Turf Professional

Calibrating the Hose Reel Lawn Care Sprayer (PPP-85)

Purdue Extension Publication

Applying the right amount of product means fewer callbacks, more satisfied customers, and greater profits. Properly calibrating and using the hose reel lawn care sprayer means achieving a lawn that meets your customer’s expectations.

Calculating the pounds of fertilizer to apply

There are literally thousands of fertilizers and fertilizer/pesticide combinations available to homeowners and professionals. Therefore, we can’t recommend how many pounds of a specific fertilizer to apply, but rather we must recommend fertilization rates in pounds of nitrogen per thousand square feet or lbs N/1000ft2. You can use our fertilizer calculator at http://www.agry.purdue.edu/turf/fertcalc/Fertilization%20calc.html or you can use…Read more about Calculating the pounds of fertilizer to apply[Read More]

Professionals Only: Premergence herbicide strategies

As spring is closing in, we are fielding a number of questions four major questions right now: Which preemergence herbide to use? That one is pretty easy. We have only three active ingredients relatively easily available and they are dithiopyr, pendimethalin, and prodiamine. Our research shows that as long as they are applied at reasonable…Read more about Professionals Only: Premergence herbicide strategies[Read More]

Choosing a Preemergence Herbicide

There are many, many formulations and combinations of preemergence herbicides available for the professional. Following are some suggestions for purchasing and using preemergence herbicides. Control from every preemergence herbicide can vary from year to year, or location to location. Therefore, you can’t judge the performance of a product or a specific rate of that product…Read more about Choosing a Preemergence Herbicide[Read More]

What’s it really cost to maintain an athletic field?

Whether you are maintaining a professional, university field or a local soccer field because your daughter is on the team, it is difficult to get an accurate estimate of the costs to maintain an athletic field. From my experience, we tend to dramatically underestimate the actual cost of maintaining athletic turf. Tom Samples and his…Read more about What’s it really cost to maintain an athletic field?[Read More]

Purdue Alumni and Friends Reception at the GCSAA in San Diego

For those making the trip to San Diego for the Golf Industry Show, the Purdue Alumni and Friends Reception will be held Wednesday, February 10, 6:00 to 8:00 pm in the Topaz room of the San Diego Westin, 400 West Broadway. It’s a great opportunity to catch up with your classmates and old friends. Please…Read more about Purdue Alumni and Friends Reception at the GCSAA in San Diego[Read More]

Recent cold temperatures should have little effect on winter survival of Bermuda, zoysiagrass, or cool-season turfgrasses.

The recent cold snap has raised a number of questions about survival of warm-season turfgrasses, especially given the relatively recent popularity of bermudagrass for fairways and athletic fields. Though winterkill is highly variable, all turfgrasses are most susceptible to cold temperatures very early and very late in the winter and thus we wouldn’t expect much…Read more about Recent cold temperatures should have little effect on winter survival of Bermuda, zoysiagrass, or cool-season turfgrasses.[Read More]

Thanks to all who attended the Indiana Green Expo

On behalf of the Turf Program, Midwest Regional Turf Foundation (MRTF), Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association (INLA), and Indiana Flower Growers Association (IFGA), thanks to everyone who helped with and/or attended the 2010 Indiana Green Expo on January 6-8 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. This marks the fourth year of cooperation between the…Read more about Thanks to all who attended the Indiana Green Expo[Read More]

Early-Bird deadline extended to midnight on Monday 12/21 for pre-registration to the Indiana Green Expo.

Time’s running out to register for the Indiana Green Expo to be held January 6-9 in Indianapolis. Though attendee registration is running slightly ahead of last year, we’re still extending the web registration and postmark deadline for reduced registration fees until Monday Dec. 21 at 11:59 pm. Highlights of the Expo include: 65 speakers from…Read more about Early-Bird deadline extended to midnight on Monday 12/21 for pre-registration to the Indiana Green Expo.[Read More]

Impact of Water Quality on Pesticide Performance (PPP-86)

Purdue Extension Publication

The quality of the water used to spray the product is one factor that doesn’t get much attention for effective pesticide applications . Research clearly shows that the quality of water used for spraying can affect how pesticides perform. This publication describes how to test your water quality for better performance of your pesticides.

