Author: Turf Tips

Hot Topics at a Hot Field Day!

Thanks to all the 530 attendees and 32 exhibitors who attended the Midwest Regional Turfgrass Field Day Tuesday (July 19, 2011) at the W.H. Daniel Turfgrass Research Center in W. Lafayette, IN. We had golf and lawn research tours in...
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Annual bluegrass starting to succumb to summer stress in lawns

Annual bluegrass (Poa annua) is a common weed on golf courses, but is now also becoming a problem on higher mowed turf areas such as lawns and athletic fields. This grass is lighter colored than Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass...
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Herbicide damage on Spruce and Pine – Update

A few weeks ago we posted information on herbicide damage to spruce and pine (link here). We are continuing to see some new cases of damage, but many with affected trees are simply waiting to see whether or not their...
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Drought Damage on Zoysiagrass Lawns

Last summer and fall we experienced some widespread drought throughout the state which we documented with turf tips in July, September, and November as well as tips on reestablishment this March (click here for an archive of these tips). Most...
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Educational Opportunity:

Turf Field Day Tuesday, July 19, 2011 Daniel Turf Center, West Lafayette, IN Attendee Registration Form Exhibitor Registration Form
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Cooler Than Average Spring Temperatures for Some May Extend the Window for Preemergence Herbicide Applications

Preemergence herbicides prevent emergence of crabgrass plants. These products must be applied prior to crabgrass germination which on an average year could occur as early as April 1 in southern Indiana and three or more weeks later in northern Indiana....
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To whom does this seedhead belong?

Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) is beginning to produce seedheads this time of year which are difficult to mow and can cause a lawn to appear uneven. However, there are other grasses such as annual bluegrass (Poa annua) that also produce...
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Spilled Fertilizer: Loading and Application

Fertilizer loading Fill spreaders over a hard surface such as a driveway, sidewalk, or other hard concrete or asphalt surface. This will allow easy clean-up if any material is spilled. Fertilizer spills over turf usually result in turf death to...
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What’s that brown spot: Nimblewill in lawns

Nimblewill (Muhlenbergia schreberi) is a weed that thin patches in lawns. Since nimblewill is a warm-season grass, it will turn brown at the first frost and is very slow to green-up in the spring. The brown patches seen in lawns...
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Spring Grub Control Not Your Best Bet

Spring is almost upon us and overwintering white grubs will soon be emerging from the depths to continue feeding for a short time before they pupate. These overwintering grubs typically spend the frigid months of December – February deep in...
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Part III: Controlling broadleaf weeds in newly seeded areas

This turf tip is part of a three part series on spring seeding. Most turfgrass herbicides are intended for use on established grasses. Thus, herbicide use on newly planted grasses should be very conservative. If possible, wait until the grass...
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Rejuvenating Turf in 2011: Part II

Part II: Preemergence and postemergence herbicides for crabgrass control in newly seeded areas This turf tip is part of a three part series on spring seeding. Early spring preemergence herbicides are often necessary in Indiana to prevent troublesome annual grassy...
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Check out these new and improved tools!

We have been working hard this winter trying to help you be more efficient….. These tools/calculators are now available on our Purdue Turf Science web-site to help you answer various turf-related questions. An updated Turf Fertilizer Calculator. It still allows...
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New GDDTracker site is live!

The GDDTracker Team (Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio) is proud to launch the latest version of our turf pest tracking web site (http://www.gddtracker.net/). We have been very hard at work to bring you an even better product in 2011. You...
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Rejuvenating Turf in 2011: Part I

Part I: Spring seeding options (This turf tip is part of a three part series on spring seeding.) Seeding in spring is difficult and often unsuccessful. However, there are circumstances that warrant a spring seeding: Thin turf due to winter...
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Indiana Reception at the GCSAA in Orlando

For those making the trip to Orlando for the Golf Industry Show, the Indiana Reception, Sponsored by the Midwest Regional Turf Foundation and Purdue Agronomy Department will be held Wednesday, February 9, 6:00 to 8:00 pm in Salon 8 of...
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Indiana Green Expo a Success!

For those of you that had the opportunity January 17-19 to attend the Indiana Green Expo, I am sure that you noticed the eight educational sessions, six workshops, and trade show that was offered. Over 1,850 people attended the expo...
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Students Placed 1st at the Seventh Annual Sports Turf Competition

Cody Whitis, Justin Shirley, Joey Gerking, and Zak Peterson traveled to Austin, TX for the seventh annual Student Challenge Exam at the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) Meetings. Purdue placed 1st out of 32 teams. The students worked hard to...
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Students Placed 8th at the Seventh Annual Sports Turf Competition

Tony Feitz, C.J. Coy, John Thackery, and Steve Vonderheide traveled to Austin, TX for the seventh annual Student Challenge Exam at the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) Meetings. Purdue placed 8th out of 32 teams. The students worked hard to...
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Top Ten Turf Tips of 2010

Part II: Summer diseases in Residential Turf Part III: Summer weeds: Common summer weeds and their control Part I: Too hot: Why some turfgrass species look poor in summer Color Variation in Residential and Commercial Lawns Crabgrass Control Now is...
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