Summer Nutrition Playbook
Plants rely on carbohydrates (sugars) produced through photosynthesis to build roots, shoots, and stems, and to store energy for stressful periods. When sugar production slows under heat stress and respiration accelerates, reserves drop sharply. This imbalance is the critical challenge of summer. Effective nutrition planning during this period is essential to maintain turf energy and performance.
The aim of summer nutrition is to support availability of sugars and amino acids to sustain energy and aid moisture availability in rhizosphere.
Characteristics of Summer
√ High light intensity and temperatures.
√ Cool season turf growth can decline.
√ Variable soil moisture quality and quantity.
√ CSG depletes energy reserves as photosynthesis is compromised by high temps and light intensity. Reduced sugars make synthesis of amino acids challenging. Amino acids are the turf’s building blocks.
Key management areas during summer
√ Turf stress
√ Turf energy
√ Water quality
√ Soil moisture and health
Summer stress on turfgrass
Managing turf stress
GOING INTO STRESS
√ Manage growth rate to growth potential – use of PGRs to control excess growth.
√ MP Reinforce throughout Summer to harden leaf.
√ Apply MP Vitalise to supply amino acids throughout Summer.
√ MP Filter Plus to supply stress hormones to trigger turf stress mechanisms
IN STRESS
√ Minimise nitrogen but keep supplying small amounts.
√ MP Foundation and MP Energise for immediate energy supply.
√ MP Vitalise at 20-40 L/ha if turf decline
√ TriActiv 12-24 L / Ha as a curative solution for turf under stress
√ MP Safe K if poor quality water.
COMNG OUT OF STRESS
√ Rebuilding energy reserves and stimulate new growth:
– MP Vitalise
– MP Refresh – start new growth.
– MP Safe N – stimulate extra turf growth.
– TriActiv 10L / Ha
Recovery Plan
√ Re engineer rhizosphere.
√ Provide carbon as food for soil biology.
√ Build carbohydrates back up.
√ Prepare warm season grass for winter dormancy.
Moisture Management
Maintain moisture in the rhizosphere to keep soil biology connected.
Need a hand in managing summer stressors?
Talk to your Living Turf Technical Representative to develop a custom solution for your grounds.