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1995, No. 4
"Canada Green" Turfgrass Seed
Recently, several people have called requesting information about the "Canada Green" turfgrass seed that has been advertised for sale in the Sunday magazine section of several Illinois newspapers.
The lawn seed is available from Tristar Products of Laureldale, Pennsylvania, and is advertised to produce a ". . .
Beautiful Grass That Stays Green Year-Round, From Florida to Alaska."
The cost for this seed ranges from $19.90 to plant 1,000 square feet, to $36.90 to plant 3,000 square feet.
After speaking with a Tristar Products' customer service representative, it was learned that "Canada Green" turfgrass seed is a mix comprised of:
- 41.3% creeping red fescue (variety not stated);
- 30.0% Kentucky bluegrass (variety not stated);
- 25.0% annual ryegrass;
- 2.7% inert matter;
- 0.5% other crop seed; and
- 0.5% weed seed.
The University of Illinois turfgrass program has not tested "Canada Green" turfgrass, and thus, does not recommend its use in Illinois.
Although these turf species are locally adapted, we normally recommend named cultivars or varieties of turfgrass and do not recommend annual ryegrass for permanent turf use.
Water, Water, Water
Because the weather has been dry throughout much of the area this late summer-early autumn, it will be important that turf managers irrigate to take advantage of the normal growth cycles of cool season turfgrasses.
Water will be necessary:
- to promote germination and development of newly seeded turfs;
- to promote establishment of newly sodded turfs;
- to promote turf recovery in areas damaged by this summer's weather; and
- to promote active growth of broadleaf weeds in areas where these weeds will be treated with a postemergence herbicide this autumn.
(TOM VOIGT)
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