Author: Zac Reicher

Common chickweed is currently dominating any fall- or dormant-seedings (including my lawn). Common chickweed is a winter annual, so it germinated last fall, grew well into December and is starting to spread with the temperatures this weekend (see accompanying photos)....

With last year’s brutal summer and early fall, many areas are in need of reseeding. The question comes up about seeding and weed control: should the weeds be controlled first or should the seeding be done first? This seems like...

Almost all herbicides will affect turfgrass seedlings and application delays are usually needed following seeding. Following is information gleaned from available labels of most herbicides or herbicide types that would be used in Indiana. This is intended to provide a...

If a preemergence herbicide is justified on a turf area, the timing of application is important. In theory, applying too early will expose the herbicide to soil microbes and processes in the soil that may break it down, allowing crabgrass...

If a preemergence herbicide is justified on your lawn to control crabgrass now, most of those are available combined with fertilizer and you are forced to apply a fertilizer now. Look for a product with low nitrogen and be sure...

The IN-IL Turfgrass Short Course will be held in two locations in 2006, in Indianapolis on Feb. 13-16 and in Willowbrook, IL, on Feb. 27-March 2. This is an outstanding course for new and experienced turf professionals. It’s designed for...

The IN-IL Turfgrass Short Course will be held in two locations in 2006, in Indianapolis on Feb. 13-16 and in Willowbrook, IL, on Feb. 27-March 2. This is an outstanding course for new and experienced turf professionals. It’s designed for...

The Midwest Turf Expo will be held on January 17-19, 2006 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. An outstanding educational schedule compliments a rapidly filling tradeshow held in conjunction with the Indiana Park and Recreation Association. A GCSAA Seminar...

The IN-IL Turfgrass Short Course will be held in two locations in 2006, in Indianapolis on Feb. 13-16 and in Willowbrook, IL, on Feb. 27-March 2. This is an outstanding course for new and experienced turf professionals. It’s designed for...

A November application of fertilizer is extremely important to keep your lawn healthy and looking good this fall and next year. Late fall N promotes good root development, enhances storage of energy reserves, and extends color retention this fall. Most...

Those dandelions, clover, and other broadleaf weeds that were a problem all summer should be controlled this fall. The period from late September through October is the ideal time to control broadleaf weeds in turfgrass because broadleaf weeds are most...

Currently advertised on television and in home improvement stores are “winterizer” fertilizers. There’s good and bad about winterizer fertilizers. It’s good that they are emphasizing fall and late fall fertilizer. These fertilizers usually contain the same amount of potassium as...

The trees are dropping their leaves and it is important to prevent a heavy layer of leaves from building-up on your turf before winter. Heavy layers of tree leaves that shade the grass can smother and kill grass yet this...

Nitrogen stimulates increased photosynthesis and the extra energy derived from this goes directly into growth, respiration to maintain the plant (similar to humans), or into storage. In early November, the temperature is still adequate for photosynthesis, but cool enough to...

Late September through October is the best time to control weeds like dandelion, clover, and chickweed with an application of a broadleaf weed herbicide. Broadleaf weed herbicides are systemic and move through the plant in the phloem, which also transports...

For anyone who watched major college football in the Midwest this fall, you’ve noticed that the fields are tearing up with divots and blow outs. Some major universities have even resodded their fields after the opening few games in hopes...

At this weekend’s Homecoming activities, Randy Brehmer will receive the Agronomic Award of Distinction from Purdue’s Department of Agronomy. This award is reserved for those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help the Department of...

We are out of the optimum window for seeding turfgrasses in Indiana. However, many are still hoping to seed. Following is a summary of our studies in the early 90’s on seeding at less than optimum times of the year....

The summer’s heat and humidity have taken an unusually high toll on turf in lawns, athletic fields, and golf courses. Most of the decline can be attributed to poor root growth weakening cool-season grasses and starting an avalanche of secondary...

After the rains have returned, broadleaf weed herbicides should become effective. However, don’t be in too much of a rush to apply because our data suggests that better control is obtained with October applications in than in September. We found...