Why Some Turf Renovations Don’t Work

Probably one of the most overlooked issues. Too much moisture in the soil or occasional standing water on the surface may be creating turf quality issues. Watch for standing water as an indicator of drainage issues.

Solution: Re-grade sites to improve surface drainage. Channel water away from trouble spots via drain tile, hard surface drainage management, etc. Introduce soil amendments to create more pore space in the soil profile to facilitate drainage.

Turfgrass plants are not indestructible. They’ll succumb to overuse and rapid wear just like a cheap carpet. Even if these turf plants are performing at their peak, many times they can’t keep up with unrealistic traffic.

Solution: Manage traffic and diligently core aerate. Overseed with traffic tolerant grasses.

Typically this issue is related to overuse (see above), however, heavier soils, soils with poor structure or high pH may just inherently be compacted.

Solution: Core aerate! Introduce soil amendments such as calcined clay, sand or compost. Experiment with gypsum applications or soil acidifiers designed to loosen heavy soils.

Grass needs sunlight to manufacture food via photosynthesis (think back to 10^th grade biology). Trees casting heavy shade typically act like big umbrellas, too. That means the soil under those trees is typically drier. Tree roots are also competing with the turf under them for moisture and nutrients.

Solution: Trim or remove trees. Thin out branches to improve light filtration and air circulation. Consider alternative ground vegetation more suitable for heavy shade.

Some turf stands are predisposed to disease pressure due to the presence of older varieties, soil-borne pathogens or a micro-climate conducive for disease activity.

Solution: Identify the pathogens, determine cultural control options and, as a last resort, fungicide treatments. Introduce newer, more disease-resistant turf varieties. Improve air circulation to reduce disease occurrence.

All turfgrasses have their strengths and weaknesses. Using bluegrasses in heavy shade or fine fescues in high-traffic areas are good examples of varieties that are out of place and, consequently, will not persist over time.

Solution: Pay close attention to site parameters and consult your favorite seed expert for help in matching species and cultivars to growing conditions, budgets and intended use.

Mowing too short or not often enough, fertilizing too much and making poor product choices, over- or under-watering—this sort of malpractice will create turf health issues in due time.

Solution: Assess your current turf management practices, identify areas for improvement and consult a turf extension representative or your Reinders rep for ideas and recommendations.  

If you ignore turf, it will react negatively to your inaction by becoming thin, lethargic, weed infested and chlorotic, among other things. With just a little bit of attention, your turf will respond positively and show its good side.

Solution: Apply fertilizer at least one or two times annually, supplement Mother Nature’s precipitation shortfalls during drought events with irrigation and perform regular cultural practices such as proper mowing, fall clean up and core aerating (if possible).