Turf Tips
2017 Turf Weed Control for Professionals, Now Available
Now available, the revised edition of Turfgrass Weed Control for Professionals. This sixth edition, released in February 2017, includes major modifications including: Eleven states (IA, IL, KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, NE, NY, OH, WI) were added as well as their experts as collaborators to transform this to a multi-state publication. The identification of 105 weeds […]
Rounds 4 Research: Auction is Open until May 7. Support the Purdue Turf Program
The 2017 Rounds 4 Research auction is now open. The auction is open May 1-7, 2017 with proceeds going to support turf research at Purdue University and in Indiana through the Midwest Regional Turf Foundation. Fundraising supports research and education programs for the benefit of golf course management professionals, golf facilities, and the game. This […]
Crabgrass is out in full force in 2016!
Why is crabgrass so bad this year? Several factors contribute to a bad year for crabgrass. Crabgrass is a warm-season grass meaning that it thrives in hot conditions with optimum growth in temperatures ranging from 88 to 95 °F. However, our primary lawn species in Indiana are cool-season grasses and they prefer cooler conditions and […]
Turf and Landscape Field Day on July 12, 2016
On Tuesday, July 12, 2016 the Purdue Turf Program and the Midwest Regional Turf Foundation will host the Turf and Landscape Field Day. The Turf and Landscape Field Day is Indiana’s largest green industry field day. This will be the third year with landscape research tours added. Specialists from four different departments in the College […]
Field Paspalum
Field Paspalum Biology: Field paspalum (Paspalum laeve Michx.) is a warm-season perennial weed with short rhizomes similar to dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum Poir.). Much of the below Weed of the Month entry comes from research conducted in Indiana on how to control Field Paspalum. That research was published in 2012. Reicher, Z.J., A.J. Patton, and […]
The Indiana Green Expo (January 6-8, 2016): Indiana’s Largest Green Industry Event
The Indiana Green Expo (IGE) is Indiana’s most comprehensive green industry educational conference and trade show. It is a time of education, new products and networking with industry members. The IGE features exhibiting companies from around the country. Our attendees are from Indiana and the surrounding states which include business owners, managers and staff of […]
2015 Turf and Landscape Field Day a Success
On Tuesday, July 14, 2015 the Purdue Turf Program, the Purdue Green Industry Working Group and the Midwest Regional Turf Foundation successfully hosted the Turf and Landscape Field Day. Rubber boots were needed at this year’s field day due to all the recent rains and we even had to extract a couple of cars from […]
Look Out for Herbicide Resistant Weeds in Turf
Herbicide resistance can be defined as the acquired ability of a weed population to survive an herbicide application that previously was known to control the population. The number of herbicide resistant weeds has been rapidly increasing in agriculture in recent years. Currently, 459 unique cases of herbicide resistant weeds exist globally, with 246 species (143 […]
What’s Next in the Forecast?
June 2015 was the wettest month on record in Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio, but I don’t have to tell you that if you live in one of these states as you’ve experienced it firsthand. But what’s next? Here are some predictions of what we might face weather-wise in the upcoming weeks and months. Precipitation: […]
Wet Weather Makes a Great Environment for Yellow Nutsedge
Yellow nutsedge is a troublesome, difficult-to-control turf weed. Information on its identification is available in a recent weed of the month blog posting. Wet, summertime conditions like we are now having favor its growth and development. Understanding this plant’s biology will help in determining the best control methods. Two Purdue publications are also available to […]
Postemergence Crabgrass Control
As crabgrass grows larger and larger this spring into summer, you’ll need to know just how big it is before selecting the right product for postemergence control. Read my recent article to turf professionals at Turf Republic: Just How Big is Your Crabgrass? For homeowners, look for products that contain quinclorac such […]
Rain, Rain Go Away?
There are a lot of wet areas out there right now as pockets of Indiana have received more than double their monthly expected rainfall. Rain is a good thing but as we know it is possible to have too much of a good thing. Saturated soils reduce turf health and cause issues related to mowing […]
Turf and Landscape Field Day on July 14, 2015
On Tuesday, July 14, 2015 the Purdue Turf Program and the Midwest Regional Turf Foundation will host the Turf and Landscape Field Day. The Turf and Landscape Field Day is Indiana’s largest green industry field day. This will be the third year with landscape research tours added. Specialists from four different departments in the College […]
Rounds 4 Research: Auction is Open! Support the Purdue Turf Program
The 2015 Rounds 4 Research auction is now open. The auction will run from June 8 to June 21 with proceeds going to support turf research at Purdue and in Indiana through the Midwest Regional Turf Foundation, advocacy and education programs for the benefit of golf course management professionals, golf facilities and the game. This […]
Is it Safe to Aerify after Applying a Preemergence Herbicide?
It is not uncommon for me to receive questions regarding whether it is OK to aerify an area when you’ve already applied a preemergence herbicide to control crabgrass. Will aerifying break the herbicide barrier and reduce my crabgrass control? The answer to this and more can be found here in a recent post I wrote […]
Smooth Crabgrass
Smooth Crabgrass Biology: Smooth crabgrass (Digitaria ischaemum), is a summer annual grassy weed that is found throughout the Midwestern United states. Closely related to large crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis) and southern crabgrass (Digitaria ciliaris), these three species are often considered to be the most problematic weeds in lawns due to their ability to survive extremely […]
How to Keep Turf Areas Around Sidewalks From Failing
Last year I posted a turf tip on why it is so difficult to manage turf around sidewalks and driveways. I encourage you to read that post (Weed Management Next to Sidewalks and Driveways) as it provides recommendations for weed control, etc. in these areas as well as how to prevent weeds and encourage healthier […]
Tall Fescue
Tall Fescue Biology: Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea) is perennial grass that can be both desirable as a lawn species when using improved cultivars or undesirable when forage-type (wide-bladed) tall fescue plants a contaminant other primary species in a lawn. For all of you nerds out there like me, you might be interested in know that […]
Common Questions About Crabgrass Germination and Preemergence Herbicides Answered
This time of year many have questions about crabgrass germination and control. Below are several previous Purdue turf tips that answer the most commonly asked questions about crabgrass control. When will crabgrass germinate? When should I apply my preemergence herbicide (crabgrass preventer)? Which preemergence herbicide should I use? – Professionals How to Select a Crabgrass […]