Turf Demonstration Project

NOTE: The turf demonstration project has ended with the ending of the US EPA/Sacramento County grant.

We also conducted a follow-up study on controlling weeds in establishing Carex pansa - see here for the peer-reviewed paper in HortTechnology.

Click on specific aspects of this project on the left.

This turf demonstration project compared performance of turf grass species under different irrigation amounts, and evaluated the suitability of California native grass species as turf. Low water-use turf can be an important component in a River-Friendly Landscape*. It can save water, energy and money, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Please refer to the diagram below for number codes.  At this site, nine plots (see #1-3) were used for comparison—three species/blends, each watered at a different rate. For more information visit the Irrigation Trial link at the left.  Grasses used in the trial include:

1. Sedge (2 varieties)
2. 'UC Verde' Buffalo Grass
3. Tall Fescue/Bluegrass blend

Also included at the demonstration site were 3 split plots of California native grass species (#4-6) that have promise as low water-using lawns. Read details about the grasses used at the Native Grass Turf link at the left.

The meadow in the middle (#7-12) was included to show how these and other species perform when left unmowed.  See the Native Grass Meadow link.

This project was funded by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which is administered by the Sacramento County Department of Water Resources. The turf demonstration was established in September, 2010, and the project ran through 2012.

The site was developed and maintained by the Sacramento County UC Cooperative Extension in collaboration with the Southgate Recreation & Park District and UC Master Gardeners.

*River-Friendly landscaping is a holistic approach to sustainable design and maintenance of urban landscapes. For more information, visit www.riverfriendly.org.