We’ve just entered the optimum seeding window for cool-season grasses throughout the state of Indiana. Though seed will germinate at a wide variety of temperatures, the optimum temperatures for germination are in the table below. The temperatures listed are air temperatures which would be almost identical to that in on the surface of the soil […]
Tired of the way your lawn looks? If it hasn’t looked up to par this summer with the relatively good weather, it never will and reseeding your lawn is an option. Mid-August is the best time to seed a new lawn or overseed an existing lawn. If the lawn is just thin and needs a […]
With the fall fertilization for cool-season turfgrasses just around the corner I wanted to take a moment to make you aware of another interactive tool that is now available. This tool is intended to help you determine your fertilizer needs. The fertilizer calculator and is located at: http://www.agry.purdue.edu/turf/fertcalc/Fertilization calc.html With this information you can ensure you are […]
The summary of our turfgrass research in the year 2004 is now available at http://www.agry.purdue.edu/turf/report/2004/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 effort […]
Thanks to everyone who attended and helped make the 2005 Midwest Regional Turf Field Day a success on Tuesday, July 26. A hot steamy day with thankfully a brisk breeze greeted the almost 750 attendees. Attendees had the opportunity to view the latest in turfgrass research, visit with Purdue specialists, see the most modern equipment […]
Persistent air temperatures of 90F and soil temperatures greater than 80F combine with high humidity and adequate rainfall (in some areas) is doing in the Poa annua (annual bluegrass)and Poa trivialis (rough bluegrass)on golf courses. After a week or two of these conditions, Poa annua greens and fairways will start to thin and die in […]
Persistent air temperatures of 90F and soil temperatures greater than 80F combine with high humidity and adequate rainfall (in some areas) is also doing in the Poa annua (annual bluegrass)and Poa trivialis (rough bluegrass)on lawns and athletic fields. Patches of these fine-bladed grasses seemingly die overnight with even a minimum of drought stress. Though these […]
Dollar spot, pythium, brown patch, rust, and perhaps other diseases are ravaging perennial ryegrass lawns currently (See the attached (undoctored!) photos). Turf performance in July and August is the main reason I don’t recommend perennial ryegrass for lawns in Indiana. Perennial ryegrass requires more irrigation, more fertilizer, and more fungicide applications than my preferred grasses, […]
The first Japanese beetles of the year were observed in central Indiana on June 22 and have since come out in full force. They are being reported in large numbers from many places throughout the state feeding on their favorite plants. Plants particularly at risk include those that have been recently transplanted or those that […]
Don’t forget to register for the Midwest Regional Turf Field Day that will be held on July 26 at the W.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 […]
This is the toughest and most expensive time of the year to establish a lawn and waiting just four or five weeks to seed in the first half of August would be ideal. However, in some cases it must be done now and following are some tips to help: Success depends on irrigation and it […]
Dry and hot conditions may unfortunately favor early exit of Poa annua from golf turf. However, there is a silver lining to this. Rutgers reported that overseeding creeping bentgrass directly into a Poa stand in summer is effective for gradual conversion when done July 1. Rutgers produced significant (>25% cover) of bentgrass within 12 months […]
Velocity (byspribac) was registered for Poa annua control in creeping bentgrass last November, so this is the first summer of potential widespread use. As with all new pesticides, we’ll learn more of the finer details as we use it. We have a number of studies at Purdue currently and I just stopped at a course […]
If you are not a member of the Midwest Regional Turf Foundation, you can join now and receive one free registration to the MRTF Field Day on July 26. Other benefits of joining include reduced registration rates at all of the educational events sponsored by MRTF, regular mailings of newsletter and factsheets to help professionals […]
There are many questions about turf survival in drought with the on-going drought in most parts of the state. Though we understand many of the mechanisms of turf survival in drought, it’s hard to duplicate all of the potential situations on research plots across the country and it’s difficult to give definite “black and white” […]
FMC’s QuickSilver T&O herbicide has just received special local 24(c) registration for control of silvery thread moss in putting greens in Indiana. Though Quicksilver (carfentrazone) is used widely as a quick knockdown contact broadleaf herbicide, it has good efficacy on silvery thread moss. The recommended rate for moss is 6.7 fluid oz/A (0.154 oz/1000 ft2 followed […]
Curious about your lawn and landscape? We need your help! We’re looking for volunteers from Tippecanoe and adjacent counties to participate in our landscape study. Scientists from Purdue University will: • Survey your lawn and landscape for insects, weeds, and diseases • Determine what type(s) of turfgrasses are present • Conduct a free soil test […]
Gear up for the Midwest Regional Turf Field Day that will be held on July 26 at the W.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 […]
Dollar spot has arrived on golf courses. The standard mid- to late May fertilization of 0.75-1.0 lb N/1000 sq. ft. with primarily slow release N should have helped minimize some dollar spot. On golf courses with a long history of dollar spot, first and foremost review the fertilization practices and increase the annual N if […]
