Turf Tips Archives
New Publications on Tree Selection, Planting, and Diagnosis
The following new publications about tree selection, planting and diagnosis might be of interest to you. See below for more details. Why is My Tree Dying? (FNR-FAQ-11-W) https://mdc.itap.purdue.edu/item.asp?itemID=20568 This publication explains how trees can be injured and die from damage suffered during construction projects. Author: Lindsey Purcell, Urban Forestry Specialist. Tree Installation: Process and Practices […]
Early Spring Insect Update
Not surprisingly, the early spring warm-up has resulted in a frenzy of early season insect activity. We were out in the field earlier this week to get a handle on just how far ahead insect activity may be this year and we were somewhat exasperated by what we found… Billbugs Billbugs are out in […]
Black Cutworm and Armyworm Moths Are Early Arrivals in 2012
The mild winter experienced throughout the midwest has affected the arrival of our early season moths. Recent reports of both armyworm and black cutworm adults throughout the state signal an early arrival of the caterpillars. The first order of business for these moths is to mate and lay eggs. Golf course superintendents and athletic field […]
Crabgrass is Now Germinating at Most Indiana Locations
The GDD Tracker website (sponsored by the MRTF and Purdue University) is predicting that crabgrass is now germinating at most Indiana Locations (see figure below). The GDD Tracker estimated that crabgrass germinated in Lafayette, IN after Wednesday this week and I was able to confirm this by identifying newly germinated crabgrass (see figure below) both […]
When Will Crabgrass Germinate?
With the rapidly warming weather, several are asking “When will crabgrass germinate?” The reason this is so important is because preemergence herbicides used for the control of crabgrass must be applied prior to emergence (except dithiopyr (Dimension) which can be used postemergence on crabgrass up to 1-tiller). There are several different ways to try and […]
Unwinter, Poa seedheads and Growing Degree Days, Oh MY!!!
As the “un-winter of 2011-2012” rapidly winds to a close golf course managers are already bringing their playing surfaces into peak form. For those managing putting surfaces containing annual bluegrass (Poa annua) this means addressing concerns that seedheads are affecting surface smoothness. With the lack of snow cover this past winter, the seedhead season is […]
Get your motor running: Crabgrass control adjustment
With warm temperatures this winter many are questioning how to adjust their turf management practices in 2012. In the past 90 days, Indiana temperatures have averaged 3-4 degrees warmer than normal. The forecast also shows that we will likely continue to be warmer than normal during the next 30 days. Although I do not foresee […]
Purdue Turf Bowl Teams Place in the Top Ten in Las Vegas!!!
Purdue students continue to protect their “turf” among the rise of new competitors at the 18th Annual Collegiate Turf Bowl Competition hosted during the 2012 Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) International Golf Course Conference and Show in Las Vegas, NV. The three and one-half hour competition this year challenged student’s knowledge of more […]
2012 = Same Pests But Earlier ETA
With the very mild winter that most of Indiana experienced so far, we are being asked about its effect on insect populations for this year. The consensus among turfgrass entomologists is that although insect populations were probably not especially hurt by low temperatures this winter, they probably have not benefitted that much either. Insect pests […]
Purdue Turf Alumni and Friends at the Golf Industry Show
Visit the Purdue Turf booth # 2979 and receive some great Purdue promotional items Join us for an impromptu gathering at Queen Victoria Pub at the Riviera Hotel (2901 Las Vegas Blvd., South | Las Vegas, NV) on Wednesday, February 29, 7:30 pm We will not have a formal reception this year
Imprelis Herbicide Injury: 2011 PPDL ‘Host’ List
We have received questions pertaining to susceptibility of plants to Imprelis. We do not have a list of “susceptible vs. not susceptible” plants because we do not know exactly which plants might be affected under certain growing conditions. However, based on our experience in the PPDL this past summer the list below contains the names […]
Purdue Students Place 1st at the Eighth Annual Sports Turf Competition
For the second year in a row the Purdue Turf Program has placed 1st in the Student Challenge Exam during the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) Meetings held January 10-14, 2012. Eight students traveled out to Long Beach, CA for the eighth annual Student Challenge Exam at the STMA Meetings. The four person team of […]
Purdue Turf Scholarship Winners
The Purdue Turf Program granted over $15,000 in scholarship funds to nineteen students. These students have shown high academic achievement, outstanding character and a desire to be in the Turfgrass Industry. Congratulations to all of the Purdue Turf students that received scholarships. Chad Melton, Don Fassnacht Scholarship C.J. Coy, Jean and Lee Schmidt […]
Successful Indiana Green Expo
Last week (January 11-13, 2012) the Purdue Turf Program and the Midwest Regional Turf Foundation hosted the Indiana Green Expo (IGE) in cooperation with the Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association. The IGE is Indiana’s most comprehensive green industry educational conference and trade show. It is a time of education, new products and networking with industry […]
Still time left to sign up for Indiana Green Expo to be held Jan 11-13!
The registration deadline is fast-approaching for the Indiana Green Expo and forms must be postmarked by Dec. 31, 2011. The Indiana Green Expo is the largest turf, ornamental, nursery, and landscape conference in Indiana and is jointly sponsored by the Midwest Regional Turf Foundation and Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association. Over sixty experts from across […]
Winter Annual Weeds
Four types of broadleaf weeds exist: 1) perennial (those living more than two years), biennial (those living two years), 3) summer annuals (those germinating in the spring and dying in the fall), and 4) winter annuals (those germinating in the fall and surviving the winter and dying the following spring). Since many of these winter […]
Imprelis Return and Refund Program
On October 17, DuPont began a process to recall and refund Imprelis from Turf professionals. DuPont has contacted distributors, who will be coordinating with turf professionals to ensure that all remaining full and partially full bottles of Imprelis® are returned. Turf professionals have 10 business days to return all Imprelis® product (4.5 fl. oz., 1.0 […]
Grass Clippings and Herbicides
I have received a few questions recently regarding the use of grass clippings on lawns treated with herbicides. Here is one of those questions: “Our Master Gardener Association will be working on a project in which they hope to use a great amount of lawn clippings to put down as compost in a large area. […]