April was a wet month in Indiana with rainfall totaling 2-10 inches more than normal in April for areas of Indiana (see precipitation map below). Heavy rainfall can cause flooding stress on turf. Flooding reduces oxygen to the plants from the soil and could ultimately lead to plant death without oxygen. If water saturation is…Read more about Flooding on turf[Read More]
No you are not imagining this. The specks are actually moving. That is because they are actually tiny mites called clover mites. Clover mites can become annoying household pests, especially in and around homes where new lawns have recently been established or where there’s a heavy growth of well-fertilized grass close to foundation walls. They…Read more about Small Moving Specks on the Windowsill?[Read More]
We continue to receive reports of spring-time turfgrass damage caused by raccoons or skunks. These animals are not feeding on the grass but rather are foraging for below ground, high populations of white grubs. As the vertebrates forage, they turn over great clumps of turfgrass resulting in an area that resembles a war zone. Sometimes…Read more about Skunks and Raccoons causing Havoc?[Read More]
Preemergence herbicides prevent emergence of crabgrass plants. These products must be applied prior to crabgrass germination which on an average year could occur as early as April 1 in southern Indiana and three or more weeks later in northern Indiana. It is essential to apply these products early in spring prior to crabgrass germination. Last…Read more about Cooler Than Average Spring Temperatures for Some May Extend the Window for Preemergence Herbicide Applications[Read More]
Both spring beauty (Claytonia virginica) and star-of-bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum) are spring flowering weeds that are similar in appearance and sometimes problematic in lawns. Below is a comparison of the two species including control recommendations for both turf professionals and homeowners. Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) Star-of-Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum) Description: Small perennial plant originating from corms. Leaves…Read more about Spring Beauty and Star-of-Bethlehem[Read More]
Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) is beginning to produce seedheads this time of year which are difficult to mow and can cause a lawn to appear uneven. However, there are other grasses such as annual bluegrass (Poa annua) that also produce similar looking seedheads. Annual bluegrass is a winter annual or weak perennial turfgrass species which…Read more about To whom does this seedhead belong?[Read More]
Fertilizer loading Fill spreaders over a hard surface such as a driveway, sidewalk, or other hard concrete or asphalt surface. This will allow easy clean-up if any material is spilled. Fertilizer spills over turf usually result in turf death to the affected spot. If product is spilled during loading (A), clean-up the material immediately by…Read more about Spilled Fertilizer: Loading and Application[Read More]
Nimblewill (Muhlenbergia schreberi) is a weed that thin patches in lawns. Since nimblewill is a warm-season grass, it will turn brown at the first frost and is very slow to green-up in the spring. The brown patches seen in lawns in the early spring may be nimblewill contamination. This weed spreads from seeds produced and…Read more about What’s that brown spot: Nimblewill in lawns[Read More]
Spring is almost upon us and overwintering white grubs will soon be emerging from the depths to continue feeding for a short time before they pupate. These overwintering grubs typically spend the frigid months of December – February deep in the soil profile (up to 12 inches deep) to avoid freezing. As soil temperatures begin…Read more about Spring Grub Control Not Your Best Bet[Read More]
This turf tip is part of a three part series on spring seeding. Most turfgrass herbicides are intended for use on established grasses. Thus, herbicide use on newly planted grasses should be very conservative. If possible, wait until the grass has gone through several mowings or a full growing season before using chemical weed control….Read more about Part III: Controlling broadleaf weeds in newly seeded areas[Read More]
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, Fig. A, C, D) the pathogens are not closely related and…Read more about Snow mold damage – 2011[Read More]
Part II: Preemergence and postemergence herbicides for crabgrass control in newly seeded areas This turf tip is part of a three part series on spring seeding. Early spring preemergence herbicides are often necessary in Indiana to prevent troublesome annual grassy weeds such as crabgrass and goosegrass. Additionally, these applications help to prevent the emergence of…Read more about Rejuvenating Turf in 2011: Part II[Read More]
We have been working hard this winter trying to help you be more efficient….. These tools/calculators are now available on our Purdue Turf Science web-site to help you answer various turf-related questions. An updated Turf Fertilizer Calculator. It still allows you to calculate granular fertilizer needs based on target nutrient rate and product analysis. It…Read more about Check out these new and improved tools![Read More]
The GDDTracker Team (Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio) is proud to launch the latest version of our turf pest tracking web site (http://www.gddtracker.net/). We have been very hard at work to bring you an even better product in 2011. You can now drop a star on the map to mark your location and with the…Read more about New GDDTracker site is live![Read More]
Part I: Spring seeding options (This turf tip is part of a three part series on spring seeding.) Seeding in spring is difficult and often unsuccessful. However, there are circumstances that warrant a spring seeding: Thin turf due to winter damage Poor turf density due to poor recovery from previous year’s problems, i.e., grub damage,…Read more about Rejuvenating Turf in 2011: Part I[Read More]
Purdue students continue to protect their “turf” among the rise of new competitors at the 17th Annual Collegiate Turf Bowl Competition hosted during the 2011 Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Conference and Show in Orlando, FL. The three-hour competition this year challenged student’s knowledge of more practical concepts of turfgrass management including disease,…Read more about Purdue Turf Bowl Teams Place in Top Third of Field[Read More]
Please complete this two question survey. It should take you less than one minute. Follow this link to complete the survey: https://purdue.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_1Yugo3dCjOystaQ The Midwest Regional Turf Foundation would like to know if offering a members only website would be beneficial and find out what you would like to have on this website. You do not…Read more about Members Only Website[Read More]
For those making the trip to Orlando for the Golf Industry Show, the Indiana Reception, Sponsored by the Midwest Regional Turf Foundation and Purdue Agronomy Department will be held Wednesday, February 9, 6:00 to 8:00 pm in Salon 8 of the Rosen Plaza Hotel, 9700 International Dr, Orlando, FL. It’s a great opportunity to catch…Read more about Indiana Reception at the GCSAA in Orlando[Read More]
For those of you that had the opportunity January 17-19 to attend the Indiana Green Expo, I am sure that you noticed the eight educational sessions, six workshops, and trade show that was offered. Over 1,850 people attended the expo this year and we heard many good comments about the education program and the 126…Read more about Indiana Green Expo a Success![Read More]
Cody Whitis, Justin Shirley, Joey Gerking, and Zak Peterson traveled to Austin, TX for the seventh annual Student Challenge Exam at the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) Meetings. Purdue placed 1st out of 32 teams. The students worked hard to prepare for the competition and were surprised when announced in 1st place. “This motivates us…Read more about Students Placed 1st at the Seventh Annual Sports Turf Competition[Read More]
