The term ‘topdressing’ is used for both the material used and the process of adding a thin layer of material to the surface of a sod or seed bed.

Bermudagrass sod is a tough, fine-textured, aggressive, warm-season turf that's just perfect for a pretty lawn or well-performing athletic turf. It does not tolerate shade, so overhangs and trees are a big problem.

Our warm-season grasses don’t like low temperatures. Some may show off colors because of chilling injury. Don't confuse this with disease and don't make it worse.

A general overview calendar of bermudagrass maintenance options for athletic turf managers.

A simple calendar for general weed control activities on sports fields.

Iron chlorosis results when green chlorophyll in leaf tissue fails to develop properly. Iron chlorosis first develops in new growth and as the condition worsens, leaves appear yellow or almost white.

This report estimates the cost and return of a centipedegrass sod farm in Louisiana. Materials, inputs and scheduling reflect the average situation in Louisiana.

Poa infestations are usually combated with herbicides. Several options exist with preemergence herbicides applied in the early fall for Poa control on golf courses that will not be overseeded. However, most of these herbicides are not labeled for golf greens.

Several useful and applicable reference articles for sod farming.

Mole crickets cause millions of dollars in turf and grass damage each year. Their burrowing in the soil breaks up the soil and causes roots to dry out. Identification, life cycle and control included.

To harvest an acre of sod on a sod farm will require more than an acre to be cut because it is virtually impossible to harvest all the grass as a saleable item. Losses will come from several sources.

Managing nematodes in golf greens is quickly going to change over the next two years. The current nematicide that is being use is being phased out.

A properly designed and operated irrigation system will ensure that the critical factor of soil moisture will be there to sustain healthy plant growth.

Areas that receive a lot of traffic usually become compacted. Soil particles are packed closer together, creating a root zone where there is little air, poor percolation of water and a tough medium for roots to grow in. The most effective form of relief for a compacted lawn is core aerification.

Sports turf grown on a sand-based root zone requires special attention since it is sand and not soil. This management is more like a hydroponic culture.

A properly constructed and maintained playing surface is an important component of the overall athletic facility. This publication includes information on the construction and maintence of athletic field turfgrass.

Soil compaction and lack of aeration are death on turf.

The analysis or "formula" listed on the fertilizer bags tells you what is inside. This information lets you apply the proper amount of fertilizer.

The soil's pH (acidity level) is a basic foundation of soil fertility and productivity. It is 'step one' in plant production.

Whether renovating your field or planting a new one, a good, strong start is the key to success.

Layering of very different soil types creates root problems. If you can, always avoid sodding a sand-based root-zone area with native-soil-based sod.

The turfgrass cover on playing fields definitely affects the play of the game. Field speed, ball roll and safety are all very much related to the turf condition. An attractive field is inspirational to the team and a pleasure to watch play on.

Phosphorus (P) is a major essential nutrient in plants and soils, but is often eyed as an element of concern. Following our BMPs for P fertilization should yield adequate growth, color and pest resistance without harmful pressures on our water’s quality.

Mowing in the morning will give a longer time of high quality play during hours of play than mowing in afternoon or evening because of the way grass grows.

Interest in commercial sod production has risen because of increased demand for an instant turf by many building contractors and their customers. This publication discusses basic cultural practices and equipment required to produce quality sod. (PDF Only - Rev 04/08)

A simple but accurate way of checking the output of your sprayer is the H 128 method of sprayer calibration.

It takes some knowledge and research to select turfgrass species and varieties that are adapted to your site and that will perform well under their intended use and time of planting.

Louisiana has an abundant supply of water; even so, the demand for water sometimes exceeds the amount readily available. This publication will help homeowners and turf managers make better irrigation choices as to when to irrigate and how much.

The good mowing practices are okay with most lawns and tall-cut turf. Tall cut grass often has more abuse tolerance by nature of more leaf area and more root mass. Low-cut turf does not have these extended benefits to draw from and requires the best mowing practices to sustain decent quality.

Centipedegrass is a popular lawn grass in Louisiana. Although centipede is a low maintenance grass, proper management is still important. This publcation covers factors that contribute to centipede decline: improper plant nutrition, cultural practices, and soil and water conditions.

Louisiana sod situation for 2007.

If you want to apply granular products correctly, you will need to use the correct spreader pattern setting, swath width, and rate setting. This article will tell you how to achieve this.

Numbers and lines on turfgrass are best applied with specially formulated turf paints. These materials are not toxic to leaf blades and allow them to breathe.

