Turfgrasses: Their Management and Use in the Southern Zone

This extensively revised edition of Richard L. Duble's reference volume contains all the information needed to create and maintain beautiful lawngrass for homes, golf courses, athletic fields, and parks in mild climates. Based on the author's thirty years of research, Turfgrasses presents a thorough discussion of more than one hundred varieties and twelve species of warm-season turfgrasses. Chapters explain the basic biology of turfgrass growth from seed to maturity and review each type of turfgrass, giving its origin, area of adaptation, use, management, and unique characteristics. Creating a new turf is explained, from site selection and seedbed preparation to maintenance practices. Special turfgrass improvement methods are presented for both shaded and overseeded sites. Other chapter topics include common diseases, plus a helpful key to their identification; management practices for turfgrass insects, such as white grubs, chinch bugs, sod webworms, and armyworms; and turfgrass maintenance programs for golf greens and athletic fields. Profuse color illustrations and tables focus on water budgeting, turfgrass selection criteria, and mowing height and frequency to seeding rates, fertilizer calculations, and chemical controls.