10,000 m2) Americans use lbs/acre Slide 18 Seed Calculations Steps for calculating how much seed you need Need to know how many different species and cultivars are in the mix What is the percentage of each in the mix? How large is your area? (kg/100m2) Using of seeding rates: Low number is minimum for a reasonable stand of turf where irrigation is available. Higher number is maximum for assuring a dense stand of turf under less cultural intensity Slide 19 Turfgrass species Kilograms per Number of Seed 100 sq. metre per sq. in. Bentgrass: Creeping 0.2 - 0.5 27 - 55 Bluegrass: Canada 0.5 - 0.7 17 - 26 Kentucky 0.5 - 0.7 15 - 23 Fescue: Chewings 1.6 - 2.0 13 - 17 Meadow 3.2 - 4.0 11 - 14 Red 1.6 - 2.0 13 - 17 Sheep 1.6 - 2.0 13 - 16 Tall 3.2 - 4.0 11 - 14 Ryegrass: Perennial 3.2 - 4.0 11 - 14 Timothy 0.5 - 1.0 8 - 16 Crested Wheatgrass 1.4 - 2.2 7 - 11 Slide 20 Turfgrass species Kilograms per Ha Bluegrass: Canada 50 - 70 Kentucky 50 - 70 Fescue: Chewings, Red, Sheep 160 - 200 Meadow 320 - 400 Tall 320 – 400 Hard 125 – 160 Rough 320 - 400 Timothy 50 - 100 Crested Wheatgrass 140 – 220 Northern Wheatgrass 140 – 220 Alkaligrass 50 – 100 Reed Canarygrass 160 – 200 Junegrass 40 – 60 Blue Grama grass 115 – 175 Green Needlegrass 385 – 480 Redtop 20 - 50 Bromegrass 480 - 600 Slide 21 Seed Calculations “How much Kentucky Bluegrass seed (kg) do you need for a 200 square meter low maintenance (non irr) lawn?” Step One Figure out the correct seeding rate (KB 0.5 - 0.7kg /100m2) Divide the given area in square meters (A) by 100 Area in m2 / 100 Slide 22 Seed Calculations Step Two Multiply A/100 from step 1 by the seeding rate Eg. For an area of 200 m2 and a seeding rate of 0.7 kg per 100 m2 Area / 100 x seed rate (200 /100) x 0.7 kg = 1.4 kg Slide 23 Seed Calculations Example You have a 590 sq. meter yard and a seeding rate of 0.7 kg per 100 sq. m for Kentucky Bluegrass. How much total seed is needed? A / 100 x seeding rate (590 / 100) x 0.7 kg = 4.13 kg of seed required Slide 24 Seed Calculations Polystands If you have more than one species or cultivar in the mix, the rate has to be calculated for each one by multiplying by the percentage in the mix. This must be done for each grass in the mix. (A / 100) x seeding rate x % Slide 25 Seed Calculations Example: You have a 590 sq. meter yard and a seeding rate of : 0.7 kg per 100 sq. m for KB 4 kg per 100 sq. m for PR. The mix is 80% KB and 20% PR. How much total seed is needed? Slide 26 Seed Calculations Example: For each type of seed: (A / 100) x seeding rate x % in the mix KB - (590 / 100) x 0.7 kg x 0.8 = 3.30 kg of seed PR - (590 / 100) x 4 kg x 0.2 = 4.72 kg of seed Slide 27 Seeding Calculations Example: How much seed of the following blend is required for a 590 sq. m yard with a blend of the following (Non irrigated): KB – 30% Touchdown, 25% Banff CRF – 25% Victory, 15% Boreal PR – 5% Blazer Keep cultivars separate if you are purchasing individually and blending your own. If its pre-mixed, you can blend them Slide 28 Seeding Calculations Answer: 590 / 100 x 0.7 x 0.3 = 1.24 kg of Touchdown 590 / 100 x 0.7 x 0.25 = 1.03 kg of Banff 590 / 100 x 2 x 0.25 = 2.95 kg of Victory 590 / 100 x 2 x 0.15 = 1.77 kg of Boreal 590 / 100 x 4 x 0.05 = 1.18 kg of Blazer Total seed = 8.17 Kg Slide 29 Assignment… PRACTICE: IF you want, go to Moodle, in the LHAP 106 Reviews section there is a practice quiz with 10 questions. You can also do the practice questions in the module - they are harder. Answers are in the module. Whether or not you do the Practice questions, your assignment is found in moodle and is due Oct 13 at 8:00 AM, uploaded to Moodle. Handed in late day of: -10%. Handed in late afterwards - 20%/day Handed in after I have marked everyone’s - 0% Bottom line - if you have an emergency and you will be late, TALK to me first to arrange a possible extension! Don’t wait til you’re late! Slide 30 Post Seeding Care Slide 31 Post Seed Care Mulch New plants are sensitive, easily damaged Consider using a mulch Short term protection Must biodegrade or be removed before seedlings are choked out. Should be fine textured, easy to apply (and clean-up), cheap, biodegradable, allowing air flow Straw, Jute or Coir netting Compost topdress Consider fencing to prevent traffic Slide 32 Post Seed Care Watering Most critical aspect of post seeding care Seedlings don’t have an adequate root system Seedlings are prone to environmental conditions Rule of thumb keep top 5 cm of soil moist at all times for the first 4 to 6 weeks As seedlings mature, less frequent, longer waterings are better to promote deeper rooting. Slide 33 Post Seed Care Nutrient Regime As a seedling begins to grow, it requires an increasing amount of nutrient Earliest stages of growth - slow release applied PRIOR to seeding Root development High phosphorus (root promoting) 1:2:0 or 1:3:0 ratio (eg. 16-32-0 or 11-54-0) Slide 34 Post Seed Care Mowing Time: When turf is fairly well established and approaching the highest tolerable mowing height No regular traffic on turf until after the second mowing Allowing a higher height initially will help to enhance rooting, plant can adapt a bit better Slide 35 Slide 36 Post Seed Care Weed Control Should not be sprayed within the first 4 to 6 weeks after emergence First mowing is often the initial form of weed control Turf will become more aggressive (ie more tillers or rhizomes) Will compete with weeds for space, light, water, nutrients Weeds receive a physiological shock which reduces their competitive ability

