Maintenance Guidelines

Installation and Establishment

Installation and the care taken during the initial days that follow are the most critical factors in determining the long-term quality and performance of EMPIRE Turf. Harvesting and transplantation are extremely stressful to any turfgrass and precautionary measures should be taken to help reduce further cultural and environmental stresses. EMPIRE is a tough, hardy turfgrass that once established, produces a beautiful lifetime lawn, landscape, sportsturf or golf course. Proper care, including pre-installation soil preparation and limiting time on the pallet to less than 24 hours yields positive results(see Installation). Improper care, however, can cause death of the turfgrass or damage that results in lengthy recovery and additional expense.


Post Establishment

Mowing: Mowing is a critical and often under appreciated cultural practice:

  • Maintain EMPIRE at 1-2"(1" is optimal)
  • Heights above 2" will reduce quality
  • Can be maintained at heights of 1/2" if regularly mowed with a reel mower
  • Rotary mowers are preferred for heights 1" or higher
  • Reel mowers are preferred for heights below 1"
  • Mow every 7-10 days during the active growing season
  • Mow every 10-14 days, or as needed, during cooler weather
  • Never cut more than 1/3 of the total length of the blade at any one mowing
  • If a scheduled mowing is missed and clippings clump on top of the EMPIRE, bag or vacuum clippings to reduce shade-out
  • Vertical mowing (verticutting) may be performed to renovate EMPIRE



Insecticides: Avoid stress from insects by performing insecticidal applications as needed:

  • For any insecticide application, always read and follow label directions carefully
  • Early identification and treatment of insect stress minimizes inputs and injury
  • Make routine observations of the landscape, and be aware of seasonal pests like billbugs, armyworms and webworms
  • Grubs can reduce quality if critical populations are reached
  • Control armyworms and webworms with Sevin, Orthene, Diazinon or Permethrin-based products
  • Control billbugs with Sevin (adults), Talstar (adults), DeltaGuard (adults), Merit (larval/grub form), Mach2 (larval/grub form)
  • Consult with local experts and see Problem Solving for insecticide recommendations



Herbicides: Proper mowing, irrigation and fertilization of EMPIRE will reduce weed problems. If a weed problem persists:

  • For any herbicide application, always read and follow label directions carefully
  • Improper use of herbicides can severely damage or kill EMPIRE
  • Make routine observations of the landscape being aware of seasonal weeds
  • Identify the type of weed causing the problem before using any chemical controls
  • EMPIRE is tolerant of most commonly used herbicides
  • Consult with local experts and see Problem Solving for herbicide recommendations



Fungicides: EMPIRE has shown resistance to most fungal problems and controls should be used only as needed:

  • For any fungicide application, always read and follow label directions carefully
  • Early identification and treatment of disease stress minimizes inputs and injury
  • Make routine observations of the landscape being aware of unusual symptoms
  • Consider a broad-spectrum fungicide application if predictable seasonal problems are noted
  • Ask your EMPIRE grower to apply fungicide 1-2 weeks prior to harvest during times of high, disease-inducing stress
  • Consult with local experts and see Problem Solving for fungicide recommendations



Irrigation: Established EMPIRE exhibits drought tolerance due to improved plant genetics and growth characteristics:

  • Watering requirements are greatly dependent on soil type, season, geography and other factors
  • Ensure irrigation systems are working properly and covering all areas covered by EMPIRE
  • Make routine observations of the landscape and learn the signs (i.e., wilting) that indicate when irrigation is required
  • Shaded areas and heavy soils require less water than full-sun areas and sandy soils
  • Encourage deep root growth by watering until the soil is moist to a depth of 3”, shallow watering encourages shallow roots
  • Infrequent deep watering maximizes drought resistance and tolerance
  • Visit our Watering Tips for more information on proper irrigation



Fertility: Proper fertility practices will encourage healthy, disease and insect free EMPIRE:

  • Perform soil tests to understand your soil type(s) and condition and best determine your specific fertility needs
  • Generally EMPIRE requires 3 fertilizer applications/year: spring, summer and fall
  • Make routine observations and fertilize according to what the landscape indicates
  • Understand what and how much fertilizer you are applying
  • Avoid disease and insect inducing growth flushes by reducing Nitrogen rates
  • Improve color and limit growth surges by utilizing iron sources
  • Higher Nitrogen rates should only be applied in the spring, for injury recovery, or for planned “peaking” of EMPIRE
  • Apply balanced fertilizers with lower rates of Nitrogen in the summer and fall