The Basics: Low Maintenance Lawn Care and the U of M

Low maintenance lawns have been of interest to the University of Minnesota for several years. In 2004, the second research project was planted and will be in place for several years.

The objects of this project are:

1. To establish visible, public plantings of these new alternative materials along with "controls" (the university's current recommendations for low maintenance turf).
2. To evaluate these materials using Master Gardeners, commercial grounds and turf managers, and the general public to determine the acceptability of these plants under low maintenance conditions.
3. To continue to educate the public, grounds personnel, and Master Gardeners about the best management practices for lawns and turfgrasses.

The 2004 Low Maintenance Turfgrass study contains the best grasses from the 1995-1997 study (Meyer and Pedersen, 1999) which were: Sunny lawn mix, and Ecology Dryland Mix and No Mow, in addition to 7 other grasses or mixtures.

The grasses in the 2004 study are: [click name for photos, files are large]

Sunny Lawn This is a traditional, standard mix of three tough cool season grasses: Kentucky bluegrass, fine textured perennial ryegrass, and fine fescue. This has been a standard university recommendation for home lawns and general grounds areas for many years. Donated by Twin Cities Seed, Edina, Minnesota.

Dryland Ecology Lawn Mix This is the only mix that contains forbs or flowers in addition to grass. This mix contains sweet clovers, wildflowers and herbs. The plants are: perennial ryegrass and fine fescue, strawberry and Dutch white clovers, wild English daisies, Roman chamomile, yarrow and baby blue eyes. Donated by Nichols Nursery Albany, Oregon.

No Mow This is the finest textured plant material and can create a “hay-like” appearance when left unmowed. It is combination of several fine fescues, including chewings fescue; sheep fescue; Dawson red fescue; SR3100 hard fescue; Scaldis hard fescue; and creeping red fescue. Donated by Prairie Nursery, Westfield, WI.

Wolfpack , Bingo, and Grande tall fescue For years, we have not thought tall fescue was a good alternative for lawns in Minnesota. These three newer fine textured tall fescues do not look like the Kentucky 31 of the past. Time will tell how they perform in Minnesota. Donated from Twin Cities Seed, Edina, Mn and Pure Seed Testing, Inc Hubbard, OR.

Barkoel and Barleria These grasses are two cultivars of our native Junegrass, Koeleria cristata, a cool season dryland grass, found in upland prairies. Rarely grown as lawn grasses and new on the market. Donated by Barenburg, Inc, United Kingdom.

Barcampsia Another native grass, found in shady areas in Minnesota, but can tolerate sun, called hairgrass or Deschampsia caespitosa this bunch grass has good dark green color early in the season. Donated by Barenburg, Inc, United Kingdom.

Barpressa Canada bluegrass, Poa compressa, is in the same genus as Kentucky bluegrass. This grass is usually a lighter green, or grey green color and may prove to be a good low maintenance turfgrass. Donated by Barenburg, Inc, United Kingdom.

 

Details on Plot Research and Specific Methods and Materials:

Locations: There are currently four locations for these low maintenance plots: Rosemount; Minnesota Landscape Arboretum; City of Minneapolis Lake Harriet Rose Garden; and the Turf Research and Outreach Center (TROC) in St. Paul. Grasses were seeded in August and September 2004.

Mowing: Plots are maintained at three mowing heights: 2”, 4” and minimum maintenance or two mowings: mid June and mid October. Minneapolis plots are maintained at one constant height of 2-3".

Fertilization: Fertilization will be done just prior to planting. Based on soil tests, 1 lb nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft using 10-10-10 was incorporated.

Three fertility treatments will be maintained:

• Fertilization in early September, 50% slow release nitrogen, rate of 1 lb/1,000 sq ft
• Fertilization in early September and early October, 50% slow release nitrogen
• No additional fertilizer after initial seeding

Pesticides: No pesticides will be applied.

Irrigation: If possible, irrigation will be supplied for 2 weeks after seeding, then no supplemental irrigation is planned.

Plot Design: Each of the materials will be planted in 3, 10' x 10' plots at each location. Plots will be randomized within three blocks of the 12 materials, 36 plots in total at each location, except in Minneapolis where eight materials or 24 plots will be studied.

Data will be collected by Master Gardeners and lead or team project members similar to a previous study (Meyer and Pedersen, 1999). Color, cover, and overall acceptability of the plants will be evaluated on a scale of 1-5 every 2-4 weeks throughout the growing season at each location.

Additional References:

Carpenter, P. J. and Meyer, M. H. 1999. Edina Goes Green Part III : A Survey of Consumer Lawn Care Knowledge and Practices. HortTechnology. 9: 491-494.

Meyer, M. H. and B. Pedersen. 1999. Low Maintenance Alternative Turfgrass Trials. Journal of Turfgrass Management. 3: 49-57.

Meyer MH. Behe BK. Heilig J. 2001. The economic impact and perceived environmental effect of home lawns in Minnesota. HortTechnology. 11(4):585-590.