Zac Reicher

337 articles by this author

Turf Tips List

Thank You to Everyone who Attended the Indiana Green Expo

On behalf of the Turf Program, Midwest Regional Turf Foundation (MRTF), Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association (INLA), and Indiana Flower Growers Association (IFGA), I’d like to thank everyone who helped with and/or attended the 2009 Indiana Green Expo on January 12-14 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. This marks the third year of cooperation…Read more about Thank You to Everyone who Attended the Indiana Green Expo[Read More]

Purdue Alumni and Friends Reception at the GCSAA in New Orleans

For those making the trip to New Orleans for the Golf Industry Show, the Purdue Alumni and Friends Reception will be held Thursday, February 5, 6:00 to 8:00 pm in the Bayoe Jean Lafitte room of the Embassy Suites, 315 Julia Street. It’s a great opportunity to catch up with your classmates and old friends….Read more about Purdue Alumni and Friends Reception at the GCSAA in New Orleans[Read More]

How Late is Too Late to Control Dandelions and Other Weeds?

Even though the drought has limited some broadleaf weed applications this month, we are now in the prime season for broadleaf weed control. Actually there is plenty of time left for good control. Nebraska research reported in 2002 showed 2,4-D and/or dicamba were far more effective in controlling dandelions and Canada thistle when applied 1…Read more about How Late is Too Late to Control Dandelions and Other Weeds?[Read More]

New Options at Midwest Regional Turf Field Day on July 15

Even though the Midwest Regional Turf Field Day is one of the largest in the country, we’re always looking for new and improved ideas. The MRTF Board of Directors and the Purdue Staff have put their heads together and come up with a number of new ideas for this year’s Field Day including: Morning lawn…Read more about New Options at Midwest Regional Turf Field Day on July 15[Read More]

Mowing height does not affect speed of athletes

We often hear the comment by coaches to change the mowing height of an athletic field when a particularly “fast” or “slow” team is coming to play. In a comprehensive article by Kevin Trotta in a June 16, 2004, “Turf News” article, he clearly showed that mowing height has little effect on player speed. Thought…Read more about Mowing height does not affect speed of athletes[Read More]

Seeded bermudagrass or zoysiagrass is an option for some IN turf areas

In the southern third to of Indiana, seeded zoysia is a viable option for golf course fairway and tees, whereas seeded bermudagrass is an option for golf course fairways and athletic fields. A tremendous amount of recent research has been done on both of these species at Purdue as well as other universities. Our former…Read more about Seeded bermudagrass or zoysiagrass is an option for some IN turf areas[Read More]

Ball mark Recovery: Does the Repair Tool Matter?

Putting green surface smoothness and uniformity is often disrupted by unrepaired ballmarks. These marks can disrupt surface smoothness and increase the potential for weed (e.g. annual bluegrass) encroachment. The traditional method for repairing ballmarks normally employs a metal pronged tool (≈ 1 in or 3 cm), or tee and using a knit and twist method…Read more about Ball mark Recovery: Does the Repair Tool Matter?[Read More]

Color Variation in Residential and Commercial Lawns

During spring green-up, home lawns may reveal many variations in color, growth rate, and leaf width. This variation can be due to some of the following reasons: Species and cultivars: Perennial ryegrass is always the first of the desired cool-season grasses to green-up, followed by tall fescue and eventually Kentucky bluegrass. Within a species, different…Read more about Color Variation in Residential and Commercial Lawns[Read More]

Time is running out for spring seeding

As lawns are greening up, many calls are coming in about damage left over from last summer or perhaps even winter damage. Unfortunately, spring seeding is difficult at best because of pending hot weather and/or weed and disease pressure. Late summer (August) is easily the best time to seed cool-season grasses, but sometimes turf must…Read more about Time is running out for spring seeding[Read More]

