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Classifications & Use of Turfgrass Sod for Ontario |
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P.O. Box 235, Carlisle, Ontario Canada, L0R 1H0 (905) 689-8845 |
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The Nursery Sod Growers Association of Ontario Specifications for Turfgrass Sod for Ontario ·Quality Standard ·Specifications, Classifications & Use of Turfgrass Sod for Ontario The Immediate Environmental Benefits from Turf Establishment by Sodding Benefits of Turfgrass |
Prepared by the Nursery Sod Growers Association of Ontario in co-operation with
Dr. J.L. Eggens, Dept. of Horticultural Science University of Guelph, and Pam Charbonneau, Turf Extension Specialist, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
The Nursery Sod Growers Association of OntarioFormed in 1960, the Nursery Sod Growers Association of Ontario (N.S.G.A.) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the betterment of the turfgrass sod industry. The main objectives of the association are to develop and maintain high standards of turfgrass sod quality, to stimulate consumer knowledge of quality turfgrass sod, to work in close co-operation with allied professions to the benefit of consumer and trade alike, and to gather, analyse and disseminate information of general interest to the public, governmental agencies and other organizations.
The Nursery Sod Growers Association of Ontario funds research at the University of Guelph to determine which species, cultivars and techniques will produce a superior turfgrass sod for the consumer. The Association supports the Guelph Turfgrass Institute - a world-class turfgrass research and education centre. Regular meetings provide our members with a forum for the discussion and dissemination of information.When you purchase Number One Grade Turfgrass Nursery Sod from members of N.S.G.A., you receive a product grown by employing the best techniques of modern agronomy. Grown from superior grass strains, the turfgrass sod has been carefully nurtured ensuring that the unseen roots are just as strong and healthy as the grass you see. The grass has been carefully mowed and weeds have been controlled to produce a product which provides a high degree of consumer satisfaction.
Specifications for Turfgrass Sod for Ontario
A complete specification for turfgrass nursery sod will include the quality standard as set out below PLUS a selection of one of the classifications of turfgrass nursery sod as set out on the following page.
Quality StandardNumber One Grade Turfgrass Nursery Sod
Turfgrass nursery sod is grass that has been seeded and cultivated in nursery sod fields as a turfgrass sod. At the time of sale, Number One Grade Turfgrass Nursery Sod should be in a healthy condition. Sod of this quality may contain I broadleaf weed per 40 square metres and up to 1% native* grasses. Sod should be of sufficient shoot density that no surface soil will be visible from a standing position when mowed to a height of 4 centimetres. The mowing height range should be 3 to 7 centimetres with the exception of creeping bentgrass sod where mowing height is determined by the end use. The thickness of the soil portion of the sod should not exceed 1.5 centimetres.**
Number One Grade Turfgrass Nursery Sod is recommended for locations where an attractive high quality turf is required, such as residential/commercial/office lawns, golf courses, sports fields and institutional grounds.
Commercial Grade Turfgrass Nursery Sod
Commercial turfgrass nursery sod is grass that has been seeded and cultivated in nursery sod fields as a turfgrass sod. At the time of sale, Commercial Grade Turfgrass Nursery Sod should be in a healthy condition. Sod of this quality may contain up to 5 broadleaf weeds per 40 square metres and up to 20% native* grasses. Sod should be of sufficient shoot density that no surface soil will be visible from a standing position when mowed to a height of 4 centimetres . The mowing height range should be 3 to 7 centimetres with the exception of creeping bentgrass sod where mowing height is determined by the end use. The thickness of the soil portion of the sod should not exceed 1.5 centimetres.**
Commercial Grade Turfgrass Nursery Sod is suitable for erosion control, roadsides, boulevards and minimum maintenance areas.
*Any grass species other than those seeded shall be deemed native.
**Thickness of the soil portion of the sod may vary with field and environmental conditions at time of harvest. Note that the soil portion is generally composed of at least 50% volume of grass roots.
Specifications, Classifications & Use of Turfgrass Sod for Ontario
Classification, Description and Use of Turfgrass Nursery Sod
Kentucky Bluegrass Sod
Nursery sod grown from one or more Kentucky bluegrass cultivars.
Highly recommended by N.S.G.A., this all-purpose sod is a first choice for Ontario climates for use in sunny to slightly shady locations. Its excellent colour and texture make it an attractive, high quality turf especially for residential lawns. Also used for parks, cemeteries, institutional grounds, boulevards, golf courses, sports fields, office and commercial lawns.
Kentucky Bluegrass/Fine Fescue Sod
Nursery sod grown from a seed mixture containing 90 - 95% by weight of Kentucky bluegrass cultivars and 5 - 10% by weight of creeping red, chewings or hard fescue cultivars.
An all purpose sod with moderate shade adaptation. Suitable for residential lawns, parks, cemeteries, institutional grounds, boulevards, golf courses, sports fields, office and commercial lawns.
Fine Fescue/Kentucky Bluegrass Sod
Nursery sod grown from a seed mixture containing 60% - 70% by weight of Kentucky bluegrass cultivars and 30% - 40% by weight of creeping red, chewings or hard fescue cultivars.
