Tag: Homeowner

As bermudagrass begins to green up in southern IN and Kentucky , it is apparent that moderate to severe winter damage has occurred. Though we may be a little premature because full green-up and growth is still a week or...

With the mild drought stress over the last week, lawns are extremely susceptible to cosmetic damage from mowers, spreaders, and human traffic (photos). Drought stress may not have been easily visible before mowing. Turf likely was at the drought stressed...

The annual phase of rapid cool-season shoot growth of cool-season grasses is nearly complete, though it was diminished this year because of the dry and cool weather. It's now time to consider fertilizing your lawn because fertilizer now will not...

With the bizarre weather this spring, growth patterns of our cool-season grasses are inconsistent across the state. Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, and perennial ryegrass are either producing or soon will be producing seedheads. This natural phenomenon is induced primarily by...

We have received a number of calls, email, and electronic photos inquiring about brown patches to entire lawns turning brown apparently overnight (see photos). Following are the three most likely culprits: •  Seedheads – Especially on perennial ryegrass lawns, seed...

There are many different sand topdressing programs used by superintendents. Budgets, experience, labor and equipment availability, and play schedule are just some of the factors affecting topdressing programs. Our research hopes to provide answers to many of the common topdressing...

Crabgrass is starting to germinate throughout much of the state and thus preemergence herbicides will be of limited effectiveness. Though some will report burn-back of very small crabgrass with a strictly preemergence application, combining a preemergence with a postemergence herbicide...

Noticing yellow to white patches in areas that were freshly mowed just prior to last week's cold? Judging from what I've seen as well as the emails, you're not alone. Taking a closer look at these areas, the leaf tips...

The winter annual downy brome is growing aggressively in turf stands currently, almost twice as fast as the desired Kentucky bluegrass or tall fescue (photo). Downey brome is fairly easily identified at this time of the year by its hairy...

The summary of our turfgrass research in the year 2006 is now available at http://www.agry.purdue.edu/turf/report/2006/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...

The recent cold snap should have little long term effect on the turf portion of the landscape. Our cool-season grasses are more than capable of withstanding weather like this, though newly emerged seedlings may suffer some damage from the cold...

Wild onion and wild garlic are now fully emerged throughout the state of Indiana and these are two of the more difficult to control weeds. Like the garden varieties, these plants are edible and similar looking, except the stems of...

We have received a number of calls this year about trying to control the crabgrass running rampant in lawns. It's a much more coarse bladed and lighter green than the rest of the grass, so it must be crabgrass? It's...

    Star of Bethlehem and Spring Beauty are currently emerging and flowering in shaded areas in southern and central Indiana . Both plants have pretty white flowers with the Star of Bethlehem having six petals while Spring Beauty has...

It was just a matter of time. While invasive species such as the emerald ash borer have been garnering so much attention in the press, the Turfgrass Entomology and Applied Ecology Laboratory at Purdue University has been tracking the spread...

Late summer (August) is easily the best time to seed cool-season grasses, but sometimes turf must be seeded in the spring. The following points should help improve the success of spring seeding: 1. Seed as soon as possible (now is...

With the above average temperatures over the last few weeks, many questions have arisen again about when to apply the preemergence herbicide for crabgrass. As mentioned in the February 20 edition of Turf Tips, it is much better to apply...

Prostrate knotweed is currently germinating in thin areas next to sidewalks, cart paths, driveways and other hotspots. Knotweed is often confused with crabgrass at this early stage. Knotweed leaves have rounded leaf tips whereas crabgrass has leaf tips that come...

During late March and April we get many calls about voles and vole damage in turfgrass. Voles are among the most important vertebrate pests in turf areas. Unfortunately the name ‘vole' is very close to the name ‘mole' causing some...

Now's the time to get the mower out of the shed and start mowing (depending on where you live in the state). This normally happens well before most of us start mowing because we see mostly brown leaf blades and...