Marco Schiavon

0000-0002-6225-1652

Iron for Florida Turfgrasses

Travis W. Shaddox, Travis W. Shaddox, andJ. Bryan Unruh
other_contacts: Marco Schiavon

Watering Your Florida Lawn

Laurie E. Trenholm, Laurie Trenholm, J. Bryan Unruh, John L. Cisar, andJohn L. Cisar
other_contacts: Marco Schiavon

Mowing Your Florida Lawn

L. E. Trenholm, J. B. Unruh, and J. L. Cisar

This document discusses the importance of proper mowing practices for maintaining a healthy lawn in Florida. It highlights how correct mowing height and frequency can enhance turfgrass density, promote deep root growth, and improve resistance to environmental stresses. The article also covers the impact of mowing on turfgrass physiology, the benefits of leaving grass clippings on the lawn, and the types of mowing equipment suitable for different grass species. Additionally, it provides guidelines for safe and effective mowing practices to ensure optimal lawn health and minimize environmental impact. First published: May 1991.

Calcium for Florida Turfgrasses

T. W. Shaddox

How to Calibrate Your Fertilizer Spreader

Travis W. Shaddox, Travis W. Shaddox, J. Bryan Unruh, Laurie E. Trenholm, andLaurie Trenholm
other_contacts: Marco Schiavon

Fertilizer application is only effective if you ensure uniform coverage. Dry fertilizers can be applied with either a drop spreader or a rotary spreader. This publication provides step-by-step instructions for adjusting the sprtead pattern to distribute the fertilizer particles uniformly; then measuring and adjusting the amount of fertilizer spread over the desired area to equal the recommended application rate.

The Florida Fertilizer Label

T. W. Shaddox

The Fate of Nitrogen Applied to Florida Turfgrass

Travis W. Shaddox, Travis W. Shaddox, andJ. Bryan Unruh
other_contacts: Marco Schiavon

Magnesium for Florida Turfgrasses

Travis W. Shaddox andTravis W. Shaddox
other_contacts: J. Bryan Unruh andMarco Schiavon

Nitrogen to Potassium Ratios for Florida Golf Courses

Travis W. Shaddox, Travis W. Shaddox, andJ. Bryan Unruh
other_contacts: Marco Schiavon

Fertility Considerations for Sod Production

Travis W. Shaddox, Travis W. Shaddox, andJerry B. Sartain
other_contacts: J. Bryan Unruh andMarco Schiavon

Recommendations for N, P, K, and Mg for Golf Course and Athletic Field Fertilization Based on Mehlich III Extractant

T. W. Shaddox

Tissue Testing and Interpretation for Florida Turfgrasses

Travis W. Shaddox andTravis W. Shaddox
other_contacts: J. Bryan Unruh andMarco Schiavon

Preparing to Plant a Florida Lawn

L.E. Trenholm, Amy L. Shober, and Eban Z. Bean

La Grama Zoysia para Patios de Florida

Laurie E. Trenholm, J. Bryan Unruh, Marco Schiavon, A. J. Lindsey, Kevin E. Kenworthy, Laurie Trenholm, andAndrea Fernanda Arevalo Albarenga

La grama zoysia se introdujo en los Estados Unidos desde Asia y proporciona un césped atractivo en gran parte de los Estados Unidos. En los últimos años han ingresado al mercado nuevos cultivares de grama zoysia con mejor resistencia a insectos, establecimiento acelerado y mejor rendimiento en general. Escrito por J. Bryan Unruh, Marco Schiavon, Alex J. Lindsey, Kevin E. Kenworthy, L. E. Trenholm, y A. Fernanda Arévalo Alvarenga, y publicado por el UF/IFAS Department of Environmental Horticulture, julio 2022.

El riego de los patios de Florida

Laurie E. Trenholm, Laurie Trenholm, J. Bryan Unruh, Marco Schiavon, andAndrea Fernanda Arevalo Albarenga

El riego es una de las prácticas culturales más importantes para nuestro césped. Debido a que el agua es un recurso limitado y es vital para la salud del césped, es muy importante que se realice correctamente. Esta publicación está destinada a propietarios de casas y encargados de céspedes que quieren saber cómo optimizar el riego de sus patios.

How to Properly Read Your Irrigation Water Analysis for Turf and Landscape

Marco Schiavon andKimberly A. Moore

Because water characteristics can affect soil and plant status, it is important to check water quality periodically. However, water analysis reports are often confusing and cumbersome to read, focused primarily on monitoring sodium contents and little else. This new 3-page publication reviews several important water quality properties that need to be assessed when water samples are sent for analysis. Written by Marco Schiavon and Kimberly Moore.

