Turfgrass IPM
Part 1-Overview

The lawn is an important part of the home landscape. It provides beauty and a place for recreation around the home. Apart from aesthetics, a maintained lawn cools the air in summer and reduces erosion. Lawns reduce noise and improve air quality by trapping dust and pollutants. Lawns will also reduce surface runoff and leaching of fertilizer and pesticides.

Increasingly, the public has been concerned about the use of pesticides around the home landscape. Managing a lawn without primary reliance on pesticides can be achieved using Integrated Pest Management or IPM. IPM helps to maintain an attractive lawn while minimizing pesticide and fertilizer use. IPM does not exclude pesticide use but can reduce or, in some cases, eliminate it.

Homeowners, however, should have a realistic approach to maintaining a lawn with the use of no pesticides. There may be more weeds, an occasional brown spot or other imperfections. These types of problems can be reduced through the use of proper cultural practices. A properly maintained lawn will be vigorous and more tolerant of lawn pests in general.

IPM uses a variety of methods to control pests and maintain plant vigor. Some of these methods include proper seed selection, correct cultural practices, biological controls, weather monitoring and scouting. Pesticides are used only when these methods are unsuccessful at controlling pests and damage is evident. Precise timing and correct application of the least toxic materials is the main concern when using pesticides in IPM..

By Dana Karpowich Turf, IPM Coordinator, University of Connecticut
Reprinted from Hort Impact, Vol. 98-6. pp. 1-3.

Information on our site was developed for conditions in the Northeast. Use in other geographical areas may be inappropriate.

The information in this material is for educational purposes. The recommendations contained are based on the best available knowledge at the time of printing. Any reference to commercial products, trade or brand names is for information only, and no endorsement or approval is intended. The Cooperative Extension system does not guarantee or warrant the standard of any product referenced or imply approval of the product to the exclusion of others which also may be available.All agrochemicals/pesticides listed are registered for suggested uses in accordance with federal and Connecticut state laws and regulations as of the date of printing. If the information does not agree with current labeling, follow the label instructions. The label is the law.Warning! Agrochemicals/pesticides are dangerous. Read and follow all instructions and safety precautions on labels. Carefully handle and store agrochemicals/pesticides in originally labeled containers immediately in a safe manner and place. Contact the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection for current regulations.The user of this information assumes all risks for personal injury or property damage.Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Kirklyn M. Kerr, Director, Cooperative Extension System, The University of Connecticut, Storrs. The Connecticut Cooperative Extension System offers its programs to persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability and is an equal opportunity employer.