For Turf Managers: Seeded Couch vs Sprigs
There are two methods available that can be used to incorporate warm season grasses in your turf:
- Sprigs
- Seeded warm season grasses
Now that summer is approaching it is time to incorporate warm season grasses in your turf surface.
Reasons in favour of using seed are:
- Seed can be stored & planted as needed, especially when bad weather disrupts the job or machinery breakdowns occur.
- Sprigs start to degrade as soon as harvested and cannot be stored if the job is held up.
- Seed does not need as much water to establish as sprigs.
- Seed will provide considerably more potential plants per square metre than sprigs when the recommended application rate is applied.
- Seed in some areas can be covered in less time than sprigs. Sprigs can take up to 8-10 weeks.
- Seeded couch is also an option for interseeding existing line planting jobs (as pictured above).
- This enables the surface to cover more quickly and be available for spray earlier.
- For a new surface, spray with glyphosate which knocks out the competition immediately and plant bermudagrass when the surface is turning brown or bare. If using a selective herbicide, always check to see when you can oversow without harming the germination.
- Seed is a much cheaper option than sprigs.
Overall, seeded couches have proven more salt tolerant than the hybrid bermuda varieties (cynodon dactylon v. transluclensis). If planting into an existing ryegrass surface, Plant Growth Regulator can be used which will slow the ryegrass growth for 6-8 weeks, giving the couch seed a better chance to establish.
Why not consider seeded warm season grasses for you next project ??
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