Selecting a Turfgrass for Florida Lawns

A. J. Lindsey, Marco Schiavon, John L. Cisar, J. Bryan Unruh, andKevin E. Kenworthy

The lawn is an integral part of the landscape and provides many important benefits in our increasingly urbanized environment. A lawn not only elevates the land's aesthetic and economic value, but it also creates a recreational surface, controls erosion, filters pollutants, supplies oxygen, and decreases temperatures in urban settings. This publication is intended for Florida homeowners, landscape maintenance professionals, builders and developers, and Extension agents to help select the best turfgrass species for their situation. Florida turfgrasses vary widely in their adaptive abilities, so choose your turfgrass species wisely. This publication provides information and guidelines to assist in your selection.

Improving Turfgrass Health: Proper Irrigation Techniques

Anthony Halcyon, Mary G. Lusk, andMarco Schiavon

This guide is meant to inform homeowners and landscape personnel about common mistakes to avoid and the importance of using appropriate watering procedures when irrigating turfgrass to further promote the vitality of lawns. Written by Anthony Halcyon, Mary G. Lusk, and Marco Schiavon, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, September 2025.

Homeowner Best Management Practices for the Home Lawn

A. J. Lindsey, Marco Schiavon, J. Bryan Unruh, Laurie E. Trenholm, andLaurie Trenholm

A healthy lawn is an important component of an urban landscape. Not only do lawns increase the value of a property, but they also reduce soil erosion, filter stormwater runoff, cool the air, and reduce glare and noise. A healthy lawn effectively filters and traps sediment and pollutants that could otherwise contaminate surface waters and groundwater. This publication is intended for those who maintain their own lawn and landscapes.

Manejo de contaminaciones de pasto bermuda común [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] en céspedes de Florida

Pawel Petelewicz
translated_by M. Cecilia Sánchez-Quintanilla andMarco Schiavon

Esta publicación sirve como recurso para profesionales del césped, especialistas en Extensión y clientes, en el manejo de infestaciones de la bermuda común en los céspedes de Florida. Las bermudas (Cynodon spp. Rich.) son gramíneas perennes de estación cálida que se utilizan habitualmente en el sur de los Estados Unidos. Aunque algunas variedades se cultivan como forraje, en Florida las bermudas se asocian sobre todo con los sistemas de césped, especialmente en campos de golf y canchas deportivas. La bermuda común [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.], en adelante denominada «bermuda», llega a convertirse en una de las malezas más problemáticas cuando contamina otras especies de césped.

La Grama St. Augustine para Patios de Florida

Laurie E. Trenholm, Marco Schiavon, J. Bryan Unruh, Travis W. Shaddox, Kevin E. Kenworthy, Carlos Balerdi y Henrique Mayer

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet for Homeowner audience(s). in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Plant Systems

Bahiagrass for Florida Lawns

Marco Schiavon, J. Bryan Unruh, Kevin E. Kenworthy, John L. Cisar, Laurie Trenholm, andTravis W. Shaddox
other_contacts: A. J. Lindsey

Bahiagrass was introduced from Brazil in 1914. It was originally used as a pasture grass on the sandy soils of the southeastern United States. Additional varieties have been introduced since that time for use as lawn grasses. Bahiagrass is a low-maintenance lawn grass that does well with limited water and fertilizer inputs. Varieties currently available do not produce a carpet-like, dense lawn like some other warm-season lawn grasses. This publication is intended for homeowners and turfgrass managers that manage bahiagrass in the state of Florida.

Growing Turfgrass in the Shade

A. J. Lindsey, J. Bryan Unruh, Kevin E. Kenworthy, andMarco Schiavon

Many landscapes have shaded areas that can drastically affect turfgrass growth depending on the duration and intensity of shade. The amount of shade present in a landscape varies over time as trees mature and seasons change. Portions of a lawn may have full sun, be heavily shaded throughout the day, or receive partial shade and sunlight. Many partially shaded landscapes provide enough sunlight to support healthy turfgrass; however, constant or heavy shade makes it difficult to maintain adequate turf quality. The amount of sunlight needed by lawn grasses varies by species and, in some cases, by cultivar within species. In areas that receive moderate amounts of shade, certain species and cultivars of grass persist, while other, less shade-tolerant species and cultivars rapidly decline. In these areas, choosing the right turfgrass species and cultivar is important. It is also important to follow specific management practices that can encourage better turfgrass performance in shade.

Centipedegrass for Florida Lawns

J. Bryan Unruh, A. J. Lindsey, andMarco Schiavon

Centipedegrass is a commonly grown, low input turfgrass used in landscapes throughout the state of Florida. This factsheet provide science based information on the culture and management of centipedegrass including mowing, irrigation, pest control, and cultural practices.

