Turf Tips Archives
Weather warms up at week’s end for the Indiana Green Expo (January 8-10, 2014)
January 8-10, 2014 Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, IN While the weather outside is frightful today (Monday, January 6 2014) and tomorrow (Tuesday, January 7 2014) it does look to improve considerably by week’s end with highs near 40 degrees for the Indiana Green Expo (January 8-10, 2014). Don’t miss out on Indiana’s largest turf and landscape […]
2014 Turf Weed Control for Professionals, Now Available
The revised edition of Turfgrass Weed Control for Professionals is now available. The 96 page publication includes content on: Turfgrass Culture Weed Types Weed Life Cycles Developing a Weed Control Program Indicator Weeds Herbicide Information (use, nomenclature, classification, mode of action, movement, resistance, etc.) Control of Tough Weeds Frequently Asked Questions and Answers About […]
Indiana Green Expo 2014
January 8-10, 2014 Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, IN Education schedule, workshop descriptions, speaker highlights, exhibitors and trade show events found at www.indianagreenexpo.com or click here for IGE 2014 Brochure. Speakers We are excited to bring in a great group of speakers in the turf sessions this year. Highlighted speakers include: Eric Baumeister, […]
How Late is Too Late to Control Broadleaf Weeds?
Many are asking is how late in the year can I apply a broadleaf herbicide to control dandelions, white clover, ground ivy and other broadleaf weeds. Generally, the best answer is that broadleaf herbicides can be applied in Indiana until mid-November and still provide effective control. This timing is +/- 2 weeks depending upon your […]
What To Do With All Those Falling Leaves?
It is that time of year when leaves are falling faster than you can rake them in many places. It is important to rake leaves when there are many leaves on the ground (so many that you can’t see the turf underneath) so that heavy layers of leaves will not shade out, smother, and kill […]
Jennifer Biehl Moves to New Position
After 10 years working in the Turf Program at Purdue, Jennifer Biehl is taking a new position. She will start her new position as Assistant Director of the Global Supply Chain Management Masters Program in Purdue Krannert School of Management the week of September 16. If you have any questions, comments or concerns for the […]
New Insecticide Labels to Increase Focus on Pollinator Protection
As part of an ongoing effort to raise consciousness about the potential threat to pollinators posed by neonicotinoid insecticides, the USEPA recently unveiled new pesticide labeling criteria.The new labels will contain a bee advisory box and icon with information on routes of exposure and spray drift precautions. http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/C186766DF22B37D485257BC8005B0E64 The recent announcement focuses on products […]
Common Bermudagrass
Common Bermudagrass Biology: Common bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) is the most commonly used turfgrass in the southern United States, but it is also a difficult-to-control weed in northern turf. Bermudagrass is a drought tolerant, warm-season, perennial grass species that tolerates low mowing and actively spreads vegetatively by both rhizomes and stolons […]
2013 Imprelis Update: Tree Maintenance, Replacement, and Disposal
This article provides a 2013 update of this issue and what we hope will be the last and final update on Imprelis. This update addresses some of the frequently asked questions about Imprelis® in 2013. 2013 Imprelis® Update: Tree Maintenance, Replacement, and Disposal (PDF) (08/13) For a complete review of the facts and a more […]
New Publication: Calibrating Ride-on Sprayers and Spreaders
The use of ride-on sprayer/spreaders by lawn care operators (LCOs) and the sports turf industry has increased dramatically since they were introduced in the 1980s. Ride-on equipment offers a number of competitive advantages over walk-behind spreaders and the hand-gun/hose-reel type of application. This publication addresses specific procedures for separately calibrating the pesticide sprayer and the […]
Rust Disease – 2013
The 2013 rust disease outbreak seems to have arrived a little earlier than usual. My thoughts about the current rust epidemic are intended for lawn care professionals, who must address reasonable questions from their clients. Most professionals are very familiar with the basics of rust disease. To briefly review from the 2013 perspective–the ample precipitation […]
White Grub Season Approaching: Remember to Follow Label Directions
Last month, a commercial landscape manager in Oregon made an off label application of dinotefuran to flowering linden trees resulting in the death of more than 25,000 bumblebees and immediate action by the Oregon Department of Agriculture to implement a six month ban on all dinotefuran products labeled for landscape use http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/docs/pdf/news/130627dinotefuran.pdf The labels […]
Goosegrass
Goosegrass Biology: Goosegrass (Eleusine indica) is an late-germinating summer annual grass that is often found in compacted areas or areas disturbed in the summer. These areas include compacted areas next to sidewalks or cart paths, golf course tees, and areas were soil is disturbed during the summer. Germination typically starts […]
2013 Turf and Landscape Field Day a Success
On Tuesday, July 9th, 2013 the Purdue Turf Program and the Midwest Regional Turf Foundation hosted the Turf and Landscape Field Day. The Turf and Landscape Field Day is Indiana’s largest green industry field day. It was a much cooler day than last year and we were thankful that the rain stayed away and the […]
Fountain Grass
Fountain Grass Biology: Fountain grass ((Pennisetum spp.) is an ornamental grass common to the landscapes of homes, commercial sites, and golf courses. However, following years of planting in these landscapes, we now realize that this species produces many viable seeds that drop onto the adjacent turf and then become tough-to-control perennial grassy weeds. […]
2013 Indiana Pesticide Clean Sweep Project
WHAT: An Indiana Pesticide Clean Sweep Project designed to collect and dispose of suspended, canceled, banned, unusable, opened, unopened or just unwanted pesticides (weed killers, insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, miticides, etc.) is being sponsored by the Office of Indiana State Chemist (OISC). This disposal service is free of charge up to 250 pounds per participant. […]
Turf and Landscape Field Day: July 9, 2013
Purdue Turf & Landscape Field Day Tuesday, July 9, 2013 W.H. Daniel Turf Center, West Lafayette PREREGISTRATION DEADLINE: Friday, June 28 Register on-line, US mail, fax or call. Registration Form (PDF format) Exhibitor Contract (PDF format) Register on-line at http://mrtf.org/php/Registration.php?pid=5761 Free Attendance for one person with new MRTF membership Up […]
Seed corn beetle being reported by superintendents
In addition to earthworms, there are several insects that can create small mounds of soil above the surface of turfgrass. Occasionally, the mounds can become a nuisance, especially on closely mowed greens where they are more noticeable and may interfere with play. The photos below depict one such insect, the seed corn beetle, and the […]
Yellow Nutsedge: Two New Publications on Controlling this Troublesome Weed
Yellow nutsedge is a troublesome, difficult-to-control turf weed. Understanding this plant’s biology makes it easier to know how to best control it. Two new Purdue publications help answer questions on the best way to control this weed. Yellow Nutsedge Control (AY-19-W) | PDF (for homeowners) Sedge Control for Turf Professionals (AY-338-W) | PDF (turf professionals) […]
Perennial ryegrass seedheads: Now and Later
Perennial ryegrass seedheads are in full production now. These seedheads are tough to cut so make sure to keep your mower blades sharp. Now is a good time to sharpen your mower blades if you haven’t yet this year. Close-up of a perennial ryegrass seedhead. Perennial ryegrass seedhead in a lawn. Perennial ryegrass seedheads don’t […]