SOD SPECIFICATIONS
General Description
GN-1 is a dark green, medium textured hybrid Bermuda bred in Southern California. It is one of the first hybrid Bermudagrasses bred and grown in sod production within California since the introduction of Santa Ana in 1968. A result of seven years of breeding and three generations of crosses of Bermudagrasses from Africa, Australia and the United States, GN-1 also underwent an additional four years of observation in Camarillo, Bakersfield, Hesperia and Fallbrook, Calif. The result is an outstanding hybrid Bermudagrass capable of professional sports turf performance yet manageable for cities, schools, park and recreation districts and the home-owner hybrid enthusiast.
Recommended Uses
GN-1 is recommended for most residential and commercial turf areas where hybrid Bermuda is desired. It is an ideal sports turfgrass with excellent performance for football, soccer, baseball and golf fairways and tees. With lower maintenance requirements than both Santa Ana and Tifway grasses, GN-1 is a great alternative where reductions in equipment, man-power and budgets have reduced overall turf maintenance programs.
Composition
GN-1 is grown from high-quality stolons which have been propagated in a controlled cultural environment. This results in a high quality, healthy sod that is virtually free of weeds, harmful turf insects and disease.
Measurements
GN-1 is harvested by machine to a uniform thickness of ¨ú inch, plus or minus 1/8 inch, plus top growth. GN-1 is shipped as five square foot sections of sod measuring 15 inches wide by 48 inches long. "Big Roll" harvesting is available upon request.
Shipping Standards
Prior to harvesting, GN-1 is mowed to a uniform height of approximately 3/4 inch. It is folded with the soil facing out to protect the turf from damage, and the sod is stacked on pallets. Each full pallet contains approximately 500 square feet of sod. GM-1 is shipped sufficiently dry for transportation and handling, yet moist enough to facilitate installation. It should be installed immediately after delivery.
Temperature Tolerance
GN-1 is both heat and drought tolerant, and when properly maintained can withstand temperatures in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Wear Resistance
During the growth season, GN-1 aggressive rhizome and stolon growth provide an extremely wear-resistant turf that recovers quickly from damage.
Shade Tolerance
GN-1 prefers a full sun location with little or no shade.
Color
GN-1 has an exceptionally dark green color during the growing season and with proper maintenance produces little seed head.
Dormancy
Along Southern California's coastal belt, properly maintained GN-1 exhibits good "winter color" during mild or moderate winters. Dormancy in inland areas will generally last from late November through the middle of March.
Salt Tolerance
GN-1 has a very good tolerance to saline soil and water found in both coastal and desert areas.
Thatch
Of the commercially available hybrid Bermudas, GN-1 produces only a low to moderate amount of thatch and develops less thatch than Santa Ana or Tifway grasses. Maintenance practices that include a regular mowing schedule during the growing season, a low to moderate fertilization program and an annual verticutting will help keep thatch under control.
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