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Slide 1

LHAP 106 TESM: Site Prep & Seeding

Slide 2

What are the steps in site preparation for softscape installation?

Slide 3

Site Preparation

Issuance of Lot Grading Certificate (usually acquired by home builder)

Check the Subgrade (Has there been settling? Is there construction debris? Large rocks?)

Rough Grading

Installation of screened loam over subgrade (15-30 cm minimum for turf)

Avoid compaction by:

Starting at the home and working toward the gate

Leaving an avenue on subgrade for machine access

Walking on plywood after completion

These first 3 steps may be complete prior to the Landscaper starting on the site

Installation of drainage materials & Services

Weeping Tile/PVC, Catch basins for permeable pavements, digging water features

Irrigation, gas and/or power for fire tables/water features etc.

Slide 4

Site Preparation - Turf Prep

Decompaction of turf area

Avoidance is the best

One time tillage

Soil conditioners such as “rockhounds” or other mechanized rake

Finish Grade

Small sites - landscape rakes

Large sites - usually not a standalone step (part of decompaction or seeding)

Tolerances

Vary by site size - smaller sites usually are finished more carefully than larger ones.

Seedbeds are the least forgiving (vs sod or mulch)

Slide 5

Seeding

Traditional seed (alternative is hydroseed)

Method of installation

Seed Calculation

Steps to Establishment

Slide 6

Seeding Factors for Success

Timing and Seed

Roots are most active in soil temps 10-18 C

Perennial Rye allows for some earlier seeding

Late spring or early summer – better chance of rain, full season of growth

Mid-summer – not enough moisture

Fall – early winter weather before turf has established can reduce overwintering potential

