HORT-240 Turf Grass Management

This course involves the management of turf grasses for both landscape and recreational uses. At the end of the course, the student should have a working knowledge of grass varieties and their uses: use of a key in plant grass identification; growth requirements including temperature, fertilizers, irrigation and drainage; pest identification and control including fungi, nematodes, insects and weeds; cultivation (planting and mowing) thatch management and auxiliary practices; sod establishment; and golf course practices.

Credits

3

Hours Weekly

2 hours lecture, 2 hours lab weekly

Course Objectives

1. 1. Identify the major types of turf grasses.
2. 2. Identify the relationship between proper mowing, liming, variety selection and a successful turf.
   
3. 3. Identify and manage turf pest problems with reduced application of traditional pesticides.
   
4. 4. Develop a turf management program for both commercial and home lawns.
   
5. 5. Define IPM practices as they apply to turf.
6. 6. Identify steps to improve a lawn.
7. 7. Identify steps to completely renovate a lawn.
   
8. 8. Select the appropriate fertilizer program for turf.
9. 9. Specify how to read a soil test result.
10. 10. Identify common turf weeds and a strategy to reduce/prevent them.

Course Objectives

1. 1. Identify the major types of turf grasses.
2. 2. Identify the relationship between proper mowing, liming, variety selection and a successful turf.
   
3. 3. Identify and manage turf pest problems with reduced application of traditional pesticides.
   
4. 4. Develop a turf management program for both commercial and home lawns.
   
5. 5. Define IPM practices as they apply to turf.
6. 6. Identify steps to improve a lawn.
7. 7. Identify steps to completely renovate a lawn.
   
8. 8. Select the appropriate fertilizer program for turf.
9. 9. Specify how to read a soil test result.
10. 10. Identify common turf weeds and a strategy to reduce/prevent them.