Author: Bruce Scott

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Colorado Blue™ Kentucky Bluegrass Sod

Colorado Blue™ is a drought tolerant blend of elite Kentucky bluegrasses that is a fine textured and very dense turf.

Genetic diversity, top varieties

Colorado Blue™ is a drought tolerant blend of elite Kentucky bluegrasses that is a dense, fine textured turf. Kentucky bluegrass is a cool season grass that is well adapted to northern climates. Green Valley Turf Co. has selected four top trial varieties of Kentucky bluegrass to form our Colorado Blue™ Kentucky bluegrass sod. The varieties selected are top performers in the mountain west region and are well adapted to Colorado’s erratic weather. Colorado Blue™ thrives in moderate to high heat and tolerates extremely cold temperatures. The use of multiple Kentucky bluegrass varieties in the Colorado Blue™ sod adds genetic diversity for improved pest resistance and enables the sod to be used for a wide range of applications.

Ability to survive drought

Colorado Blue™ forms a dense, dark green sod with a fine leaf texture. Deep roots are produced in the early spring and again in the fall. During extreme summer heat, Colorado Blue™ sod has the ability to go into dormancy and survive extended periods without water. Our Colorado Blue™ Kentucky bluegrass can be maintained at mowing heights of 3.5 inches to as low as a half an inch, making it the perfect choice for home lawns, parks, and sport complexes. Kentucky bluegrass has excellent wear tolerance, and produces the safest surface for family activities and athletic events.

Thick, dense turf

The semi-aggressive nature of these elite varieties in our Colorado Blue™ produces the highest wear rating of any of our sods. Great year round color and thick density makes this sod an attractive choice for a wide variety of applications.

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Legacy Buffalograss Sod

Legacy is a second generation turf-type buffalograss that forms a moderately dense stand of turf.

A slow growing grass

Buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloides) is a warm season grass that is native to Colorado.  Uniquely adapted to our semi-arid climate, buffalograss performs well at elevations up to 6,500 feet. In Colorado, buffalograss begins to green up around May.  The peak growing season is during the heat of the summer, and fall dormancy is initiated with frost typically during the month of September. Buffalograss has a slow, vertical growth that reaches a maximum height of about 6 inches. Because of this, Legacy does not require a set mowing schedule. If you’re looking for a more natural look, Legacy can be left un-mowed without ever looking matted or neglected. However, a more manicured look can be achieved by mowing every 2 weeks at a mowing height of 2 inches. The unique characteristics of Buffalograss led to extensive research at the University of Nebraska to develop varieties for commercial production that contained the same traits that attracted people to buffalograss initially. The Legacy variety of buffalograss originated from Nebraska’s research and won the “Green Thumb” award in 2001 for the top new plant introduction of the year.

Requires substantially less water and mowing

Legacy is a second generation turf-type buffalograss that forms a moderately dense stand of turf. The vegetatively propagated all-female grass has very few seed and pollen heads and is only available in plugs or sod. Legacy has a soft and narrow blade, making it ideal for lawns. Legacy requires substantially less water than other sod forming grasses, thriving on only ¼ an inch of water per week. Once established, there can be up to an 80% reduction of water requirements compared with traditional cool season lawn grass. Be sure not to over water established buffalograss since it encourages weed invasion and makes the grass less aggressive. Legacy buffalograss spreads through stolons, which are above ground lateral runners that allow the grass to fill in bare areas. There are low fertility requirements, needing only ½ lbs to 2 lbs of nitrogen per year, applied in May and July. Buffalograss needs full sun to really thrive.

Turf-type Buffalograss sod

Legacy is in a league of its own when it comes to efficient water use and low irrigation requirements. Properly established and maintained Legacy buffalograss will form a beautiful and quality sage-green sod lawn with far less effort than other traditional cool season grasses.

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RTF® Water Saver Sod

RTF® Water Saver sod is a self-repairing rhizomatous tall fescue that has a deep root system for increased water savings.

Self-repairing Tall Fescue sod

RTF® Water Saver Tall Fescue is an exciting new self-repairing grass.  RTF stands for “Rhizomatous Tall Fescue.”  Rhizomes are underground plant structures that cause the grass to spread and fill in weak or damaged areas.  The rhizomes in RTF are similar to the runners on strawberry plants, only these are underground.  Aesthetically, RTF is a pleasing dark green color.  RTF exhibits excellent spring green up and maintains good color throughout the summer and into late fall.  With a slightly courser leaf texture than traditional sod, RTF adds a pleasant texture to home lawns and commercial landscapes.

Deep root system

RTF is characterized by an extensive fibrous root system that excels at extracting water from deep within the soil profile.  Trials conducted at the University of New Mexico show that RTF can maintain high turf quality and use up to 30% less water.  RTF performs well in full sun and in sites with moderate to high shade.

