Black Cutworms have started showing up in light traps around Indiana. This means they will soon laying eggs, if they haven’t already. Superintendents should be on the lookout for evidence of feeding damage on greens and tees. Also, remember that a soap flush of vulnerable, short-cut areas will often reveal the presence of black cutworms…Read more about Black Cutworms Making Their Annual Migration North[Read More]
I have had several emails and weed samples submitted recently of an unknown grass. In each case, the sample was annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum). Annual ryegrass is a common ingredient in low quality seed mixtures. It appears in the spring time in lawns seeded the previous year either from some annual ryegrass in the seed…Read more about Annual Ryegrass Showing Up in Lawns[Read More]
Tips for Mowing Wet Turf Sharpen your blades if you have not yet this spring. Mow in the afternoon when the leaf blades are dry if possible to reduce clumping of the grass blades. However, it is fine to mow wet turf or mow during light rain. Set the mower higher (especially if your grass…Read more about How to Mow Now That it has Stopped Raining[Read More]
Despite proper cultural practices, crabgrass may still remain problematic in certain turf areas. The best approach to controlling crabgrass is to use a preemergence herbicide such as dithiopyr (Dimension), pendimethalin (Pendulum), prodiamine (Barricade), prodiamine + quinclorac (Cavalcade PQ), sulfentrazone + prodiamine (Echelon), and others. These herbicides inhibit cell division and prevent crabgrass seeds from properly…Read more about When Should I Apply My Preemergence Herbicide for Crabgrass Control?[Read More]
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]
