Goosegrass - A Troublesome Summer Annual

I have had a number of recent phone calls from sports turf managers asking about goosegrass.  The Purdue University Turfgrass Department recently posted a turf tip in regards to goosegrass.  Click HERE to see the post from Aaron Patton, Turfgrass Extension Specialist.

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Western Boone High School - Fountain Central High School - The Tale of Two Football Field Grow-Ins

Both projects have been discussed on the blog in 2013.  Here is an update on both projects:

Western Boone - Below is a picture taken on July 23, 2013.  The sodded Kentucky bluegrass surface (maintained at 4 inches) is performing well in the rather cool summer.  With that said, the field is a bit dry.  Irrigation has been