Turf Tips Archives
Gray Leaf Spot 2004
We’ve received several reports of gray leaf spot outbreaks throughout the state during the past couple of weeks. It may surprise many, because the summer of 2004 has been one of the mildest (zero days where temperatures reached 90 F in West Lafayette) in recent memory. It did not surprise us, however, because our research […]
What Happens to Fertilizers and Pesticides Applied to Turf?
Now that we are entering the fertilization season for lawns, questions sometimes arise about where products go after application to lawns. Research at Purdue and many other universities has shown that fertilizers (including both nitrogen and phosphorus) and pesticides applied to turf will not move horizontally (runoff) or vertically (leaching). This is because the relatively […]
September Grub Damage
White grub damage on turfgrass may be more widespread than many expected this year. With ample rain and favorable growing conditions for most host plants during the early and mid growing season, high concentrations of adult Japanese beetles were not as common as in previous years. This may have lulled turfgrass managers into forgetting about […]
Rust Revival!
Well it must be September and it must finally be dry because I have seen some serious outbreaks of rust on many perennial ryegrass lawns throughout the area over the past week. Leaf rust has been most noticeable on lawns that are newly planted and malnourished, both excellent conditions favoring the development of this turf […]
Attempting Ground Ivy Control
I’ve received a number of calls recently on ground ivy control. Here’s a rerun on an August Turf Tip on controlling ground ivy. Background Ground ivy is difficult to control and it is a problem in 31% of lawns maintained professionally in Indiana. Earlier research by Eric Kohler has expanded our understanding of ground ivy […]
Late-summer Aerification check-List
Although this past growing season across most of Indiana has been cool and moist this is no reason to consider skipping fall core cultivation or aerification. In fact, this abnormal weather pattern is actually more conducive to thatch accumulation since many of the microbes responsible for organic matter break-down are less active in these conditions. […]
Purdue Turfgrass Research Report Available On-Line
Though members of the Midwest Regional turf Foundations received compact discs of our 2003 Research Summary a number of weeks ago, the same research summary is now available online at http://www.agry.purdue.edu/turf/report/report.htm. 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 […]
Turf 101: Why does September Fertilization of Cool-Season Grasses Work?
Normal growth patterns of cool season grass produce most leaf growth in the spring. Therefore fertilization in spring tends to stimulate even more leaf growth which may in turn decrease long-term stress tolerance in the summer months. On the other hand, cool season grasses tend to slow down leaf growth in the fall producing relatively […]
September is a Crucial Time to Fertilize All Cool-Season Turfs
Early to mid-September is the most important time to fertilize cool-season turfgrasses like creeping bentgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall or fine fescue. September fertilization is crucial on all turf areas regardless if it is a lawn, athletic field, or golf course green, tee or fairway. Fertilization in mid-September encourages the production of new […]
Seed Now!
We’re still in the middle of the optimum seeding window for cool-season turfgrasses. The optimum time to seed cool-season turfgrasses is between Aug. 15 and Sept. 15 in central IN, a week earlier in northern IN, and a week or so later in southern IN. It is important to seed as earlier as you can […]
More Evidence for Effectiveness of Fall Applications of Broadleaves
It’s been fairly well established that fall applications of herbicides are more effective than spring applications for broadleaf control. Recent work in Nebraska reported that applications of 2,4-D and/or dicamba were far more effective in controlling dandelions and Canada thistle when applied 1 to 10 days after the first fall frost than when applied 5 […]
Wait to Control Broadleaf Weeds
Though many broadleaf weeds like ground ivy, clover, and plantain are currently thriving in turf areas, resist the urge to spray them now. Following is a summary of a study that we discussed at Field Day that can help professionals improve broadleaf weed control, especially difficult-to-control weeds like ground ivy. Background Ground ivy is difficult […]
Rust in Turf
The rain and temperatures this year have favored excellent turfgrass growth, and the N applied this spring is being depleted, thus favoring rust in even regularly fertilized turf areas. Rust symptoms are reddish-orange lesions or spots on the leaf blades and a rust-colored powder that you can rub off with your fingers. Rust will rarely […]
Turf Field Day Held July 27
Thanks to everyone who attended and helped make the 2004 Midwest Regional Turf Field Day a success on Tuesday, July 27. A clear day with temperatures in the 70’s was almost perfect for the nearly 700 attendees. Attendees had the opportunity to view the latest in turfgrass research, visit with Purdue specialists, see the most […]
Thinning Turf Around Lawn Perimeter from zero-turning radius mowers
The popularity of the new zero-turning radius mowers is well-justified in terms of time and energy saving devices. However, these mowers are much heavier and faster than walk-behind mowers and thus increase compaction and turf wear. This is especially important around the perimeter of lawns (commonly referred to as the clean-up passes) where the mower […]
Brown Tracks in Lawn
I’ve seen lawns and heard this week about brown streaks that are about the width of the mower (photo). In the vast majority of the cases, these tracks are caused by the weight of a mower traversing across a portion of the lawn that was drought-stressed. Drought stress may not have been easily visible before […]
Reminder of Midwest Regional Turf Field Day on July 27
The Midwest Regional Turf Field Day will be held on July 27 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 exhibitors displaying the […]
News about Japanese beetles is mostly bad!
Japanese beetles are back! They appeared 10 days to 2 weeks earlier than normal this year and indications are pointing to a very heavy population in many parts of the state. Last years weather conditions kept soils moist which apparently led to a very successful grub hatch. Early emergence usually points to a somewhat earlier […]
Finicky Poa annua Yellowing and Thinning on Greens
In spite of the cool and dry weather, Poa annua continues to yellow and sometimes thin on golf greens. Last week Poa annua was thinning and dieing in low areas from too much water, heat, and humidity (photo). However, the cool dry weather over the weekend allowed for maximum water loss through evapotranspiration. Plus since many irrigation systems were […]
Summer stress of Poa annua and Poa trivialis in Lawns and Sports Fields
Poa annua (annual bluegrass) and Poa trivialis (rough bluegrass) in athletic fields and lawns are starting to show signs of stress. The signs of stress include laying over (poor mow-ability), yellowing, and thinning. Patches of these fine-bladed grasses seemingly die overnight with even a minimum of drought stress. Though these grasses may have blended in with the desired turf […]