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Resources for Turf

Title Available As Summary Date ID Author
Low-Maintenance Turfgrass Evaluation, 2008 Report May 1, 2009 2901-1080
Sod Source Selection, Installation, Maintenance, and Producers in Virginia
While high-quality sod is available outside of the VCIA-certified sod program, the consumer is encouraged to be aware of factors that are important in determining sod quality. Quality sod contains excellent turf varieties with good sod strength (i.e., easy to handle for both harvest and installation) and has no serious insect, weed, or disease problems.
Feb 3, 2021 418-040 (CSES-151P)
Managing Human-Wildlife Interactions: Moles Jun 27, 2023 420-201 (CNRE-169P)
Best Management Practice Fact Sheet 3: Grass Channels Jul 1, 2020 426-122 (BSE-271P)
Using Compost in Your Landscape Mar 13, 2021 426-704 (SPES-304P)
Lawn Fertilization in Virginia
Fertilization of lawns is essential for the production of quality turf in Virginia. However, exceeding recommended fertilizer application rates or improper application timing can negatively impact surface water and groundwater quality.
Jun 21, 2021 430-011 (SPES-334NP)
Fertilización del Césped en Virginia (Lawn Fertilization in Virginia)
La fertilización del césped es esencial para la producción de césped de calidad en Virginia. Sin embargo, exceder las tasas recomendadas de aplicación de fertilizante o una frecuencia de aplicación incorrecta puede afectar negativamente la calidad de las aguas superficiales y subterráneas.
Jun 22, 2021 430-011s (CSES-166P)
Urban Nutrient Management Handbook Aug 16, 2019 430-350
Nutrient Management for Golf Courses Jun 1, 2021 430-399 (SPES-332P)
Mowing To Recycle Grass Clippings: Let the Clips Fall Where They May! Jul 8, 2021 430-402 (SPES-337P)
Fall Lawn Care
The fall season is an important transition period of turfgrass growth and development, and the management of your warm- and cool-season grasses at this time of year means a great deal in terms of anticipated success in your lawn the following spring.
Jul 20, 2020 430-520 (SPES-223P)
"Leave" Them Alone: Lawn Leaf Management Jul 10, 2020 430-521 (SPES-212P)
Maintenance Calendar for Warm-Season Lawns in Virginia Sep 25, 2019 430-522 (SPES-161P)
Maintenance Calendar for Cool-Season Turfgrasses in Virginia Sep 25, 2019 430-523 (SPES-162P)
Spring and Summer Lawn Management Considerations for Cool-Season Turfgrasses May 1, 2009 430-532
Spring and Summer Lawn Management Considerations for Warm-Season Turfgrasses May 1, 2009 430-533
Lawn Moss: Friend or Foe?
Moss is a very simple plant that can out-compete turfgrasses under persistently shaded, moist, acidic soils. This publication details the management strategies that make turfgrass more competitive and the chemical management options that help reduce moss populations. This publication also discusses how to propagate and manage moss as part of a shade landscape when turfgrasses are not an option for a lawn.
Apr 18, 2024 430-536 (SPES-566P)
Soil Test Note 14: Athletic Fields, Golf Course Fairways, Sod Production, and Large Industrial/Recreational Lawns Mar 3, 2022 452-244 (SPES-362NP)
Powell River Project - Establishment and Maintenance of Quality Turfgrass on Surface-mined Land Jul 27, 2023 460-127 (CSES-213P)
Lawn Care Safety for the Whole Family During COVID-19
As it is every year at this time, it’s finally spring and the grass is growing. What is different about this year though, is that the kids are home. It might seem like a good idea to send them outside to do some yard work while practicing social distancing—and it is! Fresh air and exercise can help ease the stress of being cooped up inside for months on end.
