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STEP 4 |
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lawn should be compatible with your climate, aesthetic desires,
and planned to serve a practical purpose. |
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Make
every effort to choose a grass that grows well under your conditions.
For instance, too much shade causes stress that can lead to disease
development. Similarly, some species are more heat or drought tolerant
than others.
Grasses for the
High Desert include: "Cool Season" Species;
Tall Fescue, Perennial Ryegrass, Kentucky Bluegrass, and Kentucky
Bluegrass/ Perennial Ryegrass mixtures. "Warm Season"
Species include; Common and hybrid Bermuda grass, Zoysia grass,
and St. Augustine grass.
Alternatives
to turf grass lawns include groundcovers, shrubs mulched
areas, decks and paved surfaces. Where lawns are needed, provide
topsoil to a depth of 15 cm (5 to 6 inches ) This will allow for
deep rooting. With an established lawn, water thoroughly but less
frequently to maintain the deep roots needed for a healthy, drought
tolerant lawn. |
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be water efficient, the lawn and turf grass should be planted
only where it is considered functional, such as in a play area,
and only in areas where it is can be considered practical. |
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All
types of turf grass have positive and negative characteristics.
The type of grass you choose for your lawn should be compatible
with your climate, anticipated use and maintenance level, and aesthetic
desires; it also should have some resistance to common diseases.
Practical turf areas mean using turf grass
for a specific function. A small "oasis" of turf near
the entrance to the home, a playing surface of durable turf in recreational
areas, or a blanket of turf on a highly erosive slope are all examples
of "Practical" turf areas.
Lawns and turf grass shouldn't be treated as a fill-in or groundcover
material. Rather it should be a planned to serve
a practical purpose: Providing a resilient, soft and cooling surface
for active play or seating areas. |
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Warm Season Species |
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Grasses
for the High Desert |
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| "Warm
Season" turf grasses
grow mainly in spring and summer and go dormant in late fall
and winter. They use less water than "cool season"
turf grasses. |
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| Common
and hybrid Bermuda grass require full sun, but
do well in hot High Desert summers. Both recover relatively
quickly from moderate wear and severe injury during their growing
season. Common Bermuda grass is a lower maintenance turf grass
than hybrid Bermuda grass, and can be established from seed
rather than vegetaively. |
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| Zoysia
grass is heat tolerant and takes some shade.
It is relatively wear-resistant, but recovers slowly from excessive
wear, due to its slow growth rate. Can take up to two years
to fully establish. Generally disease and pest resistant, good
durability, deep-rooted and can grow in most soils |
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Cool Season Species |
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Grasses
for the High Desert |
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| "Cool
Season" turf grasses grow mainly in fall, winter
and spring but remain green all year. To extend color into fall
and winter, annual or perennial ryegrass "cool season"
grasses are sometimes used to over-seed "warm season"
grasses. Alternatively, "cold season" turf grasses
can be established alone. "Cool season" turf grasses
are higher water use than "warm season" turf grasses. |
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| Tall
fescue performs better under high temperatures
than other “cool season” turf grasses. It requires
sun, but accepts partial shade. Tall fescue is moderately wear-resistance,
but does not recover completely from severe injury. It is low-maintenance
turf grass. |
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| Perennial
ryegrass performs well in partial shade in the
High Desert. It is highly competitive against weeds if property
maintained. Two or three varieties should be blended for optimum
performance. |
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| Kentucky
bluegrass lacks high-temperature tolerance and
does not fare well under heavy traffic or compaction during
summer when planted alone. Blending two or three good performing
varieties together is recommended. It requires moderate maintenance. |
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| Kentucky
bluegrass/perennial ryegrass mixtures is preferred
over planting either turf grass singularly. The mixture results
in a more disease-resistant stand, offering good color and year-round
performance. By weight, at least 15 percent perennial ryegrass
is recommended. |
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Xeriscape
incorporates seven water-conserving principles: |
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1: Planning
and Design |
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4: Practical Turf
Selection |
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7: Appropriate
Maintenance |
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2: Soil Analysis |
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5: Efficient
Irrigation |
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3: Appropriate
Plant Selection |
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6: Use
of Mulches |
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Link: Plant
Data Base |
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