Dormant seeding may give a jumpstart

Quality of Seed

Select fresh, high quality seed

Store it cool and dry

Speaker Notes

Timing - in theory can be done anytime, but turfgrass roots (and microorganisms) most active at soil temps from 10 – 18C... which would be okay for mid-late summer, but that tends to be dry time.
Best done in late spring or early summer - best chances of rain, time for turf to get established,
In fall – seed establishment is lower, early winter weather before grass establishes can reduce overwintering potential, less competition from weeds
The Dormant Seeding Process
Dormant seeding involves putting down seed while the ground is not frozen, yet cold enough so germination of the grass seed will not occur until next spring when the soils begin to warm. In fact, seeds that do germinate late in the season often do not survive the winter because the very young, immature seedlings have a difficult time surviving those harsh conditions. Other than the time of year of dormant seeding, the actual process of preparing the area to be seeded is virtually identical to establishing grass from seed at other times of the year.
Dormant seeding describes the distribution of seeds during a period outside the normal growing season, so that the seeds will be in place and ready to germinate when conditions allow. Ideally, the weather is persistently cold, to prevent premature germination.
Research on dormant seeding practices has revealed the following advantages:
Soils are generally drier & easier to work during winter than in spring, especially native soils (silt clay loams - compaction).
* There is more workforce time now than in spring
* Dormant seeding requires less irrigation than spring or summer seedings. However, seeds will dry out if there is no winter precipitation at all.
* Dormant seeding requires less robust weed and disease control strategies.
* Dormant seed can emerge up to 15 days earlier than conventional spring-seed
Disadvantages of dormant seeding:
* Dormant seeding would most likely not be as successful as an early fall planting.
* A spring warm-up could initiate germination only to be followed by an extreme cold period, which could kill the seedlings.
* Dormant seeding with quick-germination species, such as perennial ryegrass, has a higher risk of cold damage.
* Situations in which dormant seedings fail include areas of soil erosion and the use of dark colored mulches, which raise surface temperatures & promote premature germination.
* Increased seed application rates (30-50%) are recommended because seed mortality rate is higher in dormant seedings.

Slide 7

Seeding Tools and Site Prep…

Speaker Notes

Drop spreader with rollers

Slide 8

Many large-scale operations will have a grading & seeding tool integrated into one.

Speaker Notes

Quality of finish is variable by type - this is not acceptable for sports turf, the edges at least would have to be smooth for lawn. This is likely acceptable for utility.

Slide 9

Speaker Notes

Watch for the first haze of the Nurse Crop @ 7 days…
Remember - seeded lawns are the least forgiving final grade (soil texture) - what it looks like when the grass starts to germinate is what the lawn will look like!

Slide 10

Seeding Tools:

Broadcast Spreaders: Broadcast the material in a fan shaped pattern

Drop Spreaders: Drops the seed straight down

CAN be used at any scale - by hand (from a bucket! Or crank style), push style, or machinery attachments.

Quality of application is limited by user:

Walk at a consistent speed

Regardless of slope

Keep your eye on the horizon

Apply cross directionally

Calculate the correct seed / Calibrate!

Slide 11

Cross Directional Seeding

Speaker Notes

There are a number of different tools, but they should all have the same methodology:
by hand, drop spreader, broadcast spreader, large machinery or hydro...
Divide total qty in half and apply:
North to South, and East to West.

Slide 12

Seeder Calibration - Demo

Seeding Process:

Spreaders and Calibration Process

Speaker Notes

Calibration Lab at end of class.

Slide 13

Hydroseeding

Preferred method of seeding on large, low maintenance sites (vs machinery) and Utility areas due to the additives increasing seedling survival percentages & erosion losses, plus a logistics advantage on slopes

Spraying a seed slurry uniformly over an area

Essential Ingredients

Seed and water

Often mulch, fertilizer and a tackifier are added

Speaker Notes

Who has experience hydroseeding?
Mix seed, fertilizer, tackifier and wood or paper fiber-mulch with water in correct proportions inside a tank
Spray the mixture onto designated lawn areas.
Pro Lawn Hydroseeding recommends using wood mulch, as it is a far superior product because it holds the moisture longer than paper mulch.
SEED: Use the proper rate for the seed. recommend: 10 lbs of seed per 1000 square feet. This will ensure a nice solid lawn. Many applicators may spray only 4 to 6 lbs per 1000 sq. ft.

Slide 14

Hydroseeding

Mulch

Wood fibre mixed into slurry

Possibly biodegradable organic matting

Tackifier

Bonding agent creating a mat-like layer

Keeps seed in contact with the mulch material

Prevents the entire seed/mulch mat from blowing away

Fertilizer

high phosphorus compound for rooting

Speaker Notes

MULCH: WOOD FIBRE MULCH. This is the stuff that is dyed green, with an environmentally safe dye. This helps with the application and gives the lawn area an instant look.
TACKIFER included. This helps with the application and acts like a glue except in very heavy rains.
"We'll use a wide range of tackifiers, such as guar (plant in the pea family)—similar to the guar gum you see used in food—or bonded fiber matrix, which can put tackifiers, seed, and so on all in one package," Weems says. "Even on non-slopes, if there's wind and water erosion, we will use tackifiers."
FERTILIZER: We use a special formula turf starter fertilizer. (High P)

Slide 15

Hydroseeding

Advantages:

Quick

Covers large areas

Allows access to inaccessible areas (steep banks, uneven terrain)

Disadvantages:

Expensive (specialized machinery and labour)

Poor quality control

Slurry has to be correct

Speaker Notes

puts the mulch and fertilizer on at the same time as the seed
(measured in Ha/8 hour day)
Establishment dictated by application - if it’s applied like a cowboy, it will not be uniform.