Apr 9, 2020 ALCE-193NP
Environmental Best Management Practices for Virginia's Golf Courses Jan 7, 2021 ANR-48NP (SPES-284NP)
Fertilizer Applicator Certification Training May 16, 2023 ANR-66 (SPES-505NP)
Accurate Application and Placement of Chemicals on Lawns Feb 12, 2020 BSE-318NP
Managing Human-Wildlife Interactions: Woodland (Microtus pinetorum) and Meadow (Microtus pennsylvaticus) Voles
Estimates of the economic damage caused by meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) and woodland voles (formerly pine vole) (Microtus pinetorum) exceed $5 million annually to agricultural commodities (e.g., vegetable and grain crops, fruit orchards, flowering bulb production), nurseries, Christmas tree plantations, residential landscape plantings, and woodland parcels recently replanted with pine seedlings. This publication focuses on methods to resolve problems associated with the injurious meadow and woodland voles.
Aug 1, 2024 CNRE-181P
2017-2018 Virginia Turfgrass Variety Recommendations
The Maryland-Virginia Turfgrass Variety Recommendation Work Group meets each Spring to consider the previous year’s data from Virginia and Maryland National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) and ancillary trials and to formulate these recommendations. Virginia and Maryland variety recommendations are essentially identical except for specialized grasses and research situations that differ due to adaptation and state regulation.
Jun 30, 2017 CSES-17NP (CSES-195NP)
Optimizing Bermudagrass Athletic Field Winter Survival in the Transition Zone Nov 15, 2017 CSES-200P
A Lawn To Dye For - How to Create a Perfect Lawn: Soil Testing Oct 10, 2024 CSES-34NP
A Lawn To Dye For - How to Create a Perfect Lawn: Watering The Lawn Oct 10, 2024 CSES-35NP
A Lawn To Dye For - How to Create a Perfect Lawn: Dethatching Your Lawn Oct 10, 2024 CSES-36NP
A Lawn To Dye For - How to Create a Perfect Lawn: Lawn Composting Oct 10, 2024 CSES-37NP
A Lawn To Dye For - How to Create a Perfect Lawn: Aerating Your Lawn Oct 10, 2024 CSES-38NP
A Lawn To Dye For - How to Create a Perfect Lawn: Mowing Your Lawn Oct 10, 2024 CSES-39NP
A Lawn To Dye For - How to Create a Perfect Lawn: Fighting Weeds Oct 10, 2024 CSES-40NP
A Lawn To Dye For - How to Create a Perfect Lawn: Choosing The Right Grass Oct 10, 2024 CSES-41NP
A Lawn To Dye For - How to Create a Perfect Lawn: Fighting Lawn Pests Oct 10, 2024 CSES-42NP
A Lawn To Dye For - How to Create a Perfect Lawn: Dealing With Lawn Disease Oct 10, 2024 CSES-43NP
Pollinators in the Out-of-Play Areas of Virginia Golf Courses
This extension publication presents information on how out-of-play areas serve as pollinator-friendly habitats in golf courses. This project also introduces information on the remote sensing approach to monitor the plant health status of this out-of-play areas.
Aug 9, 2023 ENTO-564NP
The Annual Bluegrass Weevil as a Golf Course Pest in Virginia
This extension publication presents information on the biology, phenology monitoring, and damage associated with the annual bluegrass weevil, a key pest of turfgrass under golf course conditions in Virginia. This publication also introduces information on the remote sensing approach to monitor this pest.
Aug 10, 2023 ENTO-565NP
Broad Mite Mar 27, 2024 ENTO-587NP
Recognizing Box Tree Moth in Virginia
Box tree moth (BTM), Cydalima perspectalis (Walker), is a destructive pest of boxwood (Buxus spp.). Native to Asia, BTM spread to Europe in 2006 and into Canada in 2018. BTM was found in New York in 2021, Michigan in 2022, and Ohio in 2023. It has not yet been found in Virginia. BTM feeds on all species of Buxus. Boxwood is a favored ornamental and a staple evergreen shrub cultivated in the US horticultural trade. This fact sheet was developed to help you identify BTM and some of the insects that could be mistaken for it in Virginia.