A less attractive lower maintenance sod having higher tolerance to shade and drought stresses. Suitable for any turf area requiring shade tolerance and/or minimal maintenance.
Specialty Turfgrass Sod
Nursery sod grown from seed of various species of turfgrass such as:
A. Creeping Bentgrass*Includes creeping red fescue, chewings fescue, hard fescue, and sheep fescue.A fine-textured, very dense, low growing species recommended for use on putting greens, bowling greens, fairways and tees. Usually grown as a mono-stand of a single cultivar.
B. Turf-Type Perennial Ryegrass
A medium-textured, shiny-leafed, moderately fast growing species exhibiting good wear tolerance. Lacks cold hardiness in many parts of Ontario. Can be used for lawns, sports fields and fairways. May be grown in a mixture with Kentucky bluegrass.
C. Fine-Leafed Fescues*
A less attractive, very fine-textured, shade adapted and drought tolerant species suitable for low maintenance situations. May be grown in a mixture with Kentucky bluegrass. Has lower nitrogen and water requirements.
D. Turf-Type Tall Fescue
A coarse-textured, drought resistant and wear tolerant species. Non-recuperative when damaged. Lacks cold hardiness in many parts of Ontario. Suitable for sports fields and low maintenance areas mowed at higher heights.
E. Other Species
Include supina bluegrass (a shade and wear tolerant species), weeping alkaligrass (a salt and alkaline pH tolerant species), and other specialized turfgrasses as they may be identified.
The Immediate Environmental Benefits from Turf Establishment by Sodding
The options in turf establishment in Ontario are basically sodding , seeding and hydroseeding. As one assesses the sodding option from the standpoint of immediate environmental benefits, there are several significant dimensions:
Erosion Control - Sodding offers immediate stabilization of the construction site thereby avoiding significant loss of soil by wind or water erosion.
Water Conservation - Sodded turf sites will require irrigation for a shorter period of time after planting than sites which are seeded.
Reduced Herbicide Use - When establishing a turf with quality sod, there should be no need to apply a herbicide for weed control for two to four years.
Reduced Probability Of Failure - Frequently, turf must be established on very adverse sites such as impermeable clays, stee or stony sites and poorly drained areas. Proper sodding has a much higher potential for successful stabilization of the area with turf. Risk of failure by seeding is great and may require repeat plantings.
Earlier Environmental Benefits - Sodding offers a significant range of immediate benefits which contribute to life in urban areas. These are listed more fully in the following notes, "Benefits of Turfgrass.
Turfgrass, a major contributor to the protection of our environment and the enhancement of our quality of life, uniquely offers the following benefits:
Environmental
Soil Erosion Control - Protection of a Vital Natural Resource - Installation of turfgrass sod offers immediate superior stabilization of the installation site, thereby avoiding significant loss of a vital natural resource, our soil,-by wind or water erosion.
Water Conservation - Ground Water Recharge - Flood Control - Turfgrass sod has a superior cap~bility of trapping and holding rain water in place for ground water recharge and -thereby reduces run-off and the need for more extensive flood control structures. It also enhances the moisture content of the root zone thus further reducing the need for irrigation.
Soil Enrichment - Carbon Storage - Turfgrass sod forms a very extensive fibrous root system that extends throughout the root zone in the soil. As they decay, micro-organisms form humus which was originally derived from atmospheric carbon dioxide, and thus improves soil productivity. New roots are continually developing, dying off, and decomposing.
Discourages Nuisance Pests - Mowed grass discourages rats, mice, snakes, mosquitoes, ticks and similar nuisance pests that tend to seek a more protective habitat in tall landscape plantings.
Organic Chemicals Decomposer - The turfgrass-soil-microbiological ecosystem is one of the best in its capability to degrade synthetic organic chemical pollutants that it has trapped with surface run-off water from hard surfaces.
Health
Temperature Moderation - Turfgrass reduces temperature heat extremes by natural transpirational cooling. The front lawns of just 8 average houses have the cooling effect of about 70 tons of air conditioning. The average home-size central air unit has a 3 to 4 ton capacity.
Pollutant Filter For Water Quality - Turfgrass absorbs gaseous pollutants (carbon dioxide and ozone) from the air and traps particulate matter (dust and dirt with organic chemicals) from the atmosphere.
Oxygen Releaser - The process of photosynthesis in green plants releases oxygen into the atmosphere. About 2500 square feet of lawn will release sufficient oxygen to meet the needs of a family of 4.
Pollen Allergy Control - Mowed turfgrass helps control weeds and flowering of grasses that produce pollen which cause unpleasant allergic reactions.
Noise Abatement - Glare Reduction - Turfgrass has the ability to absorb sound and reduce undesirable noise levels by 30 to 40 percent. It also produces multi-direction reflection that reduces unpleasant glare problems.
Recreational Activities - Dense, well-maintained turfgrass reduces sports injuries significantly and provides a resilient playing surface for years of healthy outdoor recreation.
Natural Beauty and Aesthetic Benefits - Turfgrass contributes to mental health, social harmony, a pleasant visual environment, and increased real estate value.
Security Zone - Fire Break - The open, mowed, green lawn provides a visual security zone to discourage unwanted intruders and also serves as a protective break against wild-fires.