Turfmastersod, Fort Collins, Co

Soil Preparation

Properly design, install and maintain an irrigation system that will uniformly and efficiently deliver water.
- Apply organic matter/compost at a minimum of 3 cubic yards per 1000 sq. ft. optimally apply 6 cubic yards per 1000 sq. ft., especially for hard soils.
- Subsoil or rip 6 – 10 inches deep.
- Till 4 – 8 inches deep.
- After ripping, amending, tilling, and grading; the soil is ready for planting.
It is a scientific fact that good soil prep can save 30% of the water needed in the landscape.

Sprinkler Systems

Properly design, install and maintain an irrigation system that will uniformly and efficiently deliver water.
Water budgeting is the best way to conserve water. Water is most accurately applied when using a quality sprinkler system with an ET controller on well prepared soils.
Watering times will vary for each sprinkler zone depending on type of sprinkler head, location, slope and temperature.

Water Needs of Newly Laid Turfgrass

It is critical to water the first 3 days, filling the water holding capacity of the top 4 – 6 inches of the soil!
To obtain water holding capacity, it requires ½ inch of water per day for the first 3 days. Total amount should be split up over 2 or 3 watering periods each day.
On the 4th day revert back to ET (100% ET = ¼ inch per day). Total amount of water should be split up over 2 or 3 watering period each day.
ET stands for Evapotranspiration, which is the rate of water use and water loss in a plant and its soil. ET is the combined process of soil evaporation and plant transpiration.

SPRING & SUMMER WATERING

WEEK 1: It is critical to water new turf the first 7 days. New sod requires ¾" - 1¼" of water per day for the first 7 days. Total amount should be split up over 4 or 5 watering periods each day.
The warmer the temperature, the more water you need to apply!!
WEEK 2: After the first 7 days, water at the rate of ½" per day for 7 days; split up over 2-3 watering periods each day.
WEEK 3: If watering restrictions allow, water ¼" per day every other day for 7 days. After the first two or three weeks, revert to watering 1-2 times per week as local watering restrictions allow, based on the inch per month rates in the chart below.

FALL & WINTER WATERING

WEEK 1: It is critical to water new turf the first 7 days. New sod requires ¾" - 1" of water per day for the first 7 days. Total amount should be split up over 3 or 4 watering periods each day.
WEEK 2: After the first 7 days, water at the rate of ¼" once per day for 7 days.
WEEK 3: If watering restrictions allow, water ¼" per day every other day for 7 days. After the first two or three weeks, revert to watering once per week as local watering restrictions allow, based on the inch per month rates shown in the chart below.
If there is no natural precipitation during the winter months when your sprinklers are shut off, it may be necessary to hand-water. The warmer the temperature, the more water you need to apply!

What do you know about Buffalograss?

Buffalograss and Bluegrama are warm season grasses and this is a cool season climate.
Buffalograss is green 4 months and dormant 8 months.
Buffalograss is not very traffic tolerant.
Weed infestation will occur.
Warm season grasses need ½ to 1 ½ ” of water per week to sustain a quality turf.
Warm season grasses could be wiped out due to cold weather.

Cool Season Turfs:

Can use less water than most xeriscape plants.
Are very traffic tolerant.
Can survive heat stress.
Produce more oxygen that trees, shrubs, and flowers.
Remove dust and dirt from the air.
2500 sq. ft. of turfgrass releases enough for a family of 4, per day.
On a hot day, turf areas will be 15–30 degrees cooler that decks, patios, shrub beds, dirt areas, and walkways.
Act as a natural filter, it reduces pollution by purifying water passing thru the root zone.
8 front lawns have the cooling effect of a 70 ton air conditioner.
According to US Water Resources Council, lawn watering, swimming pools and automobile washing accounts for 27.5% of a household’s total water usage.

Water Needs of Established Turf:

Water needs per month to maintain turf at the various levels of quality: providing the proper steps have been taken.

Cool season turf, when placed on properly prepared soil and irrigated correctly can be one of the most xeric plants in your landscape. No other single plant can provide the environmental benefits and increase in property value.

Plants don't waste water,

People Do