Mar 29, 2024 ENTO-588NP
Therapeutic Gardening Dec 12, 2022 HORT-66NP (SPES-432NP)
Glyphosate Q & A Sheet Feb 8, 2019 SPES-113NP
2019-20 Virginia Turfgrass Variety Recommendations Jul 22, 2019 SPES-154NP
2020-21 Virginia Turfgrass Variety Recommendations Feb 25, 2021 SPES-237NP (SPES-301NP)
Maintenance Calendar for Bermudagrass Jun 21, 2021 SPES-329NP
Beetlemania Jul 7, 2021 SPES-333NP
Cool-Season Turfgrass Sports Field Maintenance Calendar Jul 22, 2021 SPES-341NP
2021-22 Virginia Turfgrass Variety Recommendations Jul 21, 2021 SPES-343NP
Driving Homeowners ‘Nuts’: Sedge in the Lawn Jul 23, 2021 SPES-344NP
Cool Season Lawn Renovation Sep 16, 2021 SPES-353NP
Managing Fall Armyworms on Lawns Aug 31, 2021 SPES-357NP
A Spreadsheet-Based Soil Test Converter for Turfgrass Professionals and Nutrient Management Planning in Virginia
Nutrient management involves controlling the rate, timing, placement, and application of plant nutrients to grow high-quality plants while protecting the environment. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) are a few elements essential for plant growth. When fertilizer, organic materials, or other compounds containing N and P are applied improperly to agricultural crops, turfgrass, or other landscape plants, these nutrients can be harmful to lakes, streams, or other water resources.
Dec 5, 2023 SPES-60
A Spreadsheet-Based Soil Test Converter for Turfgrass Professionals and Nutrient Management Planning in Virginia - Workbook Dec 5, 2023 SPES-60A
2018-2019 Virginia Turfgrass Variety Recommendations Oct 8, 2018 SPES-66NP
A Spreadsheet-Based Calculator for Lawn Fertilizer and Lime Applications in Virginia
Fertilizing a lawn can seem like a difficult and confusing task, especially for a new homeowner or individuals without turfgrass management experience. When fertilizers and lime are used properly, they can help to remedy nutrient deficiencies, improve plant appearance, stimulate plant growth, and improve stress tolerance in lawns.
Dec 5, 2023 SPES-40P
A Spreadsheet-Based Calculator for Lawn Fertilizer and Lime Applications in Virginia - Workbook Dec 5, 2023 SPES-40A
2022-23 Virginia Turfgrass Variety Recommendations Aug 17, 2022 SPES-421NP
“Lost in the Weeds” part 1 Nov 28, 2022 SPES-441NP
“Lost in the Weeds” part 2 Nov 28, 2022 SPES-442NP
“Let the Clips Fall Where they May” Nov 28, 2022 SPES-443NP
"Don't Guess, Do the Test" Nov 28, 2022 SPES-444NP
“Application Without Calibration" Nov 28, 2022 SPES-445NP
"Fungus Among Us" Nov 28, 2022 SPES-446NP
"PPE and Me" Nov 28, 2022 SPES-447NP
"Don't Waste Water" Nov 28, 2022 SPES-448NP
2023-24 Virginia Turfgrass Variety Recommendations Aug 31, 2023 SPES-518NP
2024-25 Virginia Turfgrass Variety Recommendations
The annual Virginia Turfgrass Variety Recommendation List details the best performing turfgrass varieties as determined over time by replicated field trials conducted by turfgrass scientists at Virginia Tech and the University of Maryland.
Aug 5, 2024 SPES-617NP
Cicada Killers in Managed Turf
Cicada killers (Sphecius speciosus) are quite large and menacing-looking ground nesting wasps that look very menacing to the general public, but are actually quite docile insects unless disturbed. As their name implies, they are a beneficial predator of cicadas. This publication details their identification and management strategies.
Sep 13, 2024 SPES-621NP