Many people think that grass just grows and grows and you can’t wear it out. The truth is that most fields are over used and under maintained. Assessing wear also helps with field maintenance schedules and budgets.

Turf problems can be categorized as cultural (man-made), environmental or pest-related. Often two or more of these factors contribute to the problem.

Turfgrasses provide functional, economic, recreational, health and safety, environmental and aesthetic benefits to Louisiana.

Increased emphasis on safer sports turf has evolved greatly over the past years. About 20 years ago, two-thirds of reported sports injuries occurred on practice fields. Those fields were less maintained than game fields.

There are several things that will give all athletic fields success in keeping adequate turf cover on the field. Simply put, you must grow grass, avoid wearing it out and don’t have a mud pit.

Two-thirds to three-quarters of the golf game is affected by the green; thus your first dollars should go toward a well-performing green.

Acidic soils (low pH) cause more gardening problems in Louisiana than any other soil factor. They affect so many other soil factors in both pest management and soil fertility.

We are all familiar with low-growing, running grasses like the St. Augustine and centipede used to cover lawn areas, and, in most gardeners’ minds, all other grasses are simply weeds. Ornamental grasses, however, are an often overlooked group of herbaceous perennials that thrive in our climate and will grow beautifully with minimal effort.

Some sand bunkers are a nightmare to maintain. The structural stability of sand on a slope is a function of slope, type of sand and the amount of water. Knowledge of the following principles will show you where your problem lies and suggest what to do about it.

In mid-April it’s time to do two things – pay taxes and fertilize your lawn. If you’ve already taken care of the taxes, now you should decide whether or not to fertilize your lawn.

Following the best management practices (BMPs) given here should help keep your lawn in good condition. A healthy and properly cared for lawn will resist weeds and other pest problems; thus, a minimum of pesticide products will be needed. Basic lawn care consists of proper fertilizing, watering and mowing and appropriate pest management, as needed.

The green industry is the production, sale and maintenance of ornamental plants and related products. The purpose of this study was to estimate the impact of the green industry on Louisiana’s economy.

(Distributed 7/25/03) Sometimes you must pick up lawn waste or trash that can include leaves, pine needles and grass clippings as well as twigs, seed pods from trees, pine cones and other debris. There are tools designed for such jobs, says LSU AgCenter engineer Dr. Richard Parish.

LSU AgCenter experts say soil contamination in Jefferson and Orleans parishes from flooding after this summer’s hurricanes may not be as serious as originally feared. Initial results of tests conducted in October indicate no need for special preparations to the soils prior to planting and that there should be no danger for individuals digging or planting in the soil.

All grasses should be "brought back" in April. A good strong start helps prevent weed establishment.

If you overseeded your lawn or athletic fields last fall, you should help your turf out of that "fix," says LSU Agricultural Center horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske. The warm-season grass will be trying to re-establish itself as the cool-season, overseeded grass grows strong.

If handled the wrong way, centipede lawns can develop a lethal syndrome.

(Distributed January 2004) In January and February, outdoor gardening activities are limited. Why not prepare for spring?

Mushrooms in lawns and moldy foods can be health hazards for your dogs, according to LSU AgCenter veterinarian Dr. Steve Nicholson.

Maintaining good Bermudagrass turf primarily includes adequate fertility, mowing and weed control, says LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske.

(Distributed May 2004) A recent Florida study showed that a sodded St. Augustine lawn, even on a sandy soil with 10 percent slope, was very effective in retaining the applied N (nitrogen). Sod was fertilized with a standard 1 pound. N/1000 square feet. every other month during the growing season. Researchers found less than 2 percent of the applied N was lost as leaching down through that soil. This loss occurred essentially with fresh applications and higher rainfall.

As we move into August, heat and humidity make you think twice before working outdoors. In wet summers, the extra turf growth and extra mowing also may squelch your enthusiasm. But spending less time in your yard could lead to a loss of general soil fertility.

(Distributed 7/25/03) Does your lawn have ruts or stripes caused by mower tires? Have you ever envied the beautiful checkerboard and diagonal patterns on golf greens and sports fields? You can counteract the ruts and improve the look of your lawn with a little forethought and change in your mowing patterns, according to LSU AgCenter engineer Dr. Richard Parish.

(Distributed 7/25/03) Fertilization is one way to promote rapid recovery of worn turf areas on athletic fields. But time is running short to restore the grass, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske.