J. Bryan Unruh

Specialist

J. Bryan Unruh
0000-0003-3621-7861

Specialist

professor and associate center director, UF/IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center, Jay, FL

WFREC Profile

Publications

Iron for Florida Turfgrasses

Travis W. Shaddox and J. Bryan Unruh

Watering Your Florida Lawn

Laurie E. Trenholm, J. Bryan Unruh, and John L. Cisar

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.

How to Calibrate Your Fertilizer Spreader

Travis W. Shaddox, J. Bryan Unruh, and Laurie E. Trenholm

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 Fate of Nitrogen Applied to Florida Turfgrass

Travis W. Shaddox and J. Bryan Unruh

Nitrogen to Potassium Ratios for Florida Golf Courses

Travis W. Shaddox and J. Bryan Unruh

La Grama Zoysia para Patios de Florida

J. Bryan Unruh, Marco Schiavon, Alex J. Lindsey, Kevin E. Kenworthy, L. E. Trenholm y A. Fernanda Arévalo Alvarenga

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.

Synthetic Turfgrass and the Nine Principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping™

Jason Kruse, Bryan Unruh, Jennifer Marvin, Tom Wichman, Lynn Barber, Norma Samuel, John Bossart, Claire Lewis, and Esen Momol

Synthetic turf is a manufactured product that utilizes synthetic fibers that mimic the aesthetic look of natural grass. While designed to imitate the look of natural turf, synthetic turf does not provide the ecosystem benefits of a natural turf system. This publication examines the properties of synthetic turf in relation to each of FFL’s nine principles. A new publication of the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department; 4 pages.

El riego de los patios de Florida

L. E. Trenholm, J. B. Unruh. M. Schiavon y A. Fernanda Arevalo Alvarenga

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.

Bahiagrass for Florida Lawns

Marco Schiavon, J. Bryan Unruh, and Kevin E. Kenworthy

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

Selecting a Turfgrass for Florida Lawns

A. J. Lindsey, Marco Schiavon, J. Bryan Unruh, and Kevin 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.

Homeowner Best Management Practices for the Home Lawn

Alex J. Lindsey, Marco Schiavon, J. Bryan Unruh, and Laurie E. 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.

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

Growing Turfgrass in the Shade

A. J. Lindsey, J. Bryan Unruh, Kevin E. Kenworthy, and Marco 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. B. Unruh, A. J. Lindsey, and M. 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

Alex J. Lindsey, Claude J. Jean, Marco Schiavon, Kevin E. Kenworthy, and J. 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, and J. 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.

Guidelines for Hiring a Florida-Friendly Landscape Professional

Esen Momol, Claire Lewis, Tom Wichmann, Elisha Cash, Jennifer Marvin, Michelle Atkinson, Julie McConnell, Kristina McIntyre, Chris Marble, Bryan Unruh, Lynn Barber, Stacie Greco, Ben Bolusky, Merry Mott, Deirdre Irwin, Betsy McGill, Cheryl Harris, E

Many residents evaluate their landscape professionals on price alone; however, quality landscaping is an investment in your property. Knowing what to look for in a landscape professional will help you get the most for your investment, ensure your yard reaches its greatest potential and protect Florida’s water and other natural resources. This new 7-page document, published by the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department, is intended to provide guidance to residents and entities such as HOA community associations when hiring a landscape professional.

Zoysiagrass for Florida Lawns

J. Bryan Unruh, Marco Schiavon, Alex J. Lindsey, Kevin E. Kenworthy, and L. E. Trenholm

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.

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.

thumbnail for publication: Urban Fertilizer Ordinances in the Context of Environmental Horticulture and Water Quality Extension Programs: Frequently Asked Questions

Urban Fertilizer Ordinances in the Context of Environmental Horticulture and Water Quality Extension Programs: Frequently Asked Questions

Michael D. Dukes, Lisa Krimsky, Mary Lusk, Laurie Trenholm, Bryan Unruh, Michelle Atkinson, Rao Mylavarapu, and Bernard Cardenas

The purpose of this document is to provide background information to all stakeholders—including scientists, legislators, local governments, landscape managers, Extension agents, Master Gardener Volunteers, homeowners, and the general public—on the underlying issues of fertilizer use, with an emphasis on an urban setting, and to outline the current state of the science on urban fertilizers and water quality in Florida. This information is presented in response to 12 frequently asked questions (FAQs) that also include discussion of several technological and regulatory solutions that have been adopted around the state. Written by Michael D. Dukes, Lisa Krimsky, Mary Lusk, Laurie Trenholm, Bryan Unruh, Michelle Atkinson, Rao Mylavarapu, and Bernard Cardenas, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, revised August 2024.

Effects of Urban Fertilizer Ordinances on Water Quality

Alexander J. Reisinger, Michael D. Dukes, Basil V. Iannone III, J. Bryan Unruh, and Samuel J. Smidt

Originating from environmental or humans sources, too much nitrogen (N) and/or phosphorus (P) in water bodies can degrade water quality. In an attempt to reduce the contribution of human sources of N and P to local waters, urban fertilizer ordinances have been adopted in at least 35 counties in Florida and 97 additional Florida municipalities. Despite this work, the efficacy of fertilizer ordinances are debated by end users. The purpose of this publication is to summarize a peer-reviewed, scientific article that investigated impacts of fertilizer on long-term water quality trends in Florida lakes (Smidt et al. 2022) and is intended to be used by UF/IFAS Extension faculty and/or regulatory officials considering adopting or modifying an urban fertilizer ordinance. We encourage green industry professionals and concerned community members to share the effectiveness of fertilizer ordinances.

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.

Turfgrass Herbicides: Mode of Action and Resistance Management

Pawel Petelewicz and J. Bryan Unruh

This document is a tool for turfgrass professionals, sod producers, golf course superintendents, athletic and sports fields managers, landscape managers, and extension specialists to help develop herbicide programs that reduce the risk of herbicide resistant weeds in turfgrass systems.

Bermudagrass for Florida Lawns

Laurie E. Trenholm, Marco Schiavon, J. Bryan Unruh, and Travis W. Shaddox

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, Marco Schiavon, J. Bryan Unruh, Travis W. Shaddox, and Kevin E. Kenworthy

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.

Florida Sod Inventory and Pricing Report—2025

Alex J. Lindsey, Natasha Restuccia, J. Bryan Unruh, and Kevin E. Kenworthy

The University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and the Turfgrass Producers of Florida conducted their first sod inventory and pricing survey. The purpose of the survey was to determine the sod inventory levels, prices, and markets for Florida. This publication is intended for sod producers and end users to evaluate sod production and availability in Florida.

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, and L. E. 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.

Fertilization and Irrigation Needs for Florida Lawns and Landscapes

R. Klein, A.J. Lindsey, M. McMillan, J. B. Unruh, and M.D. Dukes

Florida Friendly Landscaping™ Best Management Practices (BMPs) for management of commercial and residential lawns and landscapes were developed by scientists with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). These BMPs assist homeowners and professionals in making management choices that will help sustain lawns and landscapes in Florida without impairing Florida’s water resources.

Weed Management Guide for Florida Lawns

J. Bryan Unruh, Pawel Petelewicz, Laurie E. Trenholm, Erin E. Harlow, and Ramon G. 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.

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.