Lawn Renovation Lawn Renovation

Post hurricane repairsPost hurricane repairs

Some flood areas got killed

Some flood areas survived

Areas flooded differ in damageAreas flooded differ in damage

Severity of plant damage depends on Severity of plant damage depends on flood water quality, duration and flood water quality, duration and temperatures.temperatures.

Salty water for long periods of time in hot Salty water for long periods of time in hot weather were the worst.weather were the worst.

Storm topping could be good or bad/salty; remove, don’t till in, if salt contaminated

Early sample conclusions:Early sample conclusions:

‘‘For those areas that had a large For those areas that had a large accumulation of sediment, it is accumulation of sediment, it is recommended to scrape or remove this recommended to scrape or remove this sediment from lawns and beds. The sediment from lawns and beds. The primary issue with sediment is salinity, primary issue with sediment is salinity, which when watered into the soil may which when watered into the soil may increase the soil salinity and thus be increase the soil salinity and thus be deleterious to plant growth.’deleterious to plant growth.’

What to do spring 2006 ?What to do spring 2006 ?

A dry winter didn’t help much.A dry winter didn’t help much. Run a soil test and storm test if suspicious of Run a soil test and storm test if suspicious of

salinity. $7 & $5.salinity. $7 & $5. Remove storm topping only if salty.Remove storm topping only if salty. What’s dead is dead- reestablish as necessary What’s dead is dead- reestablish as necessary

or weeds will take over and predominate.or weeds will take over and predominate. Routine $7 soil test may be a good idea to see what Routine $7 soil test may be a good idea to see what

the flood water did to your soil fertility.the flood water did to your soil fertility. Don’t rush into establishment; do it right.Don’t rush into establishment; do it right. Kill existing vegetation first before replanting.Kill existing vegetation first before replanting.

Simple BioassaysSimple Bioassays

Is there an area that you think may have a problem with salts? Take a Is there an area that you think may have a problem with salts? Take a 0-3” section of the soil, place it in a suitable container and plant 0-3” section of the soil, place it in a suitable container and plant into it the seed you’ll be planting. Water it & observe. into it the seed you’ll be planting. Water it & observe.

Another more direct approach is to locate a questionable area and useAnother more direct approach is to locate a questionable area and use a rake to rough-up the soil. Plant sensitive radish and lettuce seed vs a rake to rough-up the soil. Plant sensitive radish and lettuce seed vs

Swiss chard, tomato or broccoli (salt tolerant). Be sure to mark Swiss chard, tomato or broccoli (salt tolerant). Be sure to mark which crop is planted in which area. Water the areas as needed; which crop is planted in which area. Water the areas as needed; observe.observe.

If sensitive crops emerge and do O K- great; if the salt tolerant won’t If sensitive crops emerge and do O K- great; if the salt tolerant won’t grow, you either have bad seed or extremely salty soil. Try some grow, you either have bad seed or extremely salty soil. Try some known good soil in a pot as a control comparison.known good soil in a pot as a control comparison.

With these tests, you’ll have a pretty good idea of how affected is the With these tests, you’ll have a pretty good idea of how affected is the soil. soil.

Establishment Establishment preparationpreparation

Get the soil testedGet the soil tested Control perennial weedsControl perennial weeds Remove rocks & trashRemove rocks & trash Install drains, swales, irrigation, etc.Install drains, swales, irrigation, etc. Develop the topsoilDevelop the topsoil

Lime, fertilizer, organic matter, sandLime, fertilizer, organic matter, sand Develop the seedbedDevelop the seedbed

Till, rake, drag, level, rollTill, rake, drag, level, roll Now plant seed or sodNow plant seed or sod

Have irrigation in place before final grade and planting

Propagation successPropagation success

Seeds and young plants are most Seeds and young plants are most affected by salinity or stress.affected by salinity or stress.

Vegetative (mature material) is more Vegetative (mature material) is more resistant to salinity or stress.resistant to salinity or stress.

Establishment by seedEstablishment by seed

Choice of grassChoice of grass Cool season type vs. Warm seasonCool season type vs. Warm season Mixture, blend or one kindMixture, blend or one kind Review seed quality Review seed quality

Broadcast or drill the seedBroadcast or drill the seed Cultipak or roll to seat seedCultipak or roll to seat seed Irrigate (lightly & frequently)Irrigate (lightly & frequently)

First establish a good seed bed

Broadcast seed uniformly

Get good seed/soil contact- as shown by tire tracks

Roll in your seed for good soil contact

Vegetative establishmentVegetative establishment

Solid soddingSolid sodding Plugging or strip plugPlugging or strip plug Sprigging or stolonizingSprigging or stolonizing

Lay sod or distribute sprigsLay sod or distribute sprigs Disc in, topdress and roll or cultipak as needed Disc in, topdress and roll or cultipak as needed

to plant or level the surface.to plant or level the surface. Irrigate immediatelyIrrigate immediately

Sod beds need a good base too

Pallet distribution cuts work

Lay sod tight together

Lay sod in ‘brick-like’ pattern

Keep those edges tight together or fill in gaps with soil

Roll over your newly planted sod or plugs

Pluggedlawn

Cut sod intoPlugs-2x2 or 4x4 “

Keep your newly planted investment growing well