Turf Professional
Calibrating Ride-on Pesticide Sprayers and Fertilizer Spreaders: Keys to Application Accuracy (PPP-104)
Purdue Extension Publication
This publication addresses specific procedures for separately calibrating the pesticide sprayer and the fertilizer spreader of ride-on equipment. The goal is to ensure proper application to optimize performance.
Turfgrass Management: Sedge Control for Turf Professionals (AY-338-W)
Purdue Extension Publication
This publication describes the life cycle and identification of yellow nutsedge, and recommends cultural and chemical management options in cool- and warm-season turf for professional turf managers. This publication also addresses other problem sedges. A similar publication is available for homeowners: Turfgrass Management Yellow Nutsedge Control (AY-19-W)
Annual Ryegrass Showing Up in Lawns
I have had several emails and weed samples submitted recently of an unknown grass. In each case, the sample was annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum). Annual ryegrass is a common ingredient in low quality seed mixtures. It appears in the spring time in lawns seeded the previous year either from some annual ryegrass in the seed […]
How to Mow Now That it has Stopped Raining
Tips for Mowing Wet Turf Sharpen your blades if you have not yet this spring. Mow in the afternoon when the leaf blades are dry if possible to reduce clumping of the grass blades. However, it is fine to mow wet turf or mow during light rain. Set the mower higher (especially if your grass […]
When Should I Apply My Preemergence Herbicide for Crabgrass Control?
Despite proper cultural practices, crabgrass may still remain problematic in certain turf areas. The best approach to controlling crabgrass is to use a preemergence herbicide such as dithiopyr (Dimension), pendimethalin (Pendulum), prodiamine (Barricade), prodiamine + quinclorac (Cavalcade PQ), sulfentrazone + prodiamine (Echelon), and others. These herbicides inhibit cell division and prevent crabgrass seeds from properly […]
A Tale of Two Years
We are finally through a cold March and into what appears to be a normal April. The graph below compares January, February, and March in 2012 and 2013 to our 30 year normal weather averages for those months. The temperature outlook for the next three months has us with slightly above average […]
A Much Different Start to the Year
A year ago we had record high temperatures and we were scrambling to apply preemergence herbicides for crabgrass control. On March 22 last year, I had crabgrass germinating in my garden! However, this year I can tell you that crabgrass is a long ways off from germinating today. The chart below shows the dramatic difference […]
Use Growing Degree Days to Better Time Your Applications
Monitoring growing degree days can be an effective way to better time applications and increase your weed control. A helpful website (www.gddtracker.net) is available to help you monitor growing degree days for timing herbicide and plant growth regulator applications. What can this website help me with? Need help determining when to apply your preemergence herbicide? […]
Survey – cool-season putting greens
Calling all cool-season putting green managers!!! Real-world feedback needed…. We are following up on an article we published in Golf Course Management Magazine last fall titled “An economic comparison of creeping bentgrass and annual bluegrass maintenance practices”. We are seeking some “real-world” feedback regarding current grass species, grass species preferences and common maintenance practices. […]
Tree Problems? We Have an App for That!
After two years of development, we have released a new smart phone app that will help you diagnose and find recommendations to manage over 175 tree problems on over 60 kinds of trees. We call it the Purdue Tree Doctor. It will be like having our entire library of photos and recommendations in your pocket […]
Turf Field Day: Another Hot Day in the Sun
Thanks to all the 459 attendees and 32 exhibitors who attended the Midwest Regional Turfgrass Field Day Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at the W.H. Daniel Turfgrass Research Center in W. Lafayette, IN. We had golf and lawn research tours in the morning, two different afternoon tours, and two afternoon workshops and addressed many current topics […]
Drought Outlook and Water Restriction Updates
An updated drought map of Indiana was released on July 26, 2012. Drought is rated as D0=abnormally dry, D1=moderate drought, D2=severe drought, D3=extreme drought, and D4=exceptional drought. Eighty-seven percent of the state is D2 or worse with 18.7% of the state in exception drought, with another 40% rated as extreme drought. Water Restrictions/Bans Because of […]
2012 Pesticide Clean Sweep Information and Planning Form
WHAT: An Indiana Pesticide Clean Sweep Project designed to collect and dispose of suspended, canceled, banned, unusable, opened, unopened or just unwanted pesticides (weed killers, insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, miticides, etc.) is being sponsored by the Office of Indiana State Chemist (OISC). This disposal service is free of charge up to 250 pounds per participant. Over […]
New! Purdue Extension Website with Drought Information
A new website has been created to help homeowners and professionals find useful information concerning how to cope with drought. This page includes resources about crops, turf, landscapes and more. Visit www.purdue.edu/drought for more information.
My Lawn is Brown and Crunchy… Is it Dead? What do I do now?
The first day of summer/longest day of the year for 2012 has come and gone and just this past week a new National Drought Monitor Map was published (see below). The city of West Lafayette in Tippecanoe County has now fallen into the “Severe Drought” category. In fact 36% of Indiana is now in […]
2012 Imprelis UPDATE
A new publication, Imprelis Update: 2012 Field Notes on Injury and Recovery, was just developed by Purdue Specialists to address some of the many questions being asked about Imprelis in 2012 including: Did trees recover from Imprelis® injury? Are new symptoms being discovered? What Should I Do if I Suspect Imprelis® Injured Trees BUT I […]
It’s getting toasty out there! Update on drought and management adjustments
If you like your toast burnt and your bacon crisp, then you might be enjoying this weather. Most of Indiana has entered into drought officially as determined by the drought monitor (see map below). Maps are updated weekly and available at: http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/monitor.html Indiana specific weather can also be found at http://iclimate.org/index.asp including maps like […]
Should I apply an herbicide right now?
Here are some thoughts on summer weed control in non-irrigated areas during periods of drought: Herbicides are ineffective on drought-stressed weeds and can be damaging to drought-stressed turf, especially when temperatures are warm. My rule-of-thumb is that if the lawn is >50% green, then herbicides can be applied. Avoid the temptation to apply herbicides […]
Time to Water?
With the heat and dry conditions most in Indiana are experiencing, many turf areas are starting to brown. Water is critical to the growth of all plants, not just turfgrass. Turfgrass leaves and shoots are comprised of about 80% water. A lack or water (rainfall or irrigation) will lead to a decrease in growth and […]