With the continued cool wet weather, Rhizoctonia Large Patch (RLP or zoysia patch) is in high gear. This follows a warm winter that also encouraged RLP, which is the only major disease of zoysiagrass in Indiana. Like snow mold, a rust to orange colored band on the outside of the patch indicates activity. Though best…Read more about Rhizoctonia Large Patch (Zoysia Patch) in Zoysia[Read More]
With the rainy weather lately, it is inevitable that you will have to mow when it is wet. Though we much prefer to mow when the grass is dry, it is better to mow when wet rather than waiting until the grass is dry but grown to 8 inches tall. A couple of pointers for…Read more about Mowing Wet Grass[Read More]
We are suspecting more and more instances of actual nematode damage or at least secondary effects of nematodes in golf greens. Effects of nematode feeding would include yellowing, thinning, enhanced drought stress, and other symptoms reflective of a poor root system. Unfortunately, symptom expression may be enhanced or complicated by poor rooting from summer weather,…Read more about Nematode Damage in Golf Greens[Read More]
Tremendous improvement in the artificial turfs has renewed interest in these turfs for sports fields. The decision to use artificial turf is difficult because these fields are a huge investment to install, maintain, and eventually replace. This technology is relatively new and still evolving, and thus questions abound on performance, safety, injury, maintenance costs, lifespan,…Read more about Considering Artificial Turf For Sports Fields?[Read More]
Recent storms have generated the weather patterns that bring black cutworm moths into our state each year. Pheromone traps picked up the first black cutworm moths of the season during the past two weeks. Predictive models estimate that the first cutworm caterpillars will begin feeding 300 heat units after the first moths are caught. Unseasonably…Read more about First Black Cutworms of the Year Found in Traps[Read More]
April 15-20 usually marks the end of the window for applying traditional preemergence herbicides in central IN, a week earlier in southern IN, and a week later in northern IN. Though most preemergence herbicides do have minor post-emergence properties that will burn back small crabgrass (one or two leaf stage), this is not always reliable….Read more about Time is Running Out for Preemergence Control of Crabgrass[Read More]
Many turf areas did not get treated for broadleaf weeds last fall because of the dry fall combined with the fairly early snowfall. Though fall applications are most effective for controlling broadleaf weeds, spring applications are warranted for new lawns or areas that did not get treated last fall. Spring applications will be most effective…Read more about Spring Dandelion Control for Professionals[Read More]
The Midwest Regional Turf Field Day has been moved one week earlier to July 18 at the Wm H Daniel Turfgrass Research and Diagnostic Center in West Lafayette. This is a great opportunity for turf professionals to view the latest in turfgrass research, talk to Purdue specialists about turf and ornamental issues, and visit with…Read more about Mark Your Calendars: Turf Field Day moved to July 18[Read More]
Ground ivy remains one of our toughest weeds to control. Following is our recommendation for maximizing control, based on experience and seven years of research: 1. Mow at 3” or higher. 2. Remove as much of the shade as possible. 3. Increase fertilizer up to 4.0 lbs N/1000ft2/yr fertilizing primarily in the fall 4. Make…Read more about Attempting Ground Ivy Control[Read More]
The annual bloom of dandelions is already here in southern and central Indiana. This marks the beginning of the second most effective period for controlling broadleaf weeds. The optimum time to control dandelions and other broadleaf weeds is in the fall and the second most effective time is in late spring, at or shortly after…Read more about Spring Dandelion Control Still Not as Effective as Fall Control[Read More]
We have received a ton of calls in the last week about improving shaded lawns. Following is a summary about shaded lawns: Turf does not perform well in the shade “Shade-adapted“ grass species and cultivars will always perform better in full sun compared to shade (regardless of what the label states) As…Read more about Turfgrass Does not Perform Well in the Shade (Period)[Read More]
Are you interested in making pesticide applications to your customers’ lawns? Indiana law says anyone who wants to apply turf pesticides (and that includes weed killers, weed and feed products, insecticides, and other over-the-counter pesticides) FOR HIRE must be licensed to do so. To obtain a commercial turf pesticide applicator FOR HIRE license, you’ll have…Read more about March 30-31 Workshop to complete requirements for pesticide licensing (3BRT)[Read More]
Common chickweed is currently dominating any fall- or dormant-seedings (including my lawn). Common chickweed is a winter annual, so it germinated last fall, grew well into December and is starting to spread with the temperatures this weekend (see accompanying photos). In established lawns, I wouldn’t recommend spraying it because it will die with the first…Read more about Common Chickweed in New Seedlings[Read More]
With last year’s brutal summer and early fall, many areas are in need of reseeding. The question comes up about seeding and weed control: should the weeds be controlled first or should the seeding be done first? This seems like a simple question, but it’s fairly complex depending on the turf and weed species present…Read more about Spring Weed Control or Seeding?[Read More]
Almost all herbicides will affect turfgrass seedlings and application delays are usually needed following seeding. Following is information gleaned from available labels of most herbicides or herbicide types that would be used in Indiana. This is intended to provide a general idea of the limitations of each active ingredient, but please refer to the actual…Read more about Herbicide Delays after Seeding[Read More]
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…Read more about Timing of Preemergence Herbicides[Read More]
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-…Read more about Choose Preemergence herbicides with as Little N as Possible[Read More]
What is CoCoRaHS? CoCoRaHS, the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow network, is a unique, non-profit, community-based, high density network of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds, who take daily measurements of rain and snow in their yards, athletic fields, or golf courses. And now, thanks to a partnership between the Indiana State Climate Office…Read more about Rain Gauge Volunteers Needed for CoCoRaHS[Read More]
The IN-IL Turfgrass Short Course will be held in two locations in 2006, in Indianapolis on Feb. 13-16 and in Willowbrook, IL, on Feb. 27-March 2. 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…Read more about There are still openings for the IN-IL Turfgrass Short Course[Read More]
The IN-IL Turfgrass Short Course will be held in two locations in 2006, in Indianapolis on Feb. 13-16 and in Willowbrook, IL, on Feb. 27-March 2. 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…Read more about IN-IL Turfgrass Short Course to be Offered in Indianapolis[Read More]
