With the incessant rain and high winds, most applications of broadleaf herbicides have been delayed. The good news is its not too late to apply. 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 to 10 days after the first fall frost…Read more about How Late is Too Late to Control Dandelions and Other Weeds?[Read More]
The MRTF will be joining forces with the Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association as well as the Indiana Parks and Recreation Association to present the Indiana Green Expo on Jan 10-12 at the Indiana Convention Center. Joining forces tremendously expands the educational opportunities as well as the scope and size of the tradeshow. Over 80…Read more about Indiana Green Expo on January 10-12[Read More]
We are finishing up our nematode survey for 2006 and following is a summary of the results: • We processed a total of 163 samples from 26 golf courses across Indiana, Illinois, and northern Kentucky. • Ring nematodes were most common, found in 97% of the samples and 49% of the samples had counts higher…Read more about Summary of Nematode Survey on Indiana Greens: 2006[Read More]
The development of seeded zoysia will enable many more southern Indiana golf courses to enjoy the benefits of zoysia at reduced establishment costs. Benefits of zoysia include great playability during all four seasons, good winter tolerance, and low fertilization, irrigation, and pesticide requirements. These qualities make zoysia easily the best grass for transition zone fairways….Read more about Considering seeded zoysia for fairways?[Read More]
The MRTF will be joining forces with the Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association as well as the Indiana Parks and Recreation Association to present the Indiana Green Expo on Jan 10-12 at the Indiana Convention Center. Joining forces tremendously expands the educational opportunities as well as the scope and size of the tradeshow. Over 80…Read more about Indiana Green Expo on January 10-12[Read More]
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]
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…Read more about Don’t Give Up Yet, November Fertilization is Critical[Read More]
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…Read more about How late can you seed?[Read More]
Though weather this summer and fall wasn’t as bad as last year, we’ve still had our share of thin turf and fall events are taking their toll on the cool-season grasses. The perennial cause is the naturally shallow rooting of Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass at the same time that football and soccer seasons get…Read more about Little Time to Improve Athletic Turf This Year[Read More]
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]
Openings are still available for the MRTF Golf Day on Oct 12 at the Hale Irwin-designed Coyote Crossing Golf Club in West Lafayette. This is the eighth annual event held to promote turfgrass research, raise awareness of the Purdue Turfgrass Science Program, and provide an enjoyable day of golf. It’s an early morning event starting…Read more about MRTF Golf Day at Coyote Crossing on Oct. 12[Read More]
We found that herbicides applied from October 1 through November 1 improved long-term ground ivy control compared to the same herbicides applied in September. Our speculation is that weeds are killed either directly by the herbicide when applied later in the fall or weakened to the point that they succumb to winterkill. Herbicides applied earlier…Read more about Broadleaf Control Improves Later in Fall[Read More]
Openings are still available for the MRTF Golf Day on Oct 12 at the Hale Irwin-designed Coyote Crossing Golf Club in West Lafayette. This is the eighth annual event held to promote turfgrass research, raise awareness of the Purdue Turfgrass Science Program, and provide an enjoyable day of golf. It’s an early morning event starting…Read more about MRTF Golf Day at Coyote Crossing on Oct. 12[Read More]
Fall use athletic fields are taking a beating right now. To help those fields, fertilizing aggressively with 1.0 lb N in September and again in October will help. Fertilizing is the most inexpensive but effective way to improve any sports field. Though it’s easier said than done, aerifying during extended breaks in practices or games…Read more about Helping Fall-use Athletic Fields[Read More]
Those dandelions, clover, and other broadleaf weeds that were a problem all summer should be controlled this fall. The period from late September through all of October is the ideal time to control broadleaf weeds in turfgrass because broadleaf weeds are most susceptible to herbicides at this time. The turf and weeds must be green…Read more about Open Season on Dandelions, Clover, and Other Broadleaf Weeds[Read More]
The Purdue Boilermaker’s 60-35 win this past Saturday was not only the first test for the football program but also the first real test and a historic milestone for Purdue’s newly renovated field. The beginning of this season marks a new era in Purdue football as Ross-Ade stadium becomes the only Big-10 stadium with a…Read more about New Era begins for Ross-Ade stadium turf[Read More]
The tremendous crabgrass pressure mentioned in earlier Turf Tips deserves more attention and the most common question is “Why is it so bad this year?”. The obvious answer to this is the above average heat and humidity during July increased disease pressure and thinned or weakened turf. Crabgrass germinated in these new gaps and quickly…Read more about Crabgrass Problem Revisited[Read More]
It is increasingly common for newly-established lawns to thin or completely fail within a year. There are many reasons for this to occur but here are my top ten: 1. Poor soil – heavy clay in today’s subdivisions is not conducive for quality turf, so good soil preparation is required, see number 3. 2. Poor…Read more about Why New Lawns Fail?[Read More]
From the parts of the state with adequate rainfall, we have received reports of turf with white, black, gray, red, orange, purple, and or rust-colored powder (see photo). This is slime mold, a fungus-like organism that often occurs during prolonged warm and wet weather. Slime molds appear to damage turf, but their effects are only…Read more about Funny Colors in Your Turf?[Read More]
Late summer is the best time to establish Kentucky bluegrass, creeping bentgrass, tall fescue, and perennial ryegrass from seed. Between August 15 and September 15 is optimum seeding time in the northern half of Indiana, from September 1 to September 30 is optimum in the southern half of Indiana. It is critical to seed as…Read more about Now is the Time to Seed Cool-Season Turf[Read More]
