Turf Professional
Purdue Alumni and Friends Reception at the GCSAA in Orlando
For those making the trip to Orlando for the GCSAA International Conference and Show, the Purdue Alumni and Friends Reception will be held Thursday, January 31 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in Salon 4 of the Rosen Centre Hotel. It’s a great opportunity to catch up with your classmates and old friends. Please plan on […]
There are still openings for the IN-IL Turfgrass Short Courses
The IN-IL Turfgrass Short Course will be held in Lebanon, IN, on Feb. 11-14 and Willowbrook, IL, on Feb. 25-28. This is an outstanding course for new and experienced turf professionals. It’s designed for turf managers with some experience and an understanding of HOW we maintain turf, and meant to improve the understanding of WHY […]
Thanks to Everyone who Attended Indiana Green Expo
On behalf of the Turf Program, Midwest Regional Turf Foundation (MRTF), Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association (INLA), and Indiana Parks and Recreation Association (IPRA), I’d like to thank everyone who helped with and/or attended the 2008 Indiana Green Expo on January 13-14 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. This marks the second year where […]
Attention Professional Lawn Care Operators: Interested in Organic Options?
Interest in organic lawn care is on the rise throughout the country and many more questions than answers are still out there on how to make this work effectively. A session at the Indiana Green Expo on Monday afternoon Jan 14, will cover some of the basics and how-to’s of organic lawn care. Come with […]
Still time left to sign up for Indiana Green Expo!
The registration deadline is fast-approaching for the Green Expo and forms must be postmarked by Dec. 31. The Indiana Green Expo is the largest turf, ornamental, nursery, and landscape conference in the Indiana and is jointly sponsored by the Midwest Regional Turf Foundation, Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association, and Indiana Parks and Recreation Association. Over […]
Upcoming Education: Basic Training Turfgrass Management
This is a one-day workshop that’s 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 […]
Winterkill in warm-season turfgrasses
Winterkill in warm-season grasses is highly variable and difficult to study by scientists. Because of this, our understanding of winterkill is based on science as well as practical experience and observation. Since winterkill in warm-season grasses can be affected by genetics, temperature extremes, and management factors, an endless combination of these factors can interact to […]
How late can you seed?
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. For optimum establishment, seeding should be done in late August or early September. Waiting as […]
Winterizer Fertilizers?
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 nitrogen (nitrogen is the first of the three prominent numbers on the bag while potassium […]
IN-IL Turfgrass Short Course to be offered again in Indiana this year
The IN-IL Turfgrass Short Course will be held in two locations in 2008, in Lebanon, IN on Feb. 11-14 and in Willowbrook, IL, on Feb. 25-28. This is an outstanding course for new and experienced turf professionals. It’s designed for turf managers with some experience and an understanding of HOW we maintain turf, and meant […]
Three Invasive White Grubs Found By Indiana Survey
The presence of three potentially serious white grub pests of turfgrass and ornamental plants were confirmed this year during surveys conducted by the Turfgrass Entomology and Applied Ecology Laboratory at Purdue University and the Indiana Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey with the help of several golf course superintendents, concerned citizens and one very keen graduate student […]
MRTF’s Turf and Ornamental Seminar in Nov 13-14
Mark your calendars for Nov 13-14 for MRTF’s Turf and Ornamental Seminar at the Daniel Center at Purdue. This course is an advanced 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 questions and discussion. Topics this […]
MRTF Golf Day at Coyote Crossing on Oct. 11
Openings are still available for the MRTF Golf Day on Oct 11 at the Hale Irwin-designed Coyote Crossing Golf Club in West Lafayette. This annual event is held to promote turfgrass research, raise awareness of the Purdue Turfgrass Science Program, and provide an enjoyable day of golf. It’s an early morning event starting at 8:30 […]
Dr. Aaron Patton Receives 2007 Musser Award
The Musser International Turfgrass Foundation has selected Dr. Aaron J. Patton of the University of Arkansas as the recipient of the 2007 Musser Award of Excellence. The award, which carries a stipend of $20,000, was presented earlier this year at the Golf Industry Show in Anaheim, Calif. Patton, 29, now serves as an assistant professor […]
Precipitation Deficit Map as of 15 August
Though many parts of central IN was lucky enough to get significant rainfall this week, many parts of the state have not. Below is the Rainfall Deficit Map as of Aug 15, courtesy of the Indiana State Climate Office. This information and much weather information is available at www.iclimate.org
Gray Leaf Spot Update
We have just documented the first case of gray leaf spot this year from a golf course in Bloomington . We have learned that the disease will develop over a broad range of environmental conditions (not just hot and wet) and it continues to be very dry south of Indianapolis . Our research results showed […]
Rejuvenating Turf Areas After Drought
Eight weeks or more of high temperatures with minimal rain has taken a toll on turfgrasses around the state. Though some local areas in central IN have received ample rain in the last week, many areas are still very dry. We are just entering the window when significant turf recovery can be encouraged. Reseeding is […]
Something New in Golf Course Turf…Ghost Grass and Mad Tiller Disease???
Photo by: Steve McDonald of Turfgrass Disease Solutions located in Philadelphia Photo by: Cale Bigelow in West Lafayette Over the past week a relatively new turf malady has become prevalent on golf turf throughout the region. This new phenomenon has been referred to as “Mad Tiller Disease”, and “Ghost Grass” in the United Kingdom , […]
Turf Field Day Held July 17
Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the 2007 Midwest Regional Turf Field Day a success on Tuesday, July 17. Though we had rain for the first time in at least 19 years that dramatically affected the day, this years registration easily topped 700. Attendees had the opportunity to view the latest in […]
Nematode Survey Still On-Going
As summer stresses start to take a toll on our cool-season grasses on greens, more questions are arising about the potential of nematodes. We found ring and stunt nematodes in many of our samples from last year, but we’re not convinced yet that they are a primary cause in turf decline (see http://www.agry.purdue.edu/turf/tips/2006/nem112.htm for complete results). Pinpointing […]