Slide 16

Seed Calculations

Slide 17

Seeding

Amount of seed required is determined by the area

Regular Site: Rates in kg / 100m2

Large site: Rates in kg per Hectare (kg/Ha)

(1 Ha is 10,000 m2)

Americans use lbs/acre

Speaker Notes

Rates are stated in the weight necessary per 100 m2
Seed size / weight affects the weight necessary
10,000 square meters per hectare
Americans - lbs per thousand square feet OR lbs per acre…

Slide 18

Seed Calculations

Steps for calculating how much seed you need

Need to know how many different species and cultivars are in the mix

What is the percentage of each in the mix?

How large is your area? (kg/100m2)

Using of seeding rates:

Low number is minimum for a reasonable stand of turf where irrigation is available.

Higher number is maximum for assuring a dense stand of turf under less cultural intensity

Speaker Notes

THINK ABOUT Purchasing to make it ‘make sense’... you need to keep KB, CRF, and PR separate - with different seeding rates as per the last few presentations.
You need to keep CULTIVARS separate as well b/c you have to buy them in different bags!
With irrigation, an experienced crew, and high quality workmanship during the process; you might stay with the low end of the range.
With no irrigation, inexperience and/or poor workers might need the higher rate. Or if you want better success and fewer visits to site, or need a dense stand. Pay attention when quoting!

Slide 19

Turfgrass species Kilograms per Number of Seed

100 sq. metre per sq. in.

Bentgrass:

Creeping 0.2 - 0.5 27 - 55

Bluegrass:

Canada 0.5 - 0.7 17 - 26

Kentucky 0.5 - 0.7 15 - 23

Fescue:

Chewings 1.6 - 2.0 13 - 17

Meadow 3.2 - 4.0 11 - 14

Red 1.6 - 2.0 13 - 17

Sheep 1.6 - 2.0 13 - 16

Tall 3.2 - 4.0 11 - 14

Ryegrass:

Perennial 3.2 - 4.0 11 - 14

Timothy 0.5 - 1.0 8 - 16

Crested Wheatgrass 1.4 - 2.2 7 - 11

Speaker Notes

https://www.topcropmanager.com/seeding-rates-examined-886/ - traditional seeding rates are apparently based on the weight in grams of 1000 kernels of the seed. This can change over the years as seed sizes change slightly.
Some calculations base it on the amount of seed required to provide 1 - 1.25 million living seeds per acre (who had to count that, I wonder!!)
This is NOT an exact science. Weight of seeds is wildly variable.

Slide 20

Turfgrass species Kilograms per Ha

Bluegrass:

Canada 50 - 70

Kentucky 50 - 70

Fescue:

Chewings, Red, Sheep 160 - 200

Meadow 320 - 400

Tall 320 – 400

Hard 125 – 160

Rough 320 - 400

Timothy 50 - 100

Crested Wheatgrass 140 – 220

Northern Wheatgrass 140 – 220

Alkaligrass 50 – 100

Reed Canarygrass 160 – 200

Junegrass 40 – 60

Blue Grama grass 115 – 175

Green Needlegrass 385 – 480

Redtop 20 - 50

Bromegrass 480 - 600

Speaker Notes

2.47 acres in a hectare
107,639 square feet in a hectare

Slide 21

Seed Calculations

“How much Kentucky Bluegrass seed (kg) do you need for a 200 square meter low maintenance (non irr) lawn?”

Step One

Figure out the correct seeding rate (KB 0.5 - 0.7kg /100m2)

Divide the given area in square meters (A) by 100

Area in m2 / 100

Speaker Notes

If it is non irrigated, we use the high end to ensure success - 0.7 Kg
You need to find the multiplier because your seeding rate is for ONE HUNDRED square meters.
ie 200 square meter lawn / 100 = 2.0
Now you have a multiplier that you can use to find out how much you need for the total area.
seeding rate x 2.0 = amount needed for entire lawn.