Invitation to the Indiana Green Expo from Gary Shetler, MRTF President

This is a special invitation to all the Turf Industry to attend the Indiana Green Expo on January 6-9 in Indianapolis. If you have never attended or haven’t attended in a while, consider attending this year in spite of the economy. The educational program is consistently one of the best nationally and is incredibly diverse…Read more about Invitation to the Indiana Green Expo from Gary Shetler, MRTF President[Read More]

Register for the Indiana Green Expo

Get your registration in for the Indiana Green Expo held Janauary 7-8, 2009 at the Indiana Convention Center in Downtown Indianapolis. The early-bird registration deadline is fast-approaching and forms must be postmarked by Dec. 18, 2009. The Indiana Green Expo is the largest turf, ornamental, nursery, and landscape conference in Indiana and is jointly sponsored…Read more about Register for the Indiana Green Expo[Read More]

Open Position on the MRTF Board of Directors

There is one opening on the MRTF Board of Directors in the upcoming December elections. MRTF’s mission is to support research and education and thus help advance our industry. We are looking for a potential board member dedicated to our industry and desiring to help steer the direction of turfgrass research and education. The commitment…Read more about Open Position on the MRTF Board of Directors[Read More]

Upcoming Education: Basic Training Turfgrass Management

This one-day workshop is perfect for new-comers to the industry as well as more experienced professionals who want a refresher course on turf management. This is a perfect training opportunity for you or your staff from lawn care operators, sports, golf course, or anywhere turf is managed professionally. Turfgrass growth, cultural practices, and fertilization will…Read more about Upcoming Education: Basic Training Turfgrass Management[Read More]

A Few Opening Still Available for the Turf and Ornamental Seminar on November 9-10.

The Turf and Ornamental Seminar will be held on Monday November 9 and Tuesday November 10 at the Daniel Center at Purdue. This course is an advanced class for lawn care, golf course, sports turf, and sales staff. Enrollment is definitely limited to 70 attendees to optimize individual attention and allow plenty of time for…Read more about A Few Opening Still Available for the Turf and Ornamental Seminar on November 9-10.[Read More]

Regenerating Fall Use Athletic Fields

The end is near for Fall-use athletic fields, either literally or figuratively. With the recent wet weather, football and soccer fields have taken a beating. Don’t give up on these fields yet, because after the last game or practice is when you should work hardest to improve the field. Aggressive hollow-tine aerification, pulling 20 –…Read more about Regenerating Fall Use Athletic Fields[Read More]

Poly Tanks for Farm Businesses Preventing Catastrophic Failures (PPP-77)

Purdue Extension Publication

High-density polyethylene tanks have been used successfully by growers and commercial pesticide application businesses for years. While the benefits of poly tank ownership are well established, the risk of tank failure is real. Like any piece of equipment, poly tanks need to be inspected and maintained to ensure that the benefits of use outweigh the risk of tank failure and product release.

Openings still available for MRTF Golf Day on September 30

Openings are still available for the MRTF Golf Day at The Fort Golf Resort in Indianapolis on September 30. We also have the opportunity for you or your company to sponsor a tee sign. More information on sponsorship and a PDF registration form can be found at www.agry.purdue.edu/turf/events/golfday.html or register on-line at http://mrtf.org/php/education.php#Golf. If you have any questions…Read more about Openings still available for MRTF Golf Day on September 30[Read More]

Professionals Only: Dry weather hampers broadleaf weed control, fertilization

Though we are now in the window for maximum broadleaf weed control and fall fertilization, the dry weather throughout most of the state is hampering applications. Avoid herbicide and/or fertilizer application to drought stressed or dormant turf to limit turf damage and maximize intended effect of the application. On turf that’s still green (like in…Read more about Professionals Only: Dry weather hampers broadleaf weed control, fertilization[Read More]

Pesticides and Personal Protective Equipment (PPP-38)

Purdue Extension Publication

Decisions about personal protective equipment (PPE) are challenging for pesticide users on farms and in gardens, pest control businesses, and greenhouses. This publication discusses the links between safety, attitude, and organizational philosophy; explains why PPE is necessary; offers general guidance on selecting PPE; and provides suggestions for care of PPE.