Tag: Homeowner

Hot Topics at a Hot Field Day!

Thanks to all the 530 attendees and 32 exhibitors who attended the Midwest Regional Turfgrass Field Day Tuesday (July 19, 2011) at the W.H. Daniel Turfgrass Research Center in W. Lafayette, IN. We had golf and lawn research tours in...

Annual bluegrass starting to succumb to summer stress in lawns

Annual bluegrass (Poa annua) is a common weed on golf courses, but is now also becoming a problem on higher mowed turf areas such as lawns and athletic fields. This grass is lighter colored than Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass...

Herbicide damage on Spruce and Pine – Update

A few weeks ago we posted information on herbicide damage to spruce and pine (link here). We are continuing to see some new cases of damage, but many with affected trees are simply waiting to see whether or not their...

Herbicide damage on Spruce and Pine

The Plant and Pest Diagnostic Lab (PPDL) has recently received several samples of Norway spruce and white pine with symptoms that appear to be associated with injury caused by synthetic auxin (growth regulator type) herbicides. Typical off-target symptoms caused by...

Drought Damage on Zoysiagrass Lawns

Last summer and fall we experienced some widespread drought throughout the state which we documented with turf tips in July, September, and November as well as tips on reestablishment this March (click here for an archive of these tips). Most...

Keep the Trailer Connected to the Truck: Understanding the ‘Hitch’ System

This publication identifies the critical factors that keep trailers properly attached to trucks. Its goal is to help you understand how those factors work together and reduce your chances of losing a trailer on a busy highway.

(PPP-92)

PDF

PDF version of Keep the Trailer Connected to the Truck: Understanding the ‘Hitch’ System

Small Moving Specks on the Windowsill?

No you are not imagining this. The specks are actually moving. That is because they are actually tiny mites called clover mites. Clover mites can become annoying household pests, especially in and around homes where new lawns have recently been...

Skunks and Raccoons causing Havoc?

We continue to receive reports of spring-time turfgrass damage caused by raccoons or skunks. These animals are not feeding on the grass but rather are foraging for below ground, high populations of white grubs. As the vertebrates forage, they turn...

Cooler Than Average Spring Temperatures for Some May Extend the Window for Preemergence Herbicide Applications

Preemergence herbicides prevent emergence of crabgrass plants. These products must be applied prior to crabgrass germination which on an average year could occur as early as April 1 in southern Indiana and three or more weeks later in northern Indiana....

Spring Beauty and Star-of-Bethlehem

Both spring beauty (Claytonia virginica) and star-of-bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum) are spring flowering weeds that are similar in appearance and sometimes problematic in lawns. Below is a comparison of the two species including control recommendations for both turf professionals and homeowners....

To whom does this seedhead belong?

Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) is beginning to produce seedheads this time of year which are difficult to mow and can cause a lawn to appear uneven. However, there are other grasses such as annual bluegrass (Poa annua) that also produce...

Spilled Fertilizer: Loading and Application

Fertilizer loading Fill spreaders over a hard surface such as a driveway, sidewalk, or other hard concrete or asphalt surface. This will allow easy clean-up if any material is spilled. Fertilizer spills over turf usually result in turf death to...

What’s that brown spot: Nimblewill in lawns

Nimblewill (Muhlenbergia schreberi) is a weed that thin patches in lawns. Since nimblewill is a warm-season grass, it will turn brown at the first frost and is very slow to green-up in the spring. The brown patches seen in lawns...

Part III: Controlling broadleaf weeds in newly seeded areas

This turf tip is part of a three part series on spring seeding. Most turfgrass herbicides are intended for use on established grasses. Thus, herbicide use on newly planted grasses should be very conservative. If possible, wait until the grass...

Rejuvenating Turf in 2011: Part II

Part II: Preemergence and postemergence herbicides for crabgrass control in newly seeded areas This turf tip is part of a three part series on spring seeding. Early spring preemergence herbicides are often necessary in Indiana to prevent troublesome annual grassy...

New GDDTracker site is live!

The GDDTracker Team (Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio) is proud to launch the latest version of our turf pest tracking web site (http://www.gddtracker.net/). We have been very hard at work to bring you an even better product in 2011. You...

Rejuvenating Turf in 2011: Part I

Part I: Spring seeding options (This turf tip is part of a three part series on spring seeding.) Seeding in spring is difficult and often unsuccessful. However, there are circumstances that warrant a spring seeding: Thin turf due to winter...

Farm Truck Accidents: Considering Your Liability Management Options

This publication discusses a number of measures you can take to reduce your over-the-road liabilities that may result from accidents involving trucks, tractors, and agricultural implements.

(PPP-91)

PDF

PDF version of Farm Truck Accidents: Considering Your Liability Management Options

Pesticides and Formulation Technology

This publication explains the benefits and problems associated with the various pesticide formulations. It also can be used to construct a planning or decision-making model for the proper selection of a formulation in a pest control process involving pesticides.

(PPP-31)

PDF

PDF version of Pesticides and Formulation Technology

Top Ten Turf Tips of 2010

Top Ten Turf Tips of 2010 Part II: Summer diseases in Residential Turf Part III: Summer weeds: Common summer weeds and their control Part I: Too hot: Why some turfgrass species look poor in summer Color Variation in Residential and...