With the mild drought stress over the last week, lawns are extremely susceptible to cosmetic damage from mowers, spreaders, and human traffic (photos). Drought stress may not have been easily visible before mowing. Turf likely was at the drought stressed stage where footprints (or mower tracks) remain in the turf and don’t snap back like…Read more about Brown Tracks in Lawn[Read More]
The annual phase of rapid cool-season shoot growth of cool-season grasses is nearly complete, though it was diminished this year because of the dry and cool weather. It’s now time to consider fertilizing your lawn because fertilizer now will not dramatically increase vertical growth as long as moderate nitrogen rates are used and it will…Read more about Late May is Good Time to Fertilize Lawns[Read More]
With the bizarre weather this spring, growth patterns of our cool-season grasses are inconsistent across the state. Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, and perennial ryegrass are either producing or soon will be producing seedheads. This natural phenomenon is induced primarily by daylength, but varies among species and cultivars. Seedheads detract from the appearance of a turf…Read more about Seedheads Make for Tough Mowing[Read More]
We have received a number of calls, email, and electronic photos inquiring about brown patches to entire lawns turning brown apparently overnight (see photos). Following are the three most likely culprits: • Seedheads – Especially on perennial ryegrass lawns, seed heads mowed by an even a marginally sharp blade will fray and turn brown as…Read more about Lawns turning brown overnight?[Read More]
There are many different sand topdressing programs used by superintendents. Budgets, experience, labor and equipment availability, and play schedule are just some of the factors affecting topdressing programs. Our research hopes to provide answers to many of the common topdressing questions and help present a better understanding of the topdressing requirements for high quality putting…Read more about Sand Topdressing Programs[Read More]
Though fall applications are most effective for controlling broadleaf weeds, spring applications are warranted for many turf areas. Now that dandelions are blooming or in the puffball stage throughout IN, applications should be effective. It does not take much wind to drift and damage off- target ornamentals, gardens, and trees. Amines tend to be less…Read more about Spring Dandelion Control for Professionals[Read More]
Crabgrass is starting to germinate throughout much of the state and thus preemergence herbicides will be of limited effectiveness. Though some will report burn-back of very small crabgrass with a strictly preemergence application, combining a preemergence with a postemergence herbicide will be most effective for the next two months. The postemergence herbicide will control that…Read more about Time to Switch Crabgrass Control Strategies[Read More]
As you begin planning for spring core cultivation, consider the following as some food for thought. Turf research has shown that excessive organic matter, and/or thatch (> ½ inch), in the upper (1-2 inches) rootzone profile can lead to rapid turf decline during stressful summer months. Excessive organic matter results in low soil oxygen, poor/shallow…Read more about Managing Surface Organic Matter in Bentgrass Putting Greens[Read More]
Noticing yellow to white patches in areas that were freshly mowed just prior to last week’s cold? Judging from what I’ve seen as well as the emails, you’re not alone. Taking a closer look at these areas, the leaf tips and maybe the full length of the leaf has yellowed or even turned necrotic (dead)…Read more about Cold Weather Yellowing or Bleaching Newly Mowed Turf[Read More]
Mark your calendar for the 2007 Turf Field Day at the W.H. Daniel Center in West Lafayette on July 17, 2007. Come see the most up-to-date research that the Purdue Turf Program is doing and don’t forget to pre-register to get the pork chop lunch! Registration forms will be sent out in early May.
The winter annual downy brome is growing aggressively in turf stands currently, almost twice as fast as the desired Kentucky bluegrass or tall fescue (photo). Downey brome is fairly easily identified at this time of the year by its hairy leaves and sheaths and it has a split collar with jagged membranous ligule (photo). It…Read more about Downy brome growing fast and furious in turf stands[Read More]
The summary of our turfgrass research in the year 2006 is now available at http://www.agry.purdue.edu/turf/report/2006/index.htm. The overall goal of our research program is to minimize inputs while maintaining turf quality, minimizing costs, and further protecting our environment. Our research summary contains over 40 reports of on-going research at Purdue University . The report is a cooperative…Read more about Purdue Turfgrass Research Report Available On-Line[Read More]
The recent cold snap should have little long term effect on the turf portion of the landscape. Our cool-season grasses are more than capable of withstanding weather like this, though newly emerged seedlings may suffer some damage from the cold and/or wind. Wind or desiccation damage may also be seen on fast growing tall fescue…Read more about Effect of cold snap on turf?[Read More]
Wild onion and wild garlic are now fully emerged throughout the state of Indiana and these are two of the more difficult to control weeds. Like the garden varieties, these plants are edible and similar looking, except the stems of the wild type are much thinner and do not grow as tall as the garden…Read more about Controlling Wild Onion or Wild Garlic[Read More]
We have received a number of calls this year about trying to control the crabgrass running rampant in lawns. It’s a much more coarse bladed and lighter green than the rest of the grass, so it must be crabgrass? It’s not crabgrass and is more likely tall fescue. Though crabgrass and tall fescue may look…Read more about Do-It-Yourselfer: Is it Crabgrass or Tall Fescue?[Read More]
Star of Bethlehem and Spring Beauty are currently emerging and flowering in shaded areas in southern and central Indiana . Both plants have pretty white flowers with the Star of Bethlehem having six petals while Spring Beauty has only five petals. The Star of Bethlehem was once planted as an ornamental while the…Read more about Star of Bethlehem , Spring Beauty Emerging in Shaded Areas[Read More]
It was just a matter of time. While invasive species such as the emerald ash borer have been garnering so much attention in the press, the Turfgrass Entomology and Applied Ecology Laboratory at Purdue University has been tracking the spread of three additional species of invasive, turfgrass infesting white grubs (European chafer, Asiatic garden beetle…Read more about A New Threat to Indiana Turfgrass: Two Species of Invasive Scarab Beetles (White grubs) Found in Northern Indiana[Read More]
Late summer (August) is easily the best time to seed cool-season grasses, but sometimes turf must be seeded in the spring. The following points should help improve the success of spring seeding: 1. Seed as soon as possible (now is not too early) so the seed is in the ground and ready to germinate as…Read more about If You Must Seed, Do it Now[Read More]
With the above average temperatures over the last few weeks, many questions have arisen again about when to apply the preemergence herbicide for crabgrass. As mentioned in the February 20 edition of Turf Tips, it is much better to apply early rather than late. It is still not too late to apply preemergence herbicide as…Read more about Timing of Preemergence Herbicides: Part 2[Read More]
Prostrate knotweed is currently germinating in thin areas next to sidewalks, cart paths, driveways and other hotspots. Knotweed is often confused with crabgrass at this early stage. Knotweed leaves have rounded leaf tips whereas crabgrass has leaf tips that come to a dull point (See photos). Crabgrass also has veins running lengthwise (parallel veination) whereas…Read more about Knotweed germinating next to sidewalks and other hotspots[Read More]
