Environment or context of turfgrass is the surrounding conditions, the natural environment, human cultural landscape, and people and animals that use the landscape. While turfgrass management is specific periodic practices such as mowing, fertilization, and irrigation, there are external factors that may not be controllable but should be considered. Regional climate and microclimate factors such as shade of trees, soil type, wind, salt spray, and traffic must be considered in the planting and establishment of a turfgrass species and cultivar. Establishment of turfgrass involves a long-term commitment that may require site modification and other steps in orderly sequence starting with an objective and design for growing turf in contrast to other vegetation groupings such as groundcover. The success and suitability, or failure, of turfgrasses depends on site conditions, soil modification, and one-time design and construction decisions, including whether to use turfgrass or alternative vegetation such as groundcovers. Turfgrass exists in a human cultural context so it is interesting to consider historically how turfgrass became used and developed as a common element in some but not all societies.
Becky1007 – posted 22 February 2009 16:15 I have a major problem with weeds and brown spots on my St. Augustine. Dogs have killed grass in back and we will resod. I need help in improving grass and stopping weeds…
Sg – posted 02 November 2007 16:20 I live in Ocala, FL (central FL) and have 6 dogs. My back yard, or what is left, is a mix of St Augustine, weeds and dirt. I also have 3 large oak…
Bunky – posted 03 October 2004 23:47 I just built a home in the southern foothillsof the Sierra mts. and the house sits on asteep east-facing bluff at elevation of approximately 4300 feet. Worried about erosion on this exposed bluffwith…
lngrid – posted 02 April 2008 22:21 Hi. I wonder if I’m looking for the impossible. I work seven days a week and my fiance has serious medical problems that nearly prevent him from doing yardwork. The yard in our…
Whea – posted 28 April 2005 11:50 We are laying sod this weekend. I know that we need to water it like crazy at the beginning but what about after a month? It’s fescue in a shady (dappled sun) yard.…
jmtucker – posted 05 April 2003 20:51 we are about to put some St. Augustine sod down. Currently on the ground we have black dirt and builders fill dirt. Do we need to put some compost or a mixture of…
Willow – posted 20 April 2004 16:43 I have a bermuda grass lawn infested with grassy weeds – I was considering using MSMA, but am unsure about how it works and how long it remains in the environment. (i.e. how…
timsmith79 – posted 29 May 2002 20:49 I have a newly sodded Bermuda Tifway 419 lawn that was installed about a month ago. My female dog’s urine is causing yellow spots to appear with several areas turning brown already. What…
Donna – posted 02 August 2005 15:30 I live in the Houston Galveston area with an old St. Augustine lawn that has developed numerous dead circles. The blades have totally shriveled & died, but still are standing upright. The circles…
AJ – posted 18 February 2011 11:16 I live in Caliornia and have four adopted dogs from local shelters. 100lb Mastiff, 75lb Pit Bull, 40lb Dachsund mix and 20lb Dachsund. They are indoor/outdor pets. My lawn is dying due to…