Published by Utah State University Extension and Utah Plant Pest Diagnostic Laboratory
ENT-138-10
September 2010
Turfgrass Cultural Practices and Insect Pest Management Diane Alston, Entomologist • Kelly Kopp, Turfgrass Specialist
Mowing
Do You Know?
As a rule, regular grass mowing height should be 2 to 3½ in. to promote root growth and stress tolerance of turfgrasses. Mow regularly to avoid removing more than one third of the desired leaf length at any one time. Clippings should be recycled back into the lawn as a source of nutrients and organic matter. Consider raking turfgrass areas to remove residual clippings and encourage upright growth of the leaves after a long winter under snow cover.
• Good cultural practices and prevention of stress are critical to keeping turfgrass healthy and pestfree. • Good turfgrass management is dependent on optimal timing of cultural and pest control treatments. • There are four main insect pest groups that attack turfgrass in Utah.
Fertilization
T
here are a number of insects that can cause aesthetic and economic loss to turfgrass in Utah – in home lawns as well as in athletic fields and on recreational lands. Good turfgrass cultural practices are the primary way to prevent insect infestation and turfgrass damage.
Nitrogen is of primary concern in turfgrass fertilization. In the early spring, apply 1 pound of slow-release nitrogen fertilizer per 1000 ft2 of lawn area. This will help the grass recover from winter stress and damage. It will also be especially helpful for areas that have suffered damage due to diseases such as pink and gray snow mold. In a slow-release form, nitrogen fertilizer will provide a consistent source of nutrients as the growing season begins. Apply a second pound of slow-release nitrogen fertilizer per 1000 ft2 of lawn area in late spring to early summer. This will allow the grass to enter into the warmest
CULTURAL PRACTICES TO PREVENT TURF INSECT PROBLEMS Refer to Fig. 1 for optimal timing of turfgrass cultural practices.
Cultural Practices
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Irrigation Northern Region
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Apr - Oct Mar - Nov
Southern Region Aeration/Cultivation Northern Region
Mar - May
Sep - Oct
Jan - May
Southern Region Fertilization Northern Region
Apr
Jun
Oct
Southern Region Mowing Northern Region
Mar - Nov
Southern Region
Good
Seeding/Overseeding Northern Region
Apr - May Feb - Apr
Fig. 1. Turfgrass cultural practices and timing of application for northern and southern Utah.
Best
Feb - Nov
Southern Region
Sep - Oct
Nov
Dec