Florida Turfgrass Identification

A. J. Lindsey, Claude J. Jean, Marco Schiavon, Kevin E. Kenworthy, andJ. Bryan Unruh

Proper turfgrass identification is required before considering any lawn maintenance practices. Each of the different grasses used for Florida lawns have different management and without accurate identification, mismanagement could occur, leading to undesirable results. Turfgrass identification can be challenging due to the lack of inflorescence or seedheads at certain times in their life cycle or due to being mowed off. Thus, other plant characteristics are used to help with turfgrass identification.

Establishing Your Florida Lawn

A. J. Lindsey, Marco Schiavon, andJ. Bryan Unruh

This publication is intended for Florida homeowners and landscape maintenance professionals to help them successfully establish lawns. The two primary methods of establishing turfgrass are seed and vegetative propagation. Vegetative propagation includes sodding, sprigging, and plugging. Although propagating vegetatively is labor-intensive, all warm-season grasses can be planted by this method. Seeding is usually the easiest and most economical method of planting grasses. However, not all warm-season grasses can establish from seed, and seed establishment requires a longer period to have complete grass cover.

Herbicidas para céspedes: modo de acción y manejo de resistencia

Pawel Petelewicz y J. Bryan Unruh; Traducido por Marco Schiavon y M. Cecilia Sánchez-Quintanilla

Este documento está diseñado como una herramienta para profesionales del césped, productores de tepes, superintendentes en campos de golf, encargados de campos atléticos y deportivos, paisajistas y especialistas en Extensión, con el objetivo de ayudar a desarrollar programas de herbicidas que reduzcan el riesgo de malezas resistentes a herbicidas en los sistemas de céspedes. Este documento es SS-AGR-394-Span, una publicación del Department of Agronomy, UF/IFAS Extension. Publicación original febrero 2025.

Zoysiagrass for Florida Lawns

Laurie E. Trenholm, J. Bryan Unruh, Marco Schiavon, A. J. Lindsey, Kevin E. Kenworthy, Laurie Trenholm, andJohn L. Cisar

Zoysiagrasses were introduced into the United States from Asia and provide attractive turf throughout much of the United States. In recent years, newer cultivars of zoysiagrass have entered the market with improved insect resistance, accelerated establishment, and better overall performance. This 8-page major revision of the Environmental Horticulture Department was written by J. Bryan Unruh, Marco Schiavon, Alex J. Lindsey, Kevin E. Kenworthy, and L. E. Trenholm.

Identificación, Biología, y Manejo de Pata de gallina [Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn.] en Céspedes de Florida

Pawel Petelewicz y Gregory E. MacDonald; traducido por Marco Schiavon y M. Cecilia Sánchez-Quintanilla

Esta publicación es una herramienta destinada a asistir a profesionales del césped, especialistas en Extensión y clientes, en la identificación y el manejo de la maleza conocida como “pata de gallina” o “goosegrass” (en inglés) en los céspedes de Florida. Este documento es SS-AGR-488-Span, una publicación del Department of Agronomy, UF/IFAS Extension. Fecha original de publicación: abril 2025.

Urban Turf Fertilizer Rule for Home Lawn Fertilization

Laurie E. Trenholm andLaurie Trenholm
other_contacts: Marco Schiavon

While a healthy lawn typically takes up and uses applied fertilizer for growth and protein production, nutrients may leach or run off into water bodies or groundwater when fertilizer is overapplied or applied to an unhealthy lawn. In an attempt to reduce this nonpoint source pollution, FDACS developed a rule to regulate the amount of N and P applied to lawns as fertilizer. The Urban Turf Fertilizer Rule regulates what can be sold and marketed as an urban turf fertilizer and requires specific wording on the fertilizer bag. This rule was enacted in response to concerns over potential pollution of water resources resulting from the nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in these fertilizers.

General Recommendations for Fertilization of Turfgrasses on Florida Soils

T. W. Shaddox

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet for Commercial and Homeowner audience(s).

La Grama Bermuda para Patios de Florida

Laurie E. Trenholm, Marco Schiavon y J. Bryan Unruh

La grama o césped Bermuda (Cynodon spp.) está entre las especies macrotermas más utilizadas. Esta publicación está destinada a propietarios de casas y encargados de pasto y césped que manejan grama Bermuda en el paisaje de Florida. Written by Laurie E. Trenholm, Marco Schiavon, J. Bryan Unruh, and Travis W. Shaddox, and published by the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department, July 2021.

