Turfgrass Science at Purdue University

Recent cold temperatures should have little effect on winter survival of Bermuda, zoysiagrass, or cool-season turfgrasses.

The recent cold snap has raised a number of questions about survival of warm-season turfgrasses, especially given the relatively recent popularity of bermudagrass for fairways and athletic fields. Though winterkill is highly variable, all turfgrasses are most susceptible to cold temperatures very early and very late in the winter and thus we wouldn’t expect much…Read more about Recent cold temperatures should have little effect on winter survival of Bermuda, zoysiagrass, or cool-season turfgrasses.[Read More]

Thanks to all who attended the Indiana Green Expo

On behalf of the Turf Program, Midwest Regional Turf Foundation (MRTF), Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association (INLA), and Indiana Flower Growers Association (IFGA), thanks to everyone who helped with and/or attended the 2010 Indiana Green Expo on January 6-8 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. This marks the fourth year of cooperation between the…Read more about Thanks to all who attended the Indiana Green Expo[Read More]

Early-Bird deadline extended to midnight on Monday 12/21 for pre-registration to the Indiana Green Expo.

Time’s running out to register for the Indiana Green Expo to be held January 6-9 in Indianapolis. Though attendee registration is running slightly ahead of last year, we’re still extending the web registration and postmark deadline for reduced registration fees until Monday Dec. 21 at 11:59 pm. Highlights of the Expo include: 65 speakers from…Read more about Early-Bird deadline extended to midnight on Monday 12/21 for pre-registration to the Indiana Green Expo.[Read More]

Invitation to the Indiana Green Expo from Gary Shetler, MRTF President

This is a special invitation to all the Turf Industry to attend the Indiana Green Expo on January 6-9 in Indianapolis. If you have never attended or haven’t attended in a while, consider attending this year in spite of the economy. The educational program is consistently one of the best nationally and is incredibly diverse…Read more about Invitation to the Indiana Green Expo from Gary Shetler, MRTF President[Read More]

Register for the Indiana Green Expo

Get your registration in for the Indiana Green Expo held Janauary 7-8, 2009 at the Indiana Convention Center in Downtown Indianapolis. The early-bird registration deadline is fast-approaching and forms must be postmarked by Dec. 18, 2009. The Indiana Green Expo is the largest turf, ornamental, nursery, and landscape conference in Indiana and is jointly sponsored…Read more about Register for the Indiana Green Expo[Read More]

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…Read more about It’s not too late to do a lot of good for your lawn[Read More]

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…Read more about Open Position on the MRTF Board of Directors[Read More]

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…Read more about Upcoming Education: Basic Training Turfgrass Management[Read More]

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…Read more about A Few Opening Still Available for the Turf and Ornamental Seminar on November 9-10.[Read More]

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…Read more about Cold, rainy, windy conditions playing havoc on fall applications[Read More]

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…Read more about Turf 101: Why does a November application of fertilizer work?[Read More]

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…Read more about Cool, damp weather hindering fall turf work[Read More]

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…Read more about Keep mowing and don’t set the mower down[Read More]

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…Read more about Keep mowing to mulch those tree leaves![Read More]

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 –…Read more about Regenerating Fall Use Athletic Fields[Read More]

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…Read more about Openings still available for MRTF Golf Day on September 30[Read More]

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…Read more about Professionals Only: Dry weather hampers broadleaf weed control, fertilization[Read More]

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…Read more about Controlling escaped fountaingrass in a lawn.[Read More]

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…Read more about Cool temperatures allow a jump on beneficial fall maintenance practices[Read More]

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…Read more about Damping off diseases in new seedlings[Read More]

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