Changes

[[File:Example4.jpg|thumb|Longer grass has biodiversity benefits as well as slowing flow on sloped surfaces.]]

[[File:Example4.jpg|thumb|Longer grass has biodiversity benefits as well as slowing flow on sloped surfaces.]]

Resilient [[turf]] grasses are particularly useful in the design of [[vegetated filter strips]], [[dry ponds]] and [[enhanced grass swales]].  

<onlyinclude>Resilient [[turf]] grasses are particularly useful in the design of [[vegetated filter strips]], [[dry ponds]] and [[enhanced grass swales]].  

The Ministry of Transportation have standardised a number of grass mixes<ref>Ontario Provincial Standard Specification. (2014). Construction Specification and for Seed and Cover OPSS.PROV 804. Retrieved from http://www.raqsb.mto.gov.on.ca/techpubs/ops.nsf/0/3a785d2f480f9349852580820062910a/$FILE/OPSS.PROV 804 Nov2014.pdf</ref>. Of particular value may be the 'Salt Tolerant Mix'.  

The Ministry of Transportation have standardized a number of grass mixes<ref>Ontario Provincial Standard Specification. (2014). Construction Specification and for Seed and Cover OPSS.PROV 804. Retrieved from http://www.raqsb.mto.gov.on.ca/techpubs/ops.nsf/0/3a785d2f480f9349852580820062910a/$FILE/OPSS.PROV 804 Nov2014.pdf</ref>. The 'Salt Tolerant Mix' is of particular value for low impact development applications alongside asphalt roadways and paved walkways.

{|Table class="wikitable"

{|Table class="wikitable"

|Hard Fescue||''Festuca trachyphylla''||10 %  

|Hard Fescue||''Festuca trachyphylla''||10 %  

|}

|}

 

==Best practices for mowing==

==Best practices for mowing==

Close mowing removes leaves and increases shoot production, leading to a denser 'velvety' appearance.  

Close mowing removes leaves and increases shoot production, leading to a denser 'velvety' appearance.  

But the damage also reduces the plant's photosynthetic processes and stunts its growth. Notably, when grass is stressed by close pruning, it doesn't have the resources to develop deeper roots. The shallow roots in turf grass make it particularly susceptible to drought conditions and significantly weakens the resiliency of the grass. Any pruning (including mowing) introduces cut edges on the leaf blades, increasing the potential for disease.

But the damage also reduces the plant's photosynthetic processes and stunts its growth. Notably, when grass is stressed by close pruning, it doesn't have the resources to develop deeper roots. The shallow roots in turf grass make it particularly susceptible to drought conditions and significantly weakens the resiliency of the grass. Any pruning (including mowing) introduces cut edges on the leaf blades, increasing the potential for disease.

Turf grass mixtures in Ontario often containa  high proportion of Kentucky Bluegrass <ref>OMAFRA Lawn Establishment July 2008 http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/08-025w.htm#turf Accessed Dec 19, 2017</ref>. For optimal long term health and resiliency, this turf should be cut no shorter than 7 cm. <ref>Karen Panter, Turf and Water, Sept 12, 2013 https://www.slideshare.net/kpanter/turf-and-water Accessed Dec 19, 2017</ref>

Turf grass mixtures in Ontario often contains high proportion of Kentucky Bluegrass <ref>OMAFRA Lawn Establishment July 2008 http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/08-025w.htm#turf Accessed Dec 19, 2017</ref>. For optimal long term health and resiliency, this turf should be cut no shorter than 7 cm. <ref>Karen Panter, Turf and Water, Sept 12, 2013 https://www.slideshare.net/kpanter/turf-and-water Accessed Dec 19, 2017</ref>

Permitting the grass to grow longer also increases the roughness of [[swales]] or [[vegetated filter strips]] which are turfed.  

Permitting the grass to grow longer also increases the roughness of [[swales]] or [[vegetated filter strips]] which are turfed.  

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