La grama centípeda (césped ciempiés) para patios de Florida

J. B. Unruh, A. J. Lindsey y M. Schiavon. Traducido por A. Fernanda Arevalo Alvarenga

El centipedegrass o pasto ciempiés (Eremochloa ophiuroides [Munro] Hack.) se introdujo en los Estados Unidos desde el sureste asiático en 1916. Este pasto está bien adaptado al clima y los suelos del centro y norte de Florida y es el césped residencial más común en el noroeste de Florida. Esta publicación está destinada a entusiastas de césped y paisajismo de Florida, y profesionales en mantenimiento de pasto ciempiés en paisaje residencial y comercial.

Bermudagrass for Florida Lawns

Laurie E. Trenholm, Travis W. Shaddox, Laurie Trenholm, Marco Schiavon, J. Bryan Unruh, andTravis W. Shaddox
other_contacts: A. J. Lindsey

Bermudagrasses are among the most widely used warm-season grasses. Improved, fine-textured bermudagrasses are used throughout the South on golf courses, athletic fields, and in high-profile residential and commercial landscapes where a fine-textured, dense ground cover is desired. This publication reviews current cultivars available in Florida and best management practices for maintaining bermudagrass lawns in Florida. Minor revision by L. Trenholm, M. Schiavon, J.B. Unruh, and T. Shaddox; 5 pp.

St. Augustinegrass for Florida Lawns

Laurie E. Trenholm, Travis W. Shaddox, Laurie Trenholm, Marco Schiavon, J. Bryan Unruh, Travis W. Shaddox, andKevin E. Kenworthy
other_contacts: Henrique Mayer andA. J. Lindsey

St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum [Walt.] Kuntze) is widely adapted to the warm, humid (subtropical) regions of the world. It is believed to be native to the coastal regions of both the Gulf of Mexico and the Mediterranean. St. Augustinegrass is the most commonly used lawn grass in Florida (Figure 1). This publication is intended for homeowners and turfgrass managers that manage St. Augustinegrass in the state of Florida.

Soil Testing and Interpretation for Florida Turfgrasses

Travis W. Shaddox, Travis W. Shaddox, andJerry B. Sartain
other_contacts: J. Bryan Unruh andMarco Schiavon

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet for Commercial audience(s). in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Urban Water

Manejo de Malezas para Patios de Florida

J. Bryan Unruh, Pawel Petelewicz, Laurie E. Trenholm, Erin E. Harlow, y Ramon G. Leon; Traducido por Marco Schiavon

Este documento es una herramienta de apoyo para una audiencia no profesional, que incluye propietarios de viviendas en Florida y a público entusiasta de las plantas, con el objetivo de gestionar de manera efectiva la invasión de malezas en áreas de césped. Sin embargo, este documento también puede ser utilizado por profesionales del césped, incluyendo, entre otros, productores de tepes, superintendentes de campos de golf, gerentes de campos deportivos y de atletismo, gerentes de paisajismo y especialistas de Extensión. Este documento es ENH884-Span, una publicación del Department of Agronomy, UF/IFAS Extension. Publicación original de febrero 2025.

Promoting Turf Recovery Following a Hurricane

J. Bryan Unruh, A. J. Lindsey, Marco Schiavon, Laurie E. Trenholm, andLaurie Trenholm

Devastation from hurricanes can cause multiple problems for turfgrass managers, sod producers, and homeowners. Damage may include visible factors such as prolonged periods of standing water, uprooted trees, shading and obstruction from demolished structures, deposition of silt or mud, and damage to irrigation systems. Less visible problems may include damage to root systems resulting from compacted soil from heavy equipment used during cleanup and recovery, reduced drainage, and injury resulting from effects of saltwater intrusion. Suggested guidelines for correcting these problems are included in the text.

La Grama Bahía para Patios de Florida

Marco Schiavon, J. Bryan Unruh, Kevin E. Kenworthy y Henrique Mayer

Esta publicación está destinada a propietarios de casas y encargados de céspedes que manejan grama Bahía en el paisaje de Florida. Esta es una publicación del UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department. Los autores son Marco Schiavon, J. Bryan Unruh, Kevin E. Kenworthy, y Henrique Mayer. La traducción estuvo a cargo de Marco Schiavon.

Florida Fertilizer Usage Statistics

Travis W. Shaddox, Travis W. Shaddox, andJ. Bryan Unruh
other_contacts: Marco Schiavon

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. Published by Plant Systems

Weed Management Guide for Florida Lawns

J. Bryan Unruh, Pawel Petelewicz, Laurie E. Trenholm, Erin E. Harlow, andRamon Leon

Weeds can be defined as unwanted plants or plants growing out of place. Proper identification and some understanding of how and why weeds are present in a lawn are important when selecting the best control strategy. Knowing if weeds were previously present in an area also helps homeowners prepare control measures in the future. Weed control should be a carefully planned and coordinated program.