Slime mold can occur on all turf grasses. The disease does not infect the plant but instead grows on the outside of the leaves. Yellowish, purplish, or grayish fruiting bodies may be observed during wet periods. As the turf begins to dry, the structures become powdery. Since the disease is only cosmetic in nature, chemical […]
The Giant Canada goose (Anatidae: Branta canadensis maxima) recently has become one of the most serious pests of parks and golf courses in the Eastern half of the United States. These geese are probably the most adaptable of all waterfowl and, if left undisturbed, will readily establish nesting territories on ponds in residential subdivisions, condominium complexes, city […]
The Turf Field Day will be held on Tuesday, July 20 at the W.H. Daniel Turfgrass Research and Diagnostic Center in West Lafayette. The morning research tours include stops about Plant Growth Regulators, Broadleaf weed products, Controlling Moles and Voles, Dollar Spot Control and Exotic Invasive Insects in Ash and Elm Trees. Tradeshow and equipment demonstration featuring […]
The near term forecast indicates an early arrival of summer, when temperature and moisture conditions favor diseases that can cause serious damage to turf on golf courses, athletic fields and residential landscapes. Two of the more important diseases are discussed below. Brown Patch Brown patch is a foliar disease that does not damage crowns or […]
When I was 15 years old, I started working at the Indiana University golf course in Bloomington where I cleaned golf carts, helped out on the driving range, and occasionally worked in the pro shop. While there I had the opportunity to meet the golf course superintendent, Brent Emerick, and I began to be more […]
Due to the warm, wet weather we have been experiencing lately, homeowners are having to mow their lawns very frequently. Something to keep in mind throughout the summer is that the more often you mow your lawn, the more dull the mower blades become. Mower blades should be examined a few times throughout the growing […]
Although it is generally preferable to fertilize home lawns in the fall, a late May fertilizer application can help the turf retain its color and vigor during the summer. If conservative nitrogen rates are used, fertilizer can be applied in late spring without dramatically increasing vertical growth. To aid the turf in keeping its color […]
Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue and perennial ryegrass all produce seedheads that look unsightly in lawns. These seedheads are easily visible in maintained turfgrass because they grow faster and more unevenly than normal grass blades. Also, since the seedhead stalks are so tough, they do not cut cleanly and leave a light green or white tip […]
The Musser International Turfgrass Foundation has selected James Rutledge of Purdue as the recipient of the 2010 Musser Award of Excellence. The award, which carries a stipend of $25,000, was announced earlier this year at the Golf Industry Show in San Diego, Calif. Rutledge earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from North Carolina State University, […]
Hunting billbug is becoming a significant problem in parts of southern Indiana where zoysiagrass is grown. These insects typically have two generations per year in this part of the Midwest with the larvae of both generations being capable of causing significant injury to turf. Sporadic adult hunting billbug activity has already been observed in the […]
Dandelions are one of the most common weeds of maintained turf because they can tolerate a wide variety of soils and environmental conditions. The best time to control dandelions or other broadleaf weeds is in the fall. Mid-spring is also an effective time for control, particularly when dandelions are flowering. If you wait too late […]
For those that are managing cool-season lawns like Kentucky bluegrass, the ryegrasses or fescues the unseasonably early warm spring weather has resulted in quite a bit of shoot tissue (leaf clippings) being produced. For many that think they want their lawns to look like a closely cropped and highly manicured golf course, this may have […]
As frequent users of pesticides, it is imperative that turfgrass professionals understand the terminology surrounding their formulation and use. For example, when we talk about ‘multiple targeting’ we are referring to an attempt to control more than one pest with a single application of pesticide. Timing of application as well as placement and formulation is critical to success. To time a […]
Mid-August to mid-September is the best time to seed cool-season grasses. However, sometimes turf is damaged throughout the winter or the previous year and must be seeded in the spring. Spring seeding is difficult so there are a few helpful hints to ensure the most successful outcome. Seeding should take place early in the spring […]
In a few weeks, it will be time to apply preemergence herbicides for controlling crabgrass. Crabgrass germination starts in early May, or when soil temperatures are approximately 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Once germination occurs, the weeds are difficult to control. A good strategy would be to apply the preemergence herbicide before germination to inhibit […]
Last week’s warm temperatures really made the grass green-up and begin growing which means many people are starting to think about seasonal mowing. Probably one of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is not starting to mow their lawns soon enough. Remember the mowing “rule of thumb”. For optimum turf health “try not to remove more […]
With the winter snows melting away many are often surprised to find a series of tiny trails on the surface of their lawns and turfgrass fields. These are vole highways. Voles are often called meadow mice or field mice. While they are similar to a house mouse in general size and shape, they have some […]
The summary of our turfgrass research in the year 2009 is now available at www.agry.purdue.edu/turf/report/2009/index.html. The overall goal of our research program is to minimize inputs while maintaining turf quality, minimizing costs, and further protecting our environment. Our research summary contains reports of on-going research at Purdue University . The report is a cooperative effort from […]
Melting snows revealed some significant snow mold damage. As you know there are two types of snow mold diseases, gray snow mold (aka Typhula blight) and pink snow mold (Microdochium patch). Although they create similar symptoms (circular patches of tan turf—sometimes with orange/brown margins) the pathogens are not closely related and they have different temperature requirements for infection. […]
There are literally thousands of fertilizers and fertilizer/pesticide combinations available to homeowners and professionals. Therefore, we can’t recommend how many pounds of a specific fertilizer to apply, but rather we must recommend fertilization rates in pounds of nitrogen per thousand square feet or lbs N/1000ft2. You can use our fertilizer calculator at http://www.agry.purdue.edu/turf/fertcalc/Fertilization%20calc.html or you can use […]