This publication provides direction on estimating soil moisture by the "feel and appearance" method; taking a some soil and rolling it up in a ball then squeezing it between your thumb and forefinger to form a ribbon and noting how it appears and feels. Compare what you see with photographs and/or charts to estimate percent water available and the inches depleted below field capacity.
Independent of which system or mix of systems a grower uses, irrigation management can be challenging. An irrigation program must match the changing demands of the crop with the water supplied.
When trying to minimize irrigation inputs, the best turfgrass species for the Oregon climate include perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) in Western Oregon, Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) in Central/Eastern Oregon and...
Alyssa Cain, Alec Kowalewski, Brian McDonald, Clint Mattox |
Jan 2021 |
Extension Catalog publicationPeer reviewed (Orange level)
Maintaining a healthy lawn requires a little knowledge and a big commitment to regular maintenance. Learn what it takes, from seeding or sodding to fertilizing, watering, mowing and aerating.
Cool-season perennial and annual forages often struggle during the heat of summer. Fortunately, there are some strategies to consider — including planting drought-tolerant forages, warm-season grasses and annual legumes.
Properly timed maintenance is the key to having a nice lawn. Watering, mowing, fertilizing or dethatching at the wrong time yields poor results. Here's how to maintain a healthy lawn in Central Oregon.