Turf Tips Archives
Crabgrass Problem Revisited
The tremendous crabgrass pressure mentioned in earlier Turf Tips deserves more attention and the most common question is “Why is it so bad this year?”. The obvious answer to this is the above average heat and humidity during July increased disease pressure and thinned or weakened turf. Crabgrass germinated in these new gaps and quickly […]
Why New Lawns Fail?
It is increasingly common for newly-established lawns to thin or completely fail within a year. There are many reasons for this to occur but here are my top ten: 1. Poor soil – heavy clay in today’s subdivisions is not conducive for quality turf, so good soil preparation is required, see number 3. 2. Poor […]
Funny Colors in Your Turf?
From the parts of the state with adequate rainfall, we have received reports of turf with white, black, gray, red, orange, purple, and or rust-colored powder (see photo). This is slime mold, a fungus-like organism that often occurs during prolonged warm and wet weather. Slime molds appear to damage turf, but their effects are only […]
Now is the Time to Seed Cool-Season Turf
Late summer is the best time to establish Kentucky bluegrass, creeping bentgrass, tall fescue, and perennial ryegrass from seed. Between August 15 and September 15 is optimum seeding time in the northern half of Indiana, from September 1 to September 30 is optimum in the southern half of Indiana. It is critical to seed as […]
Gray Leaf Spot Update
There have been several reports of gray leaf spot outbreaks throughout Indiana and the lower Midwest during the past two weeks. The disease will develop over a broad range of environmental conditions (not just hot and wet). Our research results showed that the presence of inoculum is the disease-limiting factor north of the Ohio River. […]
Turf Field Day Held July 18
Thanks to everyone who attended and helped make the 2006 Midwest Regional Turf Field Day a success on Tuesday, July 18. A hot steamy morning with thankfully a brisk breeze greeted the almost 650 attendees. Attendees had the opportunity to view the latest in turfgrass research, visit with Purdue specialists, see the most modern equipment […]
Overseeding creeping bentgrass into thinning Poa annua
The recent heat may unfortunately favor early exit of Poa annua from golf turf. However, there is a silver lining to this. Rutgers reported that overseeding creeping bentgrass directly into a Poa stand in summer is effective for gradual conversion when done July 1. Rutgers produced significant (>25% cover) of bentgrass within 12 months of […]
Summer stress of Poa annua, Poa trivialis on Golf Courses
Persistent air tempertatures of 90F and soil temperatures greater than 80F combine with high humidity and adequate rainfall (in some areas) is doing in the Poa annua (annual bluegrass)and Poa trivialis (rough bluegrass)on golf courses. After a week or two of these conditions, Poa annua greens and fairways will start to thin and die in […]
Summer stress of Poa annua and Poa trivialis in Lawns and Sports Fields
Persistent air temperatures of 90F and soil temperatures greater than 80F combine with high humidity and adequate rainfall (in some areas) is also doing in the Poa annua (annual bluegrass) and Poa trivialis (rough bluegrass)on lawns and athletic fields. Patches of these fine-bladed grasses seemingly die overnight with even a minimum of drought stress. Though […]
Bumper Crop of Crabgrass and Yellow Nutsedge
The rain and 90F temperatures have boosted the growth of both crabgrass and yellow nutsedge in the last week or two. Unfortunately, our options for control of either weed are becoming limited. Plus the hot temperatures increase the risk for turf damage with any herbicide applied now. The best current option for crabgrass is Drive […]
Brown Patches in Lawns Could be Escaped Fountain Grass
Fountain grass and other ornamental grasses have added tremendously to the urban landscape. However, we are now seeing some of these grasses escape from the ornamental beds into the turf. One in particular is fountain grass (Penisetum spp) because it produces viable seeds which blow into surrounding turf and may germinate. Though most of the […]
Brown Patches in Lawns Could be Old Seedstalks
We have received a number of calls, email, and electronic photos inquiring about current brown patches in the lawn. Dollar spot is active throughout the state and could be causing problems in lawns. Dollar spot causes very noticeable lesions and cotton candy mycelium in the early morning. However, many of the patches that I have […]
Bermudagrass Takes Root in Ross-Ade and the South Football Practice Field
It is in some ways difficult to believe that it has been just over one month since the first “Big Rolls” of ‘Patriot’ bermudagrass were installed in Ross-Ade stadium on 6 June, 2006. The sod 42” wide rolls arrived on refrigerated trucks from the sandy coastal plain soils of Eastern Maryland. Some of you may […]
Midwest Regional Turf Field Day on July 18
Don’t forget to register for the Midwest Regional Turf Field Day that will be held on July 18 at the W.H. Daniel Turfgrass Research and Diagnostic Center in West Lafayette. This is a great opportunity for turf professionals to view the latest in turfgrass research, talk to Purdue specialists about turf and ornamental issues, and […]
Japanese Beetles: They’re Back!
The first Japanese beetles of the year were observed in central Indiana last week and now is a great time to review the biology and control of these pests. Japanese beetle adults pupate from larvae in late spring and begin emerging at this time of the year. We expect them to arrive in full force […]
Bermuda suppression in zoysia?
Bermudagrass is one of the most difficult species to control due to its extensive stolon and rhizome system, aggressive growth, and tolerance to management and environmental extremes. It is even more difficult to control selectively in another warm season grass, thus it can be a problem wherever zoysiagrass is grown as the desirable turf. Recent […]
More on Nematodes and Indiana Greens
As our nematode survey continues, more questions are being asked about nematodes, their damage potential, etc. Following is an update on the survey: Do not attribute all vague symptoms to nematodes. Nematode populations and symptoms are extremely complex and cannot be diagnosed by anyone other than a nematologist. In other words, don’t panic. […]
Seedheads Make for Tough Mowing
Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, and perennial ryegrass are now producing seedheads. This natural phenomenon is induced by daylength and occurs every spring. Seedheads detract from the appearance of a turf because they grow quickly and unevenly and the tough seed stalks do not cut cleanly except with the sharpest of mower blades. After mowing, the […]
Red thread, pink patch, and dollar spot in lawns and roughs
Red thread and its close relative pink patch, are now appearing on home lawns (and golf course roughs) in the central and southern parts of Indiana. Red thread first appears as small (quarter to golf ball size) gray – tan colored patches in the turf. After extended dew periods, white – pink mold may be […]
Football Renovations Continue (Part 2)
Tremendous progress has occurred since our last update, 17 May, on the projects to enhance the football practice and game fields at Purdue University. These have been exciting times for all those associated with the Turf program as we have been able to witness three different turf renovation projects all occurring simultaneously. It has truly […]