Tag: Homeowner

Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, and perennial ryegrass are now producing seedheads. This natural phenomenon is induced by daylength and occurs every spring. Seedheads detract from the appearance of a turf because they grow quickly and unevenly and the tough seed...

Red thread and its close relative pink patch, are now appearing on home lawns (and golf course roughs) in the central and southern parts of Indiana. Red thread first appears as small (quarter to golf ball size) gray – tan...

Each spring we receive many calls about grubs as people find them while planting gardens or ornamental beds. These are often large and appear menacing however do not let their appearance cause you to worry, panic or run out to...

After nearly a week of steady rain in West Lafayette and across the region, work was finally able to continue on the Ross-Ade stadium and South football practice field renovations. The existing Kentucky bluegrass/perennial ryegrass turf in Ross-Ade was removed...

With the rainy weather lately, it is inevitable that you will have to mow when it is wet. Though we much prefer to mow when the grass is dry, it is better to mow when wet rather than waiting until...

Recent storms have generated the weather patterns that bring black cutworm moths into our state each year. Pheromone traps picked up the first black cutworm moths of the season during the past two weeks. Predictive models estimate that the first...

The annual bloom of dandelions is already here in southern and central Indiana. This marks the beginning of the second most effective period for controlling broadleaf weeds. The optimum time to control dandelions and other broadleaf weeds is in the...

We have received a ton of calls in the last week about improving shaded lawns. Following is a summary about shaded lawns:  Turf does not perform well in the shade  “Shade-adapted“ grass species and cultivars will always perform...

If a preemergence herbicide is justified on your lawn to control crabgrass now, most of those are available combined with fertilizer and you are forced to apply a fertilizer now. Look for a product with low nitrogen and be sure...

What is CoCoRaHS? CoCoRaHS, the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow network, is a unique, non-profit, community-based, high density network of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds, who take daily measurements of rain and snow in their yards, athletic fields,...

The Midwest Turf Expo will be held on January 17-19, 2006 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. An outstanding educational schedule compliments a rapidly filling tradeshow held in conjunction with the Indiana Park and Recreation Association. A GCSAA Seminar...

A November application of fertilizer is extremely important to keep your lawn healthy and looking good this fall and next year. Late fall N promotes good root development, enhances storage of energy reserves, and extends color retention this fall. Most...

Those dandelions, clover, and other broadleaf weeds that were a problem all summer should be controlled this fall. The period from late September through October is the ideal time to control broadleaf weeds in turfgrass because broadleaf weeds are most...

Currently advertised on television and in home improvement stores are “winterizer” fertilizers. There’s good and bad about winterizer fertilizers. It’s good that they are emphasizing fall and late fall fertilizer. These fertilizers usually contain the same amount of potassium as...

The trees are dropping their leaves and it is important to prevent a heavy layer of leaves from building-up on your turf before winter. Heavy layers of tree leaves that shade the grass can smother and kill grass yet this...

Nitrogen stimulates increased photosynthesis and the extra energy derived from this goes directly into growth, respiration to maintain the plant (similar to humans), or into storage. In early November, the temperature is still adequate for photosynthesis, but cool enough to...

Late September through October is the best time to control weeds like dandelion, clover, and chickweed with an application of a broadleaf weed herbicide. Broadleaf weed herbicides are systemic and move through the plant in the phloem, which also transports...

For anyone who watched major college football in the Midwest this fall, you’ve noticed that the fields are tearing up with divots and blow outs. Some major universities have even resodded their fields after the opening few games in hopes...

At this weekend’s Homecoming activities, Randy Brehmer will receive the Agronomic Award of Distinction from Purdue’s Department of Agronomy. This award is reserved for those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help the Department of...

We are out of the optimum window for seeding turfgrasses in Indiana. However, many are still hoping to seed. Following is a summary of our studies in the early 90’s on seeding at less than optimum times of the year....