Colorado State University Extension Turfgrass Home Page
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Turfgrass Care and Maintenance

Curtis E. Swift, Ph.D.
Colorado State University Extension
Tri River Area

Aeration - core cultivation
Cultivars
Diseases and other Pests
Drought
Fertilizing Turf
Setting Your Irrigation Clock
Nematodes
Landscape Specifications
Selecting a Maintenance Company
Weeds

Aeration
  • Core Cultivation: (Aerating) The Lawn
    This web page discusses the advantages of this procedure.
  • Thatch and Mat are intermingled organic layer of dead and living shoots, stems and roots that develop between the green vegetation and the soil surface. A discussion of these problems and their relevance to insect and disease problems is provided.
  • What about liquid aeration for your lawn?
    Does it work or is it a fraud?
    Check out the story
  • Dryland Grasses for Western Colorado
    This information was provided by Dennis Gorsett, USDA -NRCS, Grand Junction, Colorado office. These web pages provide a listing of grasses for Western Colorado which do well under limited irrigation. Seeding rates and time of seeding are given.

Diseases
  • Fairy rings are reported to be caused by many different soil-inhabiting fungi of the class Basidiomycetes. These fungi can cause the development of rings or arcs of deep green grass as well as unthrifty or dead grass. Rings may vary in size from a few inches to 200 feet (60 meters) or more in diameter.
  • Rust of Kentucky Bluegrass
    This page describes and provides color photographs of rust fungus on Kentucky bluegrass. The photographs show symptoms and signs of rust infection on leaf blades which appeared when regrowing Kentucky bluegrass at a sod farm.
  • Slime Mold; a problem of Turfgrass
    Slime molds (Myxomycetes) are saprophytic on turf, however, they can cause the foliage to become chlorotic (yellow) if they persist for several days. Due to the reduction of light reaching the grass plus interference with respiration and transpiration, colonies of slime mold coating the blades can eventually result in the death of the grass.
  • Leaf wetness influences the initiation and development of many fungal and bacterial caused plant diseases. The longer the leaf surface is wet, the greater the risk of infection and the greater the number of infections per leaf. Information is provided giving specifics on when cool season turf grasses should be watered to avoid or reduce disease problems.
  • Winter Grass Mites
    Mites are tiny, microscopic critters and many different types are found associated with turf. Feeding damage can result in the dead of the turf.
Drought Information
  • This program recommends the application of up to two pounds of nitrogen per one-thousand square feet of lawn late in the season. This has been shown to result in less disease and insect problems during the spring, and enhanced late winter survival and spring recovery.
  • Turfgrass Fertilizer Sources commonly used on turfgrass. This web page provides information on how each is affected by temperature and moisture as well as residual activity, salt index and leaching potential.
  • The fertilization of cool-season turfgrass such as Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass and tall fescue should be based on a soil test report. This publication provides guidance on nutrient needs based on a soil test report.
Irrigation Audits reports for 2005 - 2008
  • Setting Your Irrigation Clock to properly irrigate established cool-season lawns.
    Most irrigation controllers (clocks) have a seasonal percentage adjust or water budget feature which allows the controller to automatically change the amount of water your lawn receives each month of the growing season. These PDF files take you through the process of setting your controller to use this feature:
  • Watering during the winter Newcomers to Western Colorado are often amazed to hear they need to water outdoor gardens and lawn areas during the winter. Except for the mountains, much of Western Colorado is free of snow and relatively dry during the winter months.
  • Watering Established Lawns in Western Colorado Cool-season Grasses (Kentucky Bluegrass, Tall Fescue and Perennial Ryegrass) This discussion answers the following questions:
    • How do I know when my turf needs water?
    • Does the time I water influence disease problems?
    • Can I water every day?
    • What time of day is the best time to water?
    • How deep do I need to water?
    • How much water will it take to wet my soil to the proper depth?
    • How long will it take to apply the proper amount of water?
    • When designing a sprinkler system, what do I need to consider?
    • What affect does temperature have on the amount of water applied?
    • Do I need to water during the growing season even if it is raining?
    • Do I need to water my lawn during the winter?
  • Water Rights in the Grand Valley, Western Colorado
    • The Water Rights of Grand Valley irrigators prior to 1922 account for 2260.28 cubic feet per second (close to 900 thousand acre-feet for this area's 200 day growing season). This is more than adequate for the needs of the Grand Valley. Details are provided.
  • Leaf wetness influences the initiation and development of many fungal and bacterial caused plant diseases. The longer the leaf surface is wet, the greater the risk of infection and the greater the number of infections per leaf. Information is provided giving specifics on when cool season turf grasses should be watered to avoid or reduce disease problems.
  • Winterizing Sprinkler Systems Winterization primarily consists of expelling all the water from the irrigation system and equipment. This is necessary because water freezing to ice during cold weather will break pipes, fittings, valves, sprinklers, pumps, etc. It may not be as simple as it may first appear. This must be done correctly to assure there are no costly repairs and replacements to make in the spring at system start-up.
Nematodes
Turf Weeds
  • Creeping Woodsorrel Information on (Oxalis corniculata) and its control in turf is provided. Links are provided for those desiring more details.
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Turfgrass Care and Maintenance