Reicher on Sabbatical until October 15

You’ll probably notice a slight decrease in frequency and number of Turf Tips this summer as I will be on sabbatical until Oct 15. I will be completing a national survey on Poa trivialis contamination in seed lots. This is a weed that we have been working on for years and it continues to plague golf courses,…Read more about Reicher on Sabbatical until October 15[Read More]

For professionals: Spring dandelion control

Now that dandelions are flowering or in the puffball stage throughout IN, now is the second best time to control these weeds. Fall applications are still most effective for controlling broadleaf weeds. It does not take much wind to drift and damage off- target ornamentals, gardens, and trees. Choosing low-volatile formulations should reduce the chances…Read more about For professionals: Spring dandelion control[Read More]

For professionals: Where’s Tenacity Herbicide for Lawns?

Tenacity herbicide (mesotrione) is from Syngenta and it will selectively control crabgrass, creeping bentgrass, nimblewill, and a number of broadleaf weeds in cool-season lawns. It is one of the most unique and effective herbicides that we have tested in a long time. Though it was labeled early in 2008 for golf course and sod farm…Read more about For professionals: Where’s Tenacity Herbicide for Lawns?[Read More]

For Professionals: Herbicide Delays after Seeding

Many turf areas required dormant seeding or seeding this spring to help repair damage from last summer and fall. Weed germination is just around the corner and may be problematic on thin turf. Almost all herbicides will affect turfgrass seedlings and application delays are usually needed following seeding. Following is information gleaned from available labels…Read more about For Professionals: Herbicide Delays after Seeding[Read More]

Regenerating Fall Use Athletic Fields

With the fairly wet weather last fall, football and soccer fields have taken a beating. The fields that were aggressively aerified, fertilized, and dormant-seeded last fall should improve dramatically by mid-May. Though improvement won’t be as efficient done now compared to the fall, there is still time to help a field if you missed out…Read more about Regenerating Fall Use Athletic Fields[Read More]

Searching for the no-mow” lawn grasses?

Most turfgrasses have leaves that only live for 30-60 days and thus constant growth is require to maintain ground cover, especially with any pets, children, or other traffic. The Holy Grail of “no-mow” turf is unlikely because the turf stand will thin allowing lots of weeds to encroach. That being said, any grass can be…Read more about Searching for the no-mow” lawn grasses?[Read More]

Soil Tests

Soil test are important for determining P and K fertilization requirements. Though Purdue has been out of the soil testing business for many, many years, there is a list of certified soil testing labs at http://www.agry.purdue.edu/ext/soiltest.html. Taking an soil test is even more important than where it is sent for analysis. More information is available at http://www.agry.purdue.edu/turf/pubs/ay-18.pdf

Winter/spring flood damage on turf

After widespread flooding, many question how well turf will survive. Turf injury from flooding depends on water temperature, species, duration of submergence, and depth of submergence. Turfgrasses can withstand submersion for up to 60 days when water temperatures are 50 degrees or less. Injury is increased under stagnant water compared to moving water, and injury…Read more about Winter/spring flood damage on turf[Read More]

For professionals: Seed thin turf now or use weed control?

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 a simple question, but it’s fairly complex depending on the turf and weed species present…Read more about For professionals: Seed thin turf now or use weed control?[Read More]

Do it yourself: Choose preemergence herbicides with as little N as possible: Part II

Per the earlier Turf Tip, select preemergence herbicides with as little nitrogen as possible to reduce the growth flush and maximize long-term health of the plant. The problem is finding a product with little or no N. Do not make the mistake of settling for a high N product and then reducing the application rate….Read more about Do it yourself: Choose preemergence herbicides with as little N as possible: Part II[Read More]

Do it yourself: Searching for that low maintenance lawn?

We get a ton of calls and email inquiring about low maintenance lawns. Simply put, there are no silver bullet grass species that are low maintenance and will also survive summers and winters in IN. That being said, hiring professionals to mow and maintain your lawn is the best method for reducing your input. Following…Read more about Do it yourself: Searching for that low maintenance lawn?[Read More]