Turf and Urban Landscape: Demonstrations and Studies

Current studies and demonstrations are as follows:

Alternate Turfgrass Varieties:
A strong effort has been put forth in the recent past to have people consider using other grasses besides bluegrass for their lawns. Different varieties or mixes of grasses are planted that can be compared with bluegrass.  While most of the varieties planted will require less water and fertilizer than the bluegrass, the overall look and appearance of the lawn is different than what most people are accustomed. This often results is a less than favorable acceptance. It has been interesting to note the drought hardy Kentucky bluegrass plot irrigated with a line-source irrigation system has an acceptable look using 30% less water than what would normally be expected. At that rate, the bluegrass could be considered as watering conserving as some of the alternative varieties. The major types of grasses are fescues, wheatgrasses, Buffalograss, Blue grama and several mixes.

At the District headquarters different turf types are also used in the landscaping and future plans include growing different native grasses and looking at their potential use as turfgrasses.

Currently the greatest challenge is training landscape maintenance people how to properly maintain alternate grass species for best appearances. Different turf types have different requirements for fertilizer, irrigation and mowing.

Landscape Plants Water Use: Very little knowledge is available on how much water other landscape plants require compared to Kentucky bluegrass. This information is needed to make landscapes more water efficient. A study is currently underway to quantify how much water is used by landscape plants compared to turfgrass sod. The evaluation is based upon a "per-square-foot-equivalent-basis" measurement of water use to see if there can be long-term water savings in landscape irrigation. This information can then be used in creating water budgets for individual landscapes that will aid in improved water management.

Improved Irrigation Design and Renovation:
This project is evaluating different types of nozzles and sprinkler heads to identify methods and techniques that can be used to improve the overall performance and efficiency of new and existing sprinkler systems. Designers as well as maintenance people can use this information to improve systems for a minimal cost that will allow sprinkler systems to perform with higher efficiency. Additionally, alternate irrigation methods have been evaluated, including subsurface drip & turf bubbler or wick irrigation.

Soil Moisture Sensors:
As water resources get tighter and other costs associated with landscape and turfgrass maintenance increase, other methods for scheduling irrigation events are being given more consideration. An ongoing demonstration site has been established to look at different soil moisture sensors that control the irrigation by interfacing with the controller. The demand for reliable and affordable soil moisture sensors to control irrigation is growing.

Weather-based Controllers: Weather-based controllers demostrate new technology and types of irrigation controllers that can respond to environmental conditions. These controllers can calculate the number of minutes sprinkler zones should run to deliver the supplemental water necessary for proper plant health based on current weather conditions. Each year more controllers are being introduced. Positive results in controlled studies provide information for cities and property managers.

Completed Studies: Completed studies include fertilizer comparisons, an EPA funded water quality study tracking nitrate leaching in urban lawns, mowing practices and submitting reports to the state on recommended best management practices for urban lawns. Those reports are available on line at www.ncwcd.org/ims/ims_turfandurban_tech_rep.asp

New Technology:

Technology Transfer: Establishing areas where new technology can be demonstrated to turfgrass managers as well as homeowners is a high priority of the turf & urban landscape water management and conservation program. New instruments, sensors and irrigation concepts such as "wick" irrigation and sub-surface drip irrigation for turfgrass are installed and demonstrated. These efforts gain valuable experience as to the usefulness and practicality of these new concepts and how they could be used in the future to improve landscape water management. New products are often tried and demonstrated for others to see. Turf Field Days are held annually plus other tours are scheduled as needed to allow others to see what we are doing as well as to provide a forum for input from professionals as well as the general public.