Slide 22

Seed Calculations

Step Two

Multiply A/100 from step 1 by the seeding rate

Eg. For an area of 200 m2 and a seeding rate of 0.7 kg per 100 m2

Area / 100 x seed rate

(200 /100) x 0.7 kg = 1.4 kg

Slide 23

Seed Calculations

Example

You have a 590 sq. meter yard and a seeding rate of 0.7 kg per 100 sq. m for Kentucky Bluegrass. How much total seed is needed?

A / 100 x seeding rate

(590 / 100) x 0.7 kg = 4.13 kg of seed required

Speaker Notes

**make sure the units are the same – square meters, kilograms
Make note of the ‘per 100 square meters, per meter, and then grand total for the given area
5.9 x 0.7 = 4.13

Slide 24

Seed Calculations

Polystands

If you have more than one species or cultivar in the mix, the rate has to be calculated for each one by multiplying by the percentage in the mix. This must be done for each grass in the mix.

(A / 100) x seeding rate x %

Slide 25

Seed Calculations

Example:

You have a 590 sq. meter yard and a seeding rate of :

0.7 kg per 100 sq. m for KB

4 kg per 100 sq. m for PR.

The mix is 80% KB and 20% PR.

How much total seed is needed?

Slide 26

Seed Calculations

Example:

For each type of seed:

(A / 100) x seeding rate x % in the mix

KB - (590 / 100) x 0.7 kg x 0.8 = 3.30 kg of seed

PR - (590 / 100) x 4 kg x 0.2 = 4.72 kg of seed

Speaker Notes

4.13 kg Kentucky Blue for the entire yard. x 80% = 3.304 kg of KB for this mix
23.6 kg perennial Rye for the entire yard. x 20% = 4.72 kg of Perennial Rye.
How much seed mix for the whole yard? - 8.02 kg
This is a custom mixing scenario where you will buy the individual components that you need and mix your own polystand.
Pre-mixed bags have already taken these rates into account… but is it the rate that YOU want to seed at?
You can also custom order seed mixes and tell them the rates you want them at.
You can’t actually really apply a pre-mixed blend at 3 or 4 different rates… ultimately you’ll apply that BLEND at a different rate (the manufacturer will say “this bag is good for 5,000 m2”) This calculation just tells your custom blender proportionately how much of each seed you want.
The take home of this calculation, when working with a mix is just to give you a ballpark of how much seed to put down when a rate is not provided for you. If you have a 25 Kg bag of seed (purchased for $250.00) and you only NEEDED about ¼ of it, but you used the whole bag… who’s going to pay that extra money? It’s wasteful and non-competitive business… and in that extreme of a situation, you’ll end up with a weaker stand of grass.

Slide 27

Seeding Calculations

Example:

How much seed of the following blend is required for a 590 sq. m yard with a blend of the following (Non irrigated):

KB – 30% Touchdown, 25% Banff

CRF – 25% Victory, 15% Boreal

PR – 5% Blazer

Keep cultivars separate if you are purchasing individually and blending your own.

If its pre-mixed, you can blend them

Speaker Notes

If the seeding rates are:
Kentucky Bluegrass at 0.7kg/100 sq. m
Creeping Red Fescue at 2kg/100 sq. m
Perennial Ryegrass at 4 kg/100 sq. m

Slide 28

Seeding Calculations

Answer:

590 / 100 x 0.7 x 0.3 = 1.24 kg of Touchdown

590 / 100 x 0.7 x 0.25 = 1.03 kg of Banff

590 / 100 x 2 x 0.25 = 2.95 kg of Victory

590 / 100 x 2 x 0.15 = 1.77 kg of Boreal

590 / 100 x 4 x 0.05 = 1.18 kg of Blazer

Total seed = 8.17 Kg

Speaker Notes

You continue using the same rate for calculation (not finding a common rate the way you do for fertilizer) because you’re trying to figure out how much to put down on THIS site, so you’re using your industry standard rates for each species. There is no cross over between KB at 0.5-0.7 and CRF at 1.6-2.0. What you want to know is how much of this blend do I need for my area?
So you take your area, multiply it by that species rate and the percentage of it in the bag. In real life, you can’t guarantee that the 1 cup scoop you took has those exact percentages but we trust that particle sizes of grasses don’t separate much (not the case with bee turf - fescue + clover might separate very quickly - so use new seed, small batch, and try to keep it mixed). What we should have is the correct relative proportions of each seed species based on the percent composition in the bag and the industry established seeding rate of each species.
Effectively what you have figured out is a blend seeding rate - 8.17 Kg of THIS seed over 590 m2. (based on industry standard application rates).
590/5.9 = 100. So 8.17/5.9 = 1.38 Kg seed / 100m2 is the generic seeding rate of THIS seed.
NOW I can go calibrate my spreader for this mix by figuring out how much of this seed should be applied to a 20 m2 test site. I can do the whole calculation
20/100 = .2 * 0.7 * 0.3 (and on and on repeating top equation) = .24 Kg
OR I can use my new seeding rate of 1.38 Kg/100m2. Your number will be out by a couple of grams. At this stage, with these small and imperfect numbers, it could be rounding. When that happens on a test, use the first process (re-doing the entire calculation). In real life, though, the gate opening differential that puts out 24 g vs 28 g is probably not even 1 setting.

Slide 29

Assignment…

PRACTICE:

IF you want, go to Moodle, in the LHAP 106 Reviews section there is a practice quiz with 10 questions.

You can also do the practice questions in the module - they are harder. Answers are in the module.

Whether or not you do the Practice questions, your assignment is found in moodle and is due Oct 13 at 8:00 AM, uploaded to Moodle.

Handed in late day of: -10%. Handed in late afterwards - 20%/day

Handed in after I have marked everyone’s - 0%

Bottom line - if you have an emergency and you will be late, TALK to me first to arrange a possible extension! Don’t wait til you’re late!

Slide 30

Post Seeding Care

Slide 31

Post Seed Care

Mulch

New plants are sensitive, easily damaged Consider using a mulch

Short term protection

Must biodegrade or be removed before seedlings are choked out.

Should be fine textured, easy to apply (and clean-up), cheap, biodegradable, allowing air flow

Straw, Jute or Coir netting

Compost topdress

Consider fencing to prevent traffic

Speaker Notes

Zoysia Grass (Scotts Turf Builder)... Peat has been used. Or now Coir…
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/cover-new-grass-seed-43658.html - straw (beware of seeds), compost, mulch
Erosion control blankets
Often, we simply rake it in a bit.
Post seeding care - hydroseed:
Mulch – layer from hydroseeding is only 5-8mm

Slide 32

Post Seed Care

Watering

Most critical aspect of post seeding care

Seedlings don’t have an adequate root system

Seedlings are prone to environmental conditions

Rule of thumb

keep top 5 cm of soil moist at all times for the first 4 to 6 weeks

As seedlings mature, less frequent, longer waterings are better to promote deeper rooting.

Speaker Notes

Most frequent issue is interruption in the watering schedule – sensitive seedlings dry out, face drought conditions; don’t have enough root system to handle drought - don’t have enough energy to keep trying.
large water droplets / high pressure will wash the seed away
light, frequent applications; from irrigation or natural rain fall - Keep the top 5 cm or (2 inches)
Example – for 2.5 cm per week
Start with 4 applications per week of 0.6 cm (¼”)
As turf matures move to 2 applications of 1.2 cm (½”)
Work towards 1 application of 2.5 cm (1”)

Slide 33

Post Seed Care

Nutrient Regime

As a seedling begins to grow, it requires an increasing amount of nutrient

Earliest stages of growth - slow release applied PRIOR to seeding

Root development

High phosphorus (root promoting)

1:2:0 or 1:3:0 ratio (eg. 16-32-0 or 11-54-0)

Speaker Notes

Fertilizer for hydroseed only needed if not incorporated into seeding mix
As the turfgrass matures
More shoots being produced
More balanced, up to 3-1-2 ratio will be better

Slide 34

Post Seed Care

Mowing

Time: When turf is fairly well established and approaching the highest tolerable mowing height

No regular traffic on turf until after the second mowing

Allowing a higher height initially will help to enhance rooting, plant can adapt a bit better

Speaker Notes

Timing is tricky with 3 genera growing together in a polystand - will leave it a long as you can - Perennial rye will be at the MAX, KB may only just barely be at the min. prioritize the KB, not the nurse crop.
Mowing – not more than 30% of blade unless low maintenance. This turf can go to 40-50% removal of leaf blade b/c it won’t be mowed again until fully recovered.
Use the lightest mower possible for first mowing (Compaction and damage)