Curtis E. Swift, Ph.D.
Colorado State University Extension
Tri River Area

Aeration - core cultivation
Cultivars
Diseases and other Pests
Drought
Fertilizing Turf
Setting Your Irrigation Clock
Nematodes
Landscape Specifications
Selecting a Maintenance Company
Weeds

Aeration
  • Core Cultivation: (Aerating) The Lawn
    This web page discusses the advantages of this procedure.
  • Thatch and Mat are intermingled organic layer of dead and living shoots, stems and roots that develop between the green vegetation and the soil surface. A discussion of these problems and their relevance to insect and disease problems is provided.
  • What about liquid aeration for your lawn?
    Does it work or is it a fraud?
    Check out the story
  • Dryland Grasses for Western Colorado
    This information was provided by Dennis Gorsett, USDA -NRCS, Grand Junction, Colorado office. These web pages provide a listing of grasses for Western Colorado which do well under limited irrigation. Seeding rates and time of seeding are given.

Diseases
  • Fairy rings are reported to be caused by many different soil-inhabiting fungi of the class Basidiomycetes. These fungi can cause the development of rings or arcs of deep green grass as well as unthrifty or dead grass. Rings may vary in size from a few inches to 200 feet (60 meters) or more in diameter.
  • Rust of Kentucky Bluegrass
    This page describes and provides color photographs of rust fungus on Kentucky bluegrass. The photographs show symptoms and signs of rust infection on leaf blades which appeared when regrowing Kentucky bluegrass at a sod farm.
  • Slime Mold; a problem of Turfgrass
    Slime molds (Myxomycetes) are saprophytic on turf, however, they can cause the foliage to become chlorotic (yellow) if they persist for several days. Due to the reduction of light reaching the grass plus interference with respiration and transpiration, colonies of slime mold coating the blades can eventually result in the death of the grass.
  • Leaf wetness influences the initiation and development of many fungal and bacterial caused plant diseases. The longer the leaf surface is wet, the greater the risk of infection and the greater the number of infections per leaf. Information is provided giving specifics on when cool season turf grasses should be watered to avoid or reduce disease problems.
  • Winter Grass Mites
    Mites are tiny, microscopic critters and many different types are found associated with turf. Feeding damage can result in the dead of the turf.
Drought Information
  • This program recommends the application of up to two pounds of nitrogen per one-thousand square feet of lawn late in the season. This has been shown to result in less disease and insect problems during the spring, and enhanced late winter survival and spring recovery.
  • Turfgrass Fertilizer Sources commonly used on turfgrass. This web page provides information on how each is affected by temperature and moisture as well as residual activity, salt index and leaching potential.
  • The fertilization of cool-season turfgrass such as Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass and tall fescue should be based on a soil test report. This publication provides guidance on nutrient needs based on a soil test report.
Irrigation Audits reports for 2005 - 2008
  • Setting Your Irrigation Clock to properly irrigate established cool-season lawns.
    Most irrigation controllers (clocks) have a seasonal percentage adjust or water budget feature which allows the controller to automatically change the amount of water your lawn receives each month of the growing season. These PDF files take you through the process of setting your controller to use this feature:
  • Watering during the winter Newcomers to Western Colorado are often amazed to hear they need to water outdoor gardens and lawn areas during the winter. Except for the mountains, much of Western Colorado is free of snow and relatively dry during the winter months.
  • Watering Established Lawns in Western Colorado Cool-season Grasses (Kentucky Bluegrass, Tall Fescue and Perennial Ryegrass) This discussion answers the following questions:
    • How do I know when my turf needs water?
    • Does the time I water influence disease problems?
    • Can I water every day?
    • What time of day is the best time to water?
    • How deep do I need to water?
    • How much water will it take to wet my soil to the proper depth?
    • How long will it take to apply the proper amount of water?
    • When designing a sprinkler system, what do I need to consider?
    • What affect does temperature have on the amount of water applied?
    • Do I need to water during the growing season even if it is raining?
    • Do I need to water my lawn during the winter?
  • Water Rights in the Grand Valley, Western Colorado
    • The Water Rights of Grand Valley irrigators prior to 1922 account for 2260.28 cubic feet per second (close to 900 thousand acre-feet for this area's 200 day growing season). This is more than adequate for the needs of the Grand Valley. Details are provided.
  • Leaf wetness influences the initiation and development of many fungal and bacterial caused plant diseases. The longer the leaf surface is wet, the greater the risk of infection and the greater the number of infections per leaf. Information is provided giving specifics on when cool season turf grasses should be watered to avoid or reduce disease problems.
  • Winterizing Sprinkler Systems Winterization primarily consists of expelling all the water from the irrigation system and equipment. This is necessary because water freezing to ice during cold weather will break pipes, fittings, valves, sprinklers, pumps, etc. It may not be as simple as it may first appear. This must be done correctly to assure there are no costly repairs and replacements to make in the spring at system start-up.
Nematodes
Turf Weeds
  • Creeping Woodsorrel Information on (Oxalis corniculata) and its control in turf is provided. Links are provided for those desiring more details.
Colorado State University Extension Turfgrass Home Page
[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Turfgrass Care and Maintenance

Curtis E. Swift, Ph.D.
Colorado State University Extension
Tri River Area

Aeration - core cultivation
Cultivars
Diseases and other Pests
Drought
Fertilizing Turf
Setting Your Irrigation Clock
Nematodes
Landscape Specifications
Selecting a Maintenance Company
Weeds

Aeration
  • Core Cultivation: (Aerating) The Lawn
    This web page discusses the advantages of this procedure.
  • Thatch and Mat are intermingled organic layer of dead and living shoots, stems and roots that develop between the green vegetation and the soil surface. A discussion of these problems and their relevance to insect and disease problems is provided.
  • What about liquid aeration for your lawn?
    Does it work or is it a fraud?
    Check out the story
  • Dryland Grasses for Western Colorado
    This information was provided by Dennis Gorsett, USDA -NRCS, Grand Junction, Colorado office. These web pages provide a listing of grasses for Western Colorado which do well under limited irrigation. Seeding rates and time of seeding are given.

