Green Industries Best Management Practices manual

promotes deeper rooting, which is one of the keymechanisms of stress tolerance for turfgrasses.• Reduce fertilizer applications to turf growing inshade. The grass grows more slowly in a shaded environment,which reduces fertility needs. Too muchnitrogen fertilizer depletes carbohydrates and producesa weaker turf system. If you normally apply 4 poundsof nitrogen per 1,000 square feet yearly, apply 2.5 to 3pounds to turf growing in the shade. Limit any singlefertility application to no more than 0.5 pounds ofnitrogen per 1,000 square feet at any one time.• Water use is substantially reduced under shaded conditions,so adjust irrigation accordingly. If the irrigationsystem covers an area that is partially shaded andpartially in sun, consider removing the sprinkler headsfrom the shaded areas and irrigate by hand when rainfallis inadequate.• Avoid the effects of vehicle and foot traffic. The grassis more easily injured by traffic if growing in shade,and may not be able to recover adequately. Also, trafficin shady areas may damage a tree’s roots, resulting inthe decline or death of the tree.• Monitor for weed pressure. Weeds are able to outcompeteturf in certain situations, and will seek out thoseopportunities. In a shaded environment, lateral turfgrassgrowth and ground cover may be sparse, leavingbare ground suitable for certain weeds. Treatment witha pre- or post-emergence herbicide may be necessary.Use caution, however, when applying any chemicaltreatment to a shaded lawn, as there is a greater chanceof phytotoxicity (toxicity to plants) when a grass isunder stress. Also, many herbicides can damage landscapetrees and shrubs.• Monitor for disease pressure. In many shaded environments,there is less air movement and more humidity,which may increase the possibility of disease. Again,use caution if applying pesticides to a turf that isalready under environmental stress.In particularly troublesome areas, consider other groundcovers besides turf. Examples include ivies (Hedera spp.),liriope (Liriope spp.), mondo grass (Ophiopogon spp.), andAsiatic jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum).Remember, the key to a successful landscape is “RightPlant, Right Place.”10FLORIDA FRIENDLY BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES for Protection of Water Resources by the Green Industries