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Six years ago I had my backyard sodded with Meyer's zoyisagrass. I was told to aerate it once a year and about every two years to topdress areas that had settled with sand to build it up to the height of the rest of the yard. This could take time because you don't want to cover up the grass. Should I use sand?
Sand would work, but I prefer topdressing with a soil similar to what you have in the rootzone.
Brad S. Fresenburg
Extension Research Associate
University of Missouri Turfgrass Research Center
My Kentucky bluegrass needs replacing. I'm looking for a low-maintenance alternative. An article in our local paper said buffalograss does not require a lot of mowing. Is it possible to grow buffalograss in Connecticut?
You probably need to contact your local extension service and get their recommendations for your area about buffalograss. A good seed source would be SeedSuperStore.com. They will mail directly to your door. Keep in mind that buffalograss will not have the same look as bluegrass -- it has a dull green color and finer texture and is not as dense as bluegrass. It is a warm-season grass that will go dormant in the winter, and due to its loose density can have more weed problems. Again it would be best for you to check with your local state university's extension service.
Brad S. Fresenburg
Extension Research Associate
University of Missouri Turfgrass Research Center
What type of grass requiring minimal maintenance would be best for a small orchard in northwest Missouri?
Many orchards use the K-31 tall fescue. Seed at about seven to eight pounds per 1,000 square feet to create more of a lawn appearance. It is deep rooted for good drought tolerance and should do well with only two fertilizations in the fall.
Brad S. Fresenburg
Extension Research Associate
University of Missouri Turfgrass Research Center
I'm trying to find some type of grass to grow on a very wooded portion of my lot. I thought buffalograss might work, but it seems to require too much sun. In the summertime the area is completely shaded and gets little if any sunlight. What kind of grass do you recommend?
Buffalograss is not very tolerant of shade.
Recommendations for shaded areas involve a mixture of shade-tolerant fescues, bluegrasses and fine-leaf fescues -- something along the line of a 70/30 mixture of fescue/bluegrass with 30 percent fine fescue. Arid and Alamo tall fescues along with Nassau, Glade, Nuglade and Challenger bluegrasses are shade-tolerant varieties.
The fine fescues I recommend are Jamestown II and Shademaster II. Figure about four pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet if mostly bluegrasses are used, six to seven pounds if mostly fescues are used, and about five pounds if a combination of all three.
Brad S. Fresenburg
Extension Research Associate
University of Missouri Turfgrass Research Center
What type of bermuda grass grows well in the Kansas City area?
You have a choice of seeded or vegetative varieties. Seeded varieties include Mirage, Princess, Blackjack, Jackpot, Sundevil II, and a new variety, Riviera. Vegetative varieties include Midlawn, Midfield and Quickstand.
Brad S. Fresenburg
Extension Research Associate
University of Missouri Turfgrass Research Center
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Updated 8/4/05