Author: Zac Reicher

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...