Tan patches in an otherwise green lawn at this time of the year are likely due to either slow-greening warm-season grasses or snow mold. The most common tan patch right now is warm-season grasses like nimblewill or zoysia (photos). Time, warming temperatures, and rainfall are the cures for most of these patches and they should…Read more about Tan Patches in an Otherwise Green Lawn[Read More]
Patches of tall fescue or perennial ryegrass are currently much greener than Kentucky bluegrass (photos). Patches of these two grasses are prominent right now as the bluegrass is just starting to green up. Give it another week and the bluegrass will catch up with the tall fescue or ryegrass. No control is needed to remove…Read more about Dark Green Patches in Otherwise Lighter Green Lawn[Read More]
Star of Bethlehem and Spring Beauty are currently emerging and flowering in shaded areas. 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 Spring Beauty is native. Both plants are…Read more about Star of Bethlehem, Spring Beauty Emerging in Shaded Areas[Read More]
The annual bloom of dandelions is already here in southern Indiana and just around the corner in the rest of the state. Though some find dandelions attractive and some may actually eat them in salads or wine, others consider dandelions as weeds and try to control them in a lawn. The optimum time to control…Read more about Dandelions: Friend or Foe?[Read More]
There are many cool-season turfgrasses suitable and adapted to home-lawns in Indiana. They include; Kentucky bluegrass, turf-type tall fescue, fineleaf fescue and to a certain extent even “perennial” ryegrass. Many new lawns are established using seed because it is much less expensive than sod. Unfortunately, in many instances inexperienced homeowners or landscape contractors often purchase…Read more about Buyer Beware: Annual Ryegrass is Not a Persistent Turfgrass Species for Indiana Homelawns[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…Read more about Herbicide Delays after Seeding[Read More]
Many of our pest problems in turf can be at least partially predicted through growing degree day models (Poa annua seedheads is one example). Most of the models use a base temperature of 50 (abbreviated as GDD50) assuming 50 degrees is the temperature when most of our biological activity starts occurring. GDD50 for IN can…Read more about Tracking Growing Degree Days[Read More]
With last year’s late summer and fall drought, 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]
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]
For the vast majority of homeowners, resist the urge to fertilize now. Fertilizing now can encourage too much growth and could lead to problems later this summer such as poor root growth and disease. Additionally, since spring rains play havoc with mowing schedules, nitrogen fertilization can further complicate your mowing schedule by causing grass plants…Read more about To Fertilize Lawns or not to Fertilize: That is the Question[Read More]
Now’s the time to get the mower out of the shed, make sure it starts and is ready to go when you need it in the next few weeks. Be sure to sharpen the blade and make sure the mower is working well mechanically. You should begin mowing at 3 inches or so once the…Read more about Fire up the Mower![Read More]
Now is a very good time to spend a little extra effort in controlling those pesky moles. Recent warm, wet weather has returned these nasty little turfgrass destroyers back to the surface of the soil where they are making runs throughout the turfgrass. March and April are ideal times to control moles because this is…Read more about Control Them Now[Read More]
Mole activity is becoming more apparent with the recent warm weather. Large piles of soil on the lawn surface are evidence of the moles subterranean mining. Unfortunately control of this pest still depends on trapping or possibly a mole-hunting cat or dog. Techniques such as drowning with water, poisoning with car exhaust, shocking or vibrating…Read more about Mid-winter Mole Activity[Read More]
A special thanks goes to the exhibitors who donated raffle prizes for the Turf Expo. Following are the winners of each prize. Exhibitor Prize Winner Aerification Plus Pair of Pacers tickets Feb.16 vs Portland Trailblazers Steve Stringer Aerification Plus Pair of Pacers tickets Mar 31 vs Miami Heat Dave Padgett Ameri-Turf 2-50# bags RTF Tall…Read more about Raffle Winners at Turf Expo[Read More]
On behalf of the Turf Program and the Midwest Regional Turf Foundation (MRTF), I’d like to thank everyone who helped with and/or attended the 2005 Midwest Turf Expo on January 18-19 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis . The Expo provides tremendous positive exposure for the Turf Program and the MRTF, and it could…Read more about Thanks for Attending or Helping with Another Successful Midwest Turf Expo[Read More]
The IN-IL Turfgrass Short Course will be held on Feb 21-24 in Willowbrook, IL, again this year. 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 we do the…Read more about There are still openings for the IN-IL Turfgrass Short Course[Read More]
For those making the trip to Orlando for the GCSAA International Conference and Show, the Purdue Alumni and Friends Reception will be held Thursday, February 10, 6:00 to 8:00 pm in Salon 2 of the Rosen Centre Hotel. It’s a great opportunity to catch up with your classmates and old friends. An autographed Purdue football…Read more about Purdue Alumni and Friends Reception at the GCSAA in Orlando[Read More]
After widespread flooding, many question how well turf will survive. Turf injury from flooding depends on water temperature, species, duration of submergence, and depth of submergence. Turfgrasses can withstand submersion for up to 60 days when water temperatures are 50 degrees or less. Injury is increased under stagnant water compared to moving water, and injury…Read more about Dealing With Flood Damage[Read More]
The IN-IL Turfgrass Short Course will be held on Feb 21-24 in Willowbrook, IL, again this year. 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 we do the…Read more about IN-IL Turfgrass Short Course in February[Read More]
For those of you still looking for reservations for the Turf Expo, the Westin has extended their cut-off date until Jan. 1. The Westin can be reached at 317-262-8100, and be sure to mention the MRTF to get the reduced $119/night price. The room block reserved for the MRTF is almost sold out (especially on…Read more about Westin Reservation Date Extended to January 1st![Read More]
