 Introduction |
| Reasons for Turfgrass Failure |
| Turf Improvement Programs |
Quality turf is desirable for a variety of reasons: it controls erosion, dust, and mud; adds value to home and commercial landscapes; and provides a safe surface for recreational and athletic activities. When conditions become intolerable, turf managers or home owners may decide to improve turfgrass areas. The process can be as simple as upgrading turf culture and pest control, or as complicated as completely removing the existing vegetation and then reestablishing the turf area. Intermediate between these two options is changing the species of turfgrass grown or replacing turf plants that have died by planting new plant material into existing live or dead turf. In this section, the turf improvement processes, short of a total reestablishment, will be discussed.
Other sections of this program provide information for proper turfgrass species and cultivar selection. Choose new planting materials carefully; using grasses that are not adapted to your intended use, environment, area, or management level can result in poor quality turf and disappointment for many years to come. Both pest and nonpest problems can be reduced through the proper selection of turf species and cultivars. It is imperative that you select a turfgrass that will perform well under local conditions.