Turf Tips Archives
Finding Spring Grubs?
Each spring we receive many calls about grubs as people find them while planting gardens or ornamental beds. These are often large and appear menacing however do not let their appearance cause you to worry, panic or run out to buy an insecticide to annihilate these sinister creatures. These grubs are not feeding actively so […]
Ross-Ade and South Football Practice Field Renovations – Update 17 May 2006
After nearly a week of steady rain in West Lafayette and across the region, work was finally able to continue on the Ross-Ade stadium and South football practice field renovations. The existing Kentucky bluegrass/perennial ryegrass turf in Ross-Ade was removed today with a “Koro” machine. The machine is essentially analogous to a milling machine used […]
Aerification Following Preemergence Herbicide?
In theory, a barrier of preemergene herbicide is created in the soil and limites emergence of crabgrass. Any gap in this barrier could allow crabgrass to germinate. This is why a uniform application of preemergence herbicide is required and practices like power raking or aerification are usually not recommended after application. However, research consistently shows […]
Pink Snow Mold Active
The cool wet weather the last two weeks is favoring Microdochium nivale, the pathogen that causes pink snow mold (sometimes referred to as Microdochium patch). The color of pink snow mold scars indicates the activity of the patch. Straw colored patches are usually inactive. However, a rust to orange colored band or ring indicates an active […]
Rhizoctonia Large Patch in Bermudagrass
With the continued cool wet weather, Rhizoctonia Large Patch (RLP) is affecting bermudagrass fairways. Prior to widespread use of bermudagrass in southern Indiana and northern Kentucky, we thought RLP affected only zoysia and was thus known as zoysia patch. However, RLP caused serious thinning in bermudagrass in an occasional spring the last few years. This […]
Rhizoctonia Large Patch (Zoysia Patch) in Zoysia
With the continued cool wet weather, Rhizoctonia Large Patch (RLP or zoysia patch) is in high gear. This follows a warm winter that also encouraged RLP, which is the only major disease of zoysiagrass in Indiana. Like snow mold, a rust to orange colored band on the outside of the patch indicates activity. Though best […]
Nematode Damage in Golf Greens
We are suspecting more and more instances of actual nematode damage or at least secondary effects of nematodes in golf greens. Effects of nematode feeding would include yellowing, thinning, enhanced drought stress, and other symptoms reflective of a poor root system. Unfortunately, symptom expression may be enhanced or complicated by poor rooting from summer weather, […]
Considering Artificial Turf For Sports Fields?
Tremendous improvement in the artificial turfs has renewed interest in these turfs for sports fields. The decision to use artificial turf is difficult because these fields are a huge investment to install, maintain, and eventually replace. This technology is relatively new and still evolving, and thus questions abound on performance, safety, injury, maintenance costs, lifespan, […]
First Black Cutworms of the Year Found in Traps
Recent storms have generated the weather patterns that bring black cutworm moths into our state each year. Pheromone traps picked up the first black cutworm moths of the season during the past two weeks. Predictive models estimate that the first cutworm caterpillars will begin feeding 300 heat units after the first moths are caught. Unseasonably […]
Time is Running Out for Preemergence Control of Crabgrass
April 15-20 usually marks the end of the window for applying traditional preemergence herbicides in central IN, a week earlier in southern IN, and a week later in northern IN. Though most preemergence herbicides do have minor post-emergence properties that will burn back small crabgrass (one or two leaf stage), this is not always reliable. […]
Spring Dandelion Control for Professionals
Many turf areas did not get treated for broadleaf weeds last fall because of the dry fall combined with the fairly early snowfall. Though fall applications are most effective for controlling broadleaf weeds, spring applications are warranted for new lawns or areas that did not get treated last fall. Spring applications will be most effective […]
Mark Your Calendars: Turf Field Day moved to July 18
The Midwest Regional Turf Field Day has been moved one week earlier to July 18 at the Wm 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 visit with […]
Attempting Ground Ivy Control
Ground ivy remains one of our toughest weeds to control. Following is our recommendation for maximizing control, based on experience and seven years of research: 1. Mow at 3” or higher. 2. Remove as much of the shade as possible. 3. Increase fertilizer up to 4.0 lbs N/1000ft2/yr fertilizing primarily in the fall 4. Make […]
Spring Dandelion Control Still Not as Effective as Fall Control
The annual bloom of dandelions is already here in southern and central Indiana. This marks the beginning of the second most effective period for controlling broadleaf weeds. The optimum time to control dandelions and other broadleaf weeds is in the fall and the second most effective time is in late spring, at or shortly after […]
Turfgrass Does not Perform Well in the Shade (Period)
We have received a ton of calls in the last week about improving shaded lawns. Following is a summary about shaded lawns: Turf does not perform well in the shade “Shade-adapted“ grass species and cultivars will always perform better in full sun compared to shade (regardless of what the label states) As […]
March 30-31 Workshop to complete requirements for pesticide licensing (3BRT)
Are you interested in making pesticide applications to your customers’ lawns? Indiana law says anyone who wants to apply turf pesticides (and that includes weed killers, weed and feed products, insecticides, and other over-the-counter pesticides) FOR HIRE must be licensed to do so. To obtain a commercial turf pesticide applicator FOR HIRE license, you’ll have […]
Common Chickweed in New Seedlings
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). In established lawns, I wouldn’t recommend spraying it because it will die with the first […]
Spring Weed Control or Seeding?
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 […]
Herbicide Delays after Seeding
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 general idea of the limitations of each active ingredient, but please refer to the actual […]