Diseases
  • Fairy rings are reported to be caused by many different soil-inhabiting fungi of the class Basidiomycetes. These fungi can cause the development of rings or arcs of deep green grass as well as unthrifty or dead grass. Rings may vary in size from a few inches to 200 feet (60 meters) or more in diameter.
  • Rust of Kentucky Bluegrass
    This page describes and provides color photographs of rust fungus on Kentucky bluegrass. The photographs show symptoms and signs of rust infection on leaf blades which appeared when regrowing Kentucky bluegrass at a sod farm.
  • Slime Mold; a problem of Turfgrass
    Slime molds (Myxomycetes) are saprophytic on turf, however, they can cause the foliage to become chlorotic (yellow) if they persist for several days. Due to the reduction of light reaching the grass plus interference with respiration and transpiration, colonies of slime mold coating the blades can eventually result in the death of the grass.
  • Leaf wetness influences the initiation and development of many fungal and bacterial caused plant diseases. The longer the leaf surface is wet, the greater the risk of infection and the greater the number of infections per leaf. Information is provided giving specifics on when cool season turf grasses should be watered to avoid or reduce disease problems.
  • Winter Grass Mites
    Mites are tiny, microscopic critters and many different types are found associated with turf. Feeding damage can result in the dead of the turf.
Drought Information
  • This program recommends the application of up to two pounds of nitrogen per one-thousand square feet of lawn late in the season. This has been shown to result in less disease and insect problems during the spring, and enhanced late winter survival and spring recovery.
  • Turfgrass Fertilizer Sources commonly used on turfgrass. This web page provides information on how each is affected by temperature and moisture as well as residual activity, salt index and leaching potential.
  • The fertilization of cool-season turfgrass such as Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass and tall fescue should be based on a soil test report. This publication provides guidance on nutrient needs based on a soil test report.
Irrigation Audits reports for 2005 - 2008
  • Setting Your Irrigation Clock to properly irrigate established cool-season lawns.
    Most irrigation controllers (clocks) have a seasonal percentage adjust or water budget feature which allows the controller to automatically change the amount of water your lawn receives each month of the growing season. These PDF files take you through the process of setting your controller to use this feature:
  • Watering during the winter Newcomers to Western Colorado are often amazed to hear they need to water outdoor gardens and lawn areas during the winter. Except for the mountains, much of Western Colorado is free of snow and relatively dry during the winter months.
  • Watering Established Lawns in Western Colorado Cool-season Grasses (Kentucky Bluegrass, Tall Fescue and Perennial Ryegrass) This discussion answers the following questions:
    • How do I know when my turf needs water?
    • Does the time I water influence disease problems?
    • Can I water every day?
    • What time of day is the best time to water?
    • How deep do I need to water?
    • How much water will it take to wet my soil to the proper depth?
    • How long will it take to apply the proper amount of water?
    • When designing a sprinkler system, what do I need to consider?
    • What affect does temperature have on the amount of water applied?
    • Do I need to water during the growing season even if it is raining?
    • Do I need to water my lawn during the winter?
  • Water Rights in the Grand Valley, Western Colorado
    • The Water Rights of Grand Valley irrigators prior to 1922 account for 2260.28 cubic feet per second (close to 900 thousand acre-feet for this area's 200 day growing season). This is more than adequate for the needs of the Grand Valley. Details are provided.
  • Leaf wetness influences the initiation and development of many fungal and bacterial caused plant diseases. The longer the leaf surface is wet, the greater the risk of infection and the greater the number of infections per leaf. Information is provided giving specifics on when cool season turf grasses should be watered to avoid or reduce disease problems.
  • Winterizing Sprinkler Systems Winterization primarily consists of expelling all the water from the irrigation system and equipment. This is necessary because water freezing to ice during cold weather will break pipes, fittings, valves, sprinklers, pumps, etc. It may not be as simple as it may first appear. This must be done correctly to assure there are no costly repairs and replacements to make in the spring at system start-up.
Nematodes
Turf Weeds
  • Creeping Woodsorrel Information on (Oxalis corniculata) and its control in turf is provided. Links are provided for those desiring more details.
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