Turf Science

Question 1

What is Turf

Answer 1

a covering of mowed vegetation

-usually a turfgrass

Question 2

Desirable Turf Species Characteristics

Answer 2

vigorous growth 
mowing quality 
wear tolerance
recovery/ability to self-repair
environmental stress tolerance

Question 3

Cool vs. warm-season turfgrass

Answer 3

cool

• grows best between 65-85
• most are vigorous in spring/fall
• more prone to seasonal diseases
• will require supplemental irrigation during summer months

warm

• grow best when air temp is > 80
• vigorous mid-june through august
• more tolerant of extreme heat and drought
• turn brown during winter dormancy
• suffer winter kill

Question 4

Traditional cool-season lawn grasses

Answer 4

Kentucky bluegrass
Perennial Ryegrass
“Turf-type” tall fescue

Question 5

Warm season grass

Answer 5

Bermudagrass

Question 6

Non-traditional species of turf grass

Answer 6

Rhizomatous “bunch grasses”

Question 7

Turfgrass uses

Answer 7

utility
ornamental
recreational

Question 8

Turf provides numerous benefits

Answer 8

aesthetic 
social/recreational
economic
environmental 
artistic
recreational opportunities
surface stability/reliability
player safety

Question 9

Mature grass stabilize

Answer 9

soil and annual root cycling improves soil health

Question 10

Turfgrass role in storing carbon

Answer 10

turfgrasses are perennial

undisturbed turf will store 0.44 tons of carbon/acre a year or 1 metric ton

Question 11

Why dont you use ryegrass for recreation

Answer 11

perennial ryegrass can become clumpy when overused and thins

Question 12

Why are synthetic fields used

Answer 12

used in areas or climates with poor weather for plant growth

Question 13

What are lawns

Answer 13

area of grasses
mown or defoliated on a regular basis
maintained for the benefit of people

Question 14

How did The American Garden Club change society

Answer 14

they convinced home owners that it was their civic duty to maintain a beautiful and healthy lawn

Question 15

Lawn mower chronological history

Answer 15

goat
scythe
reel mower
rotary push mower
riding mower

Question 16

When and who invented to formal lawn mower

Answer 16

invented in 1830 by Edwin Beard Budding in England