Lawn Demonstration Plots
The objective of this study is to compare the differences in weed populations and grass health between plots of the following treatments:
Treatments
Treatment one: No fertilizer, no herbicide and no lime.
Treatment two: Fertilize according to soil tests* with an addition of 2.5 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet (learn what that means) and 1 pound of potassium.
Also apply seed in the early spring and every 3 weeks after initial germination.
(*soil tests do not make recommendations for nitrogen)
Treatment three: Fertilize and herbicide on schedule, in following a “step” program.
Products and Applications
All applications made were in terms of pounds per 1,000 square feet. So no matter how large the plot is, this webpage will be written as though each plot is 1,000 square feet. That way any home owner can take this information and translate it onto their lawn.
To learn more about how to determine how many pounds of nitrogen are in the fertilizer used, read the fact sheet “Does my lawn measure up"
The seed used was 58% Perennial Rye, 20% Kentucky Blue grass, 22 % Fescue.
The fertilizer used for treatment two was 26-0-11.
The fertilizer used for the first application for treatment three was a weed and feed product containing 32-3-8 and 1.22% Pendamethalin (a pre-emergent to prevent crabgrass).
The type of lime used was dolomitic lime.
The potassium source was potash 0-0-60.
There are two locations for this project. One is a lawn in Nottingham, and the other
is a lawn in Concord. This webpage will follow the project throughout the year by providing information about what treatments are done and the observations that
are made throughout the growing season.
Each lawn was measured into a perfect square plot for this demonstration.
The square was then broken up into 6 blocks. Each treatment was given two blocks. The diagrams that follow show the treatments and observations that have happened this spring, and also what is scheduled to happen throughout the season.
