Turf Tips Archives
For Professionals: Timing of Preemergence Herbicides
If a preemergence herbicide is justified on a turf area, the timing of application is important. In theory, applying too early will expose the herbicide to soil microbes and processes in the soil that may break it down, allowing crabgrass to germinate during the latter part of the summer. Conversely, applying too late may miss […]
Choose Preemergence herbicides with as Little N as Possible
If a preemergence herbicide is justified on your lawn to control crabgrass now, most of those are available combined with fertilizer and you are forced to apply a fertilizer now. Look for a product with low nitrogen and be sure the majority of the nitrogen is a slow release N. Slow release sources include sulfur- […]
Purdue Alumni and Friends Reception at the GCSAA in Orlando
For those making the trip to Orlando for the GCSAA International Conference and Show, the Purdue Alumni and Friends Reception will be held Thursday, January 31 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in Salon 4 of the Rosen Centre Hotel. It’s a great opportunity to catch up with your classmates and old friends. Please plan on […]
There are still openings for the IN-IL Turfgrass Short Courses
The IN-IL Turfgrass Short Course will be held in Lebanon, IN, on Feb. 11-14 and Willowbrook, IL, on Feb. 25-28. This is an outstanding course for new and experienced turf professionals. It’s designed for turf managers with some experience and an understanding of HOW we maintain turf, and meant to improve the understanding of WHY […]
Thanks to Everyone who Attended Indiana Green Expo
On behalf of the Turf Program, Midwest Regional Turf Foundation (MRTF), Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association (INLA), and Indiana Parks and Recreation Association (IPRA), I’d like to thank everyone who helped with and/or attended the 2008 Indiana Green Expo on January 13-14 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. This marks the second year where […]
Attention Professional Lawn Care Operators: Interested in Organic Options?
Interest in organic lawn care is on the rise throughout the country and many more questions than answers are still out there on how to make this work effectively. A session at the Indiana Green Expo on Monday afternoon Jan 14, will cover some of the basics and how-to’s of organic lawn care. Come with […]
Still time left to sign up for Indiana Green Expo!
The registration deadline is fast-approaching for the Green Expo and forms must be postmarked by Dec. 31. The Indiana Green Expo is the largest turf, ornamental, nursery, and landscape conference in the Indiana and is jointly sponsored by the Midwest Regional Turf Foundation, Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association, and Indiana Parks and Recreation Association. Over […]
Upcoming Education: Basic Training Turfgrass Management
This is a one-day workshop that’s 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 […]
Winterkill in warm-season turfgrasses
Winterkill in warm-season grasses is highly variable and difficult to study by scientists. Because of this, our understanding of winterkill is based on science as well as practical experience and observation. Since winterkill in warm-season grasses can be affected by genetics, temperature extremes, and management factors, an endless combination of these factors can interact to […]
How late can you seed?
We are out of the optimum window for seeding turfgrasses in Indiana. However, many are still hoping to seed. Following is a summary of our studies in the early 90’s on seeding at less than optimum times of the year. For optimum establishment, seeding should be done in late August or early September. Waiting as […]
November fertilization is critical for turf performance next year
A November application of fertilizer is extremely important to keep your lawn healthy and looking good this fall and next year. Late fall N promotes good root development, enhances storage of energy reserves, and extends color retention this fall. Most of the benefits from late fall N will be seen next spring and summer with […]
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 […]
Winterizer Fertilizers?
Currently advertised on television and in home improvement stores are “winterizer” fertilizers. There’s good and bad about winterizer fertilizers. It’s good that they are emphasizing fall and late fall fertilizer. These fertilizers usually contain the same amount of potassium as nitrogen (nitrogen is the first of the three prominent numbers on the bag while potassium […]
IN-IL Turfgrass Short Course to be offered again in Indiana this year
The IN-IL Turfgrass Short Course will be held in two locations in 2008, in Lebanon, IN on Feb. 11-14 and in Willowbrook, IL, on Feb. 25-28. This is an outstanding course for new and experienced turf professionals. It’s designed for turf managers with some experience and an understanding of HOW we maintain turf, and meant […]
Three Invasive White Grubs Found By Indiana Survey
The presence of three potentially serious white grub pests of turfgrass and ornamental plants were confirmed this year during surveys conducted by the Turfgrass Entomology and Applied Ecology Laboratory at Purdue University and the Indiana Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey with the help of several golf course superintendents, concerned citizens and one very keen graduate student […]
Rust on the rise in turf
With the warm dry weather slowing growth of most turf areas, rust is becoming common on many non-irrigated 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 kill a turf area further then a lawn already […]
Grub damage reports beginning to come in
Reports of grub damage are becoming more frequent this week. A number of reports of damage have come from northern IN where moisture conditions have created ideal conditions for grub damage in spite of preventative insecticide applications. If grub damage and live grubs are confirmed, insecticide applications are likely justified to limit future animal feeding […]
MRTF’s Turf and Ornamental Seminar in Nov 13-14
Mark your calendars for Nov 13-14 for MRTF’s Turf and Ornamental Seminar at the Daniel Center at Purdue. This course is an advanced 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 questions and discussion. Topics this […]
How Late is Too Late to Control Dandelions and Other Weeds?
Even though the drought has limited some broadleaf weed applications this month, we are now in the prime season for broadleaf weed control. Actually there is plenty of time left for good control. Nebraska research reported in 2002 showed 2,4-D and/or dicamba were far more effective in controlling dandelions and Canada thistle when applied 1 […]
Renovating Turf: Just fertilize? Add seed? Start Over?
Now that cooler temperatures and at least a little rain is back, it’s critical to help turf recover. Though we’re out of the optimum seeding window in the northern 2/3rds of Indiana, most effective recovery will be through fertilizing with 0.75-1.0 lbs N/1000 every three to four weeks until the grass stops growing in early […]