Turf Tips Archives
It’s not too late to do a lot of good for your lawn
The fundamental principle for effective lawn pest control is to “Cultivate a dense, healthy turf”. One way to promote turf density is to properly feed the plant at a time when it is most capable of utilizing these nutrients for purposes other than leaf growth. For cool-season grasses shoot density naturally increases during the autumn […]
Open Position on the MRTF Board of Directors
There is one opening on the MRTF Board of Directors in the upcoming December elections. MRTF’s mission is to support research and education and thus help advance our industry. We are looking for a potential board member dedicated to our industry and desiring to help steer the direction of turfgrass research and education. The commitment […]
Upcoming Education: Basic Training Turfgrass Management
This one-day workshop is perfect for new-comers to the industry as well as more experienced professionals who want a refresher course on turf management. This is a perfect training opportunity for you or your staff from lawn care operators, sports, golf course, or anywhere turf is managed professionally. Turfgrass growth, cultural practices, and fertilization will […]
A Few Opening Still Available for the Turf and Ornamental Seminar on November 9-10.
The Turf and Ornamental Seminar will be held on Monday November 9 and Tuesday November 10 at the Daniel Center at Purdue. This course is an advanced class for lawn care, golf course, sports turf, and sales staff. Enrollment is definitely limited to 70 attendees to optimize individual attention and allow plenty of time for […]
Cold, rainy, windy conditions playing havoc on fall applications
The window for effective broadleaf weed control is closing fast and we normally see good control of difficult-to-control weeds like ground ivy until about the end of October. However, you may still get adequate control of easier-to-control weeds like dandelion through the first week of November or as long as daytime highs are 50F or […]
Turf 101: Why does a November application of fertilizer work?
Nitrogen stimulates increased photosynthesis and the extra energy derived from this goes directly into growth, respiration to maintain the plant (similar to humans), or into storage. In early November, the temperature is still adequate for photosynthesis, but cool enough to minimize respiration demands and too cold for significant growth. Therefore, most of the extra energy […]
Cool, damp weather hindering fall turf work
The almost constant rain/drizzle/wet conditions coupled with early unseasonably cool temperatures have hindered progress in fall maintenance. All is not lost though because warmer and drier weather is in the forecast. Seeding: It’s too late to seed throughout IN to expect expect germination and enough maturation of the grass to survive winter temperatures. A previous […]
Keep mowing and don’t set the mower down
Many people ask how long to continue mowing into the fall. The answer is to keep mowing as long as the grass continues to grow which is normally into late October or early November. Frequency of mowing can decrease but continue to mow into the fall. Also avoid the urge to set the mower down […]
Keep mowing to mulch those tree leaves!
The trees are dropping their leaves and it is important to prevent a heavy layer of leaves from building-up on your turf before winter. Heavy layers of tree leaves will shade the grass can smother and kill grass yet this fall. Plus tree leaf cover favors a damaging winter turf disease called snow mold. The […]
Regenerating Fall Use Athletic Fields
The end is near for Fall-use athletic fields, either literally or figuratively. With the recent wet weather, football and soccer fields have taken a beating. Don’t give up on these fields yet, because after the last game or practice is when you should work hardest to improve the field. Aggressive hollow-tine aerification, pulling 20 – […]
Openings still available for MRTF Golf Day on September 30
Openings are still available for the MRTF Golf Day at The Fort Golf Resort in Indianapolis on September 30. We also have the opportunity for you or your company to sponsor a tee sign. More information on sponsorship and a PDF registration form can be found at www.agry.purdue.edu/turf/events/golfday.html or register on-line at http://mrtf.org/php/education.php#Golf. If you have any questions […]
Professionals Only: Dry weather hampers broadleaf weed control, fertilization
Though we are now in the window for maximum broadleaf weed control and fall fertilization, the dry weather throughout most of the state is hampering applications. Avoid herbicide and/or fertilizer application to drought stressed or dormant turf to limit turf damage and maximize intended effect of the application. On turf that’s still green (like in […]
Controlling escaped fountaingrass in a lawn.
Fountain grass and other ornamental grasses have added tremendously to landscapes of homes, commercial sites, and golf courses. However, we are now seeing some of these grasses escape from the ornamental beds into the turf. One in particular is fountain grass (Pennisetum spp) because it produces viable seeds which blow into surrounding turf and may […]
Cool temperatures allow a jump on beneficial fall maintenance practices
The recent record or near record low temperatures combine with adequate soil moisture is advantageous for our cool-season turfgrasses, especially compared to the typical August-September heat and drought. Fall fertilization can begin anytime, especially with rain in the forecast to help water in the application. White grub damage will likely be minimal with overall health […]
Damping off diseases in new seedlings
Although the cool weather tends to limit disease in new seedlings, a spike in the temperatures could trigger outbreaks in juvenile turf yet this year. Late summer is clearly the best time of the year to seed for a variety of reasons, but we must deal with two difficulties of seeding at this time: Our […]
MRTF Golf Day at The Fort in Indianapolis on September 30
Openings are still available for the MRTF Golf Day at The Fort Golf Resort in Indianapolis on September 30. This annual event is held to promote turfgrasss research, raise awareness of the Purdue Turfgrass Science Program, and provide an enjoyable day of golf. With a centralized location and afternoon shotgun start we hope to draw […]
Tall fescue for Indiana lawns but not most sports fields
Tall fescue is a great turf for lawns throughout most of Indiana. It requires about ½ the nitrogen and far less irrigation than Kentucky bluegrass when managed for the same aesthetic appearance. Because of its deeper rooting and access to water in the soil, it stays greener than Kentucky bluegrass much longer into a drought. […]
Drought affects all turf areas differently
We are fielding a number of calls like “Why is my lawn is turning brown while my neighbors isn’t, even though neither of us irrigate?”. On any given turf area or in a neighborhood, we can see a wide variety of responses to the current drought. Following is a list of factors that will affect […]
How much perennial ryegrass/Kentucky bluegrass in a mix?
With the renovation season here, questions abound about how much perennial ryegrass to use in a P. rye/K. bluegrass mix. Perennial ryegrass germinates quickly and provides quick cover and soil stabilization when used in a blend. However, too much perennial ryegrass leads to long-term problems from dollar spot, brown patch, red thread, and other diseases. […]
Now is the Time to Start Improving Your Lawn
Tired of the way your lawn looks? If it hasn’t looked up to par this summer with the relatively good weather, it never will and reseeding your lawn is an option. Mid-August is the best time to seed a new lawn or overseed an existing lawn. If the lawn is just thin and needs a […]