Sun and Shade

RTF is well adapted to mowing heights of 2.5 inches or can be left un-mowed for a wispy, natural look.  Additionally, RTF is a low thatch producing grass and does not require core aeration for organic thatch removal as frequently as other grasses.   RTF® Water Saver Tall Fescue is an all around performer and another great option for Colorado landscapes.

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SPF30 Texas Hybrid Sod

SPF30 is a hybridized bluegrass that combines the turf quality characteristics of Kentucky bluegrass and the drought tolerance of Texas bluegrass.

Drought stress and high heat

SPF30 sod is a hybridized bluegrass that combines the turf quality characteristics of Kentucky bluegrass and the drought tolerance of Texas bluegrass. The strong spreading rhizomatous nature of this grass provides accelerated recovery from extreme heat and drought situations. Rhizomes originate from the crown of the plant, the central growing point, and spread laterally underground. From rhizomes, new plants are produced that fill in bare spots and form a thick knitted sod. SPF30 is also characterized by an extensive root system that performs better in high heat than traditional Kentucky bluegrass. Similar to Kentucky bluegrass, SPF30 will enter dormancy during extended periods of drought.

Full sun to moderate shade

Growing traits of SPF30 include a fine leaf texture characterized by a pleasant deep green color. SPF30 grows well in a wide range of soil types.  The heat and cold tolerance is also excellent.  Adaptable to a wide range of climatic regions, Thermal Blue performs well from northern climates to the southern transitional zone.  From full sun to moderate shade, SPF30 is a uniquely adaptable grass that produces high quality turf. 

Lower maintenance sod

Maintenance of SPF30 is similar to Kentucky bluegrass. Fertilizer applied at 3 to 4 lbs. of nitrogen per year will produce a high quality lawn. At reduced fertility, SPF30 maintains acceptable turf quality. Fertilization should be applied primarily in the spring and fall to encourage extensive root growth in preparation for summer stress periods.

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CONTROL SPRING CRABGRASS

Combat grassy weeds in your yard with a spring application of pre-emergent herbicides.

Pre-emergent herbicides form a barrier against crabgrass germination

Pre-emergent herbicides can be useful in maintaining a healthy lawn. Herbicides can be categorized as either pre-emergent or post emergent. Post emergent herbicides are applied to the foliage of weeds that are already growing and are visible in your lawn. Pre-emergent herbicides form a barrier in the top inch of the soil and prevent emerging seedlings.

Crabgrass likes heat

Pre-emergent herbicides are most effective on annual grassy weeds like crabgrass, barnyard grass, and goosegrass. Crabgrass creeps in where the soil heats up earlier in the year and where the edges of the lawn are exposed. Colorado homeowners often experience crabgrass infestation adjacent to sidewalks, patios and hardscapes.

Stop crabgrass from germinating

A great way to combat these grassy weeds is to apply a spring application of pre-emergent. Pre-emergent herbicides can be purchased in liquid or granular form. In granular form, many pre-emergent products are combined with fertilizer. In Colorado, the best time to apply a pre-emergent herbicide is March to early April before grassy weeds germinate. It is best to aerate prior to applying pre-emergent so the chemical barrier is not broken. Due to large swings in temperature during late winter and early spring in Colorado, grassy weeds start appearing in March and April. When conditions favor earlier than normal crabgrass germination and you have missed pre-emergent application, use a post emergent herbicide to eradicate crabgrass. Post emergent applications for crabgrass are most effective in the early or juvenile stage of weed growth. Be sure to spray when the temperatures are above 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

When your grassy weed problem is limited to border areas of your lawn, consider a 3 foot band application of pre-emergent as an alternative to a blanket application over your entire lawn.

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Thanks for the Snow

Spring snow blankets Green Valley Turf Co. in Littleton, Colorado.

Welcome the moisture

The last two weeks of February have finally ushered in snow along the Front Range; you remember the white stuff. While many bemoan the shoveling and icy roads, winter enthusiasts invoke images of powder days on the slopes. No matter what your perspective is on snow, it is a much needed welcome shot of moisture.

Snow insulates your lawn

Snow cover on your lawn is very beneficial during the winter months. Snow not only provides much needed moisture for grass and plants, but also forms a protective insulating shield from damaging cold, dry conditions.  Snow cover can be particularly beneficial on sun exposed, south facing areas. The absence of snow cover may necessitate winter watering of grass, trees, and shrubs to insure a healthy landscape come spring.

Snow stops mite damage to your lawn

Weakened drought stressed grass is particularly susceptible to damage from mites. These tiny insects can often be seen in mass numbers in late winter through spring on south facing structures like the side wall of a house. Treatment for both banks grass and clover mites can be as simple as keeping areas prone to drought stress watered or covered with snow. Enjoy the white stuff; it does more than cause slippery roads. Snow is exactly what your lawn needs.