Seeding in spring is difficult and unsuccessful if not done correctly. However, there are many in Indiana who didn’t seed last fall but still need to seed this spring to help fill in thin areas from last summer’s drought. The following circumstances that warrant a spring seeding: Thin turf due to winter damage Poor turf…Read more about Still Time for Spring Seeding[Read More]
We are finally through a cold March and into what appears to be a normal April. The graph below compares January, February, and March in 2012 and 2013 to our 30 year normal weather averages for those months. The temperature outlook for the next three months has us with slightly above average…Read more about A Tale of Two Years[Read More]
Nobody needs to be reminded that March 2013 has been colder than the last several years. The good thing is that wintry conditions prevent wasted fungicide applications. Keep watching the summer patch soil temperature monitor. Remember that there are several elements to the decision rule. The cardinal temperature seems to be around 65F—in soil at…Read more about Weather and Turf Disease –Early Spring 2013[Read More]
Large Crabgrass Biology: Large crabgrass ( Digitaria sanguinalis ), smooth crabgrass (Digitaria ischaemum), and to a lesser extent southern crabgrass (Digitaria ciliaris) are all species found in the Midwest that are collectively referred to as crabgrass. Large crabgrass is probably the most common of these in Indiana lawns. Combined, these crabgrass species are…Read more about Large Crabgrass[Read More]
Early Season Dollar Spot Sprays The pathogen must be active in order for the mycelium to absorb a fungicide. We know that Sclerotinia homoeocarpa grows when temperatures remain above 55F in the presence of ample moisture. If such conditions prevail in March (as they did in 2012), then early season sprays may help reduce dollar…Read more about Turf Notes: Disease and Fungicide Update[Read More]
A year ago we had record high temperatures and we were scrambling to apply preemergence herbicides for crabgrass control. On March 22 last year, I had crabgrass germinating in my garden! However, this year I can tell you that crabgrass is a long ways off from germinating today. The chart below shows the dramatic difference…Read more about A Much Different Start to the Year[Read More]
Monitoring growing degree days can be an effective way to better time applications and increase your weed control. A helpful website (www.gddtracker.net) is available to help you monitor growing degree days for timing herbicide and plant growth regulator applications. What can this website help me with? Need help determining when to apply your preemergence herbicide?…Read more about Use Growing Degree Days to Better Time Your Applications[Read More]
This post kicks off a new series that we will be posting via turf tips called, “Weed of the Month”. In each post we’ll discuss a timely weed (one that you’re seeing at that particular time of year) and we will highlight its biology, identification, and control. February’s weed of the month is…Read more about Prostrate Knotweed[Read More]
Calling all cool-season putting green managers!!! Real-world feedback needed…. We are following up on an article we published in Golf Course Management Magazine last fall titled “An economic comparison of creeping bentgrass and annual bluegrass maintenance practices”. We are seeking some “real-world” feedback regarding current grass species, grass species preferences and common maintenance practices….Read more about Survey – cool-season putting greens[Read More]
The weather looks great this week for a winter conference. Since it doesn’t look like there will be any snow to push or shovel, we invite you to come to the Indiana Green Expo. Don’t miss Indiana’s most comprehensive green industry conference and trade show! January 9-11, 2013 • Indiana Convention Center *** Registration available…Read more about Weather Looks Good For Indiana Green Expo, Don’t Miss It![Read More]
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…Read more about 2013 Turf Weed Control for Professionals, Now Available[Read More]
After two years of development, we have released a new smart phone app that will help you diagnose and find recommendations to manage over 175 tree problems on over 60 kinds of trees. We call it the Purdue Tree Doctor. It will be like having our entire library of photos and recommendations in your pocket…Read more about Tree Problems? We Have an App for That![Read More]
As we remember back on 2012, the drought and the early spring warm-up were two of the biggest topics of the year and drew the most visits to our blog. Here were the top 6 posts of 2012. 1 My Lawn is Brown and Crunchy… Is it Dead? What do … Jun 26, 2012 2…Read more about Remembering 2012: Top Posts on the Blog[Read More]
I thought I would share these new publications from our colleagues on campus in Forestry and Natural Resources. FNR-FAQ-11 Why Is My Tree Dying? https://mdc.itap.purdue.edu/item.asp?item_number=FNR-FAQ-11-W This publication explains how trees can be injured and die from damage suffered during construction projects. FNR-473-W Tree Appraisal https://mdc.itap.purdue.edu/item.asp?item_number=FNR-473-W This publication provides an explanation of the tree appraisal process,…Read more about Newly added Forestry and Natural Resources/Extension Publications[Read More]
Indiana Green Expo – January 9 – 11, 2013 On-line Registration now available! Register by December 21 and save (Rates after December 21 will increase: members: $130 | nonmembers: $170) View full PDF brochure and other Expo details at www.IndianaGreenExpo.com Wednesday, January 9, 2013 9:00 – 12:00 Workshop A: Hardscapes 101 9:00 –…Read more about Indiana Green Expo: January 9-11, 2013[Read More]
Join us at one of our three great workshops that are being held in December! Turf Herbicide Workshop – registration deadline: Wednesday, November 28, 2012 (CCH’s requested: 7 – category 3a, 7 – category 3b, 7 – category 6, 4 – RT license) December 4, 2012: Caribbean Cove Conference Center, Indianapolis, Indiana 3850 DePauw Boulevard …Read more about Turf Herbicide Workshops – Space Still Avaiable[Read More]
Turf and Ornamental Seminar November 14-15, 2012 Daniel Turf Center West Lafayette, Indiana Registration Form (PDF Format) Register on-line at http://mrtf.org/php/Registration.php?pid=5487 Registration Deadline: November 2, 2012 CCH’s: Cat. 2 – 5 CCH’s; Cat. 3a – 8 CCH’s; Cat. 3b – 9 CCH’s; Cat. 6 – 3 CCH’s; RT – 4 CCH’s …Read more about MRTF Turf and Ornamental Seminar – November 14-15[Read More]
This photo was submitted from a golf course where it was found tunneling into a green. It is obvious that it is creating some damage but the astute manager was able to find and photograph the beetle in association with the damage. This combination always makes identification and control recommendations much easier. The insect was…Read more about When a GPS Unit Malfunctions[Read More]
Join us for the MRTF Golf Day Monday, October 1, 2012 Highland Golf and Country Club, Indianapolis, IN Registration Deadline: 9/24/2012Registration Form (PDF format) Register on-line for your team at https://www.mrtf.org/php/Registration.php?pid=5489 Continue to shop and add the game package https://www.mrtf.org/php/Registration.php?pid=5542 If you have any questions/comments/concerns please contact Jennifer Biehl at biehlj@purdue.edu or 765-494-8039 Agenda: 11:00…Read more about MRTF Golf Day at Highland Country Club in Indianapolis[Read More]
9/17/2012 http://www.gcsaa.org/_common/templates/EIFGNewsReleaseLayout.aspx?id=6078&LangType=1033 Turfgrass students Konow, Law and Huttie selected GCSAA awards scholarships to essay contest winners Christopher Konow, Quincy Law, and Nicholas Huttie are winners of the 2012 Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Student Essay Contest. Open to GCSAA members who are undergraduate or graduate students pursuing degrees in turfgrass science, agronomy or…Read more about GCSAA awards scholarships to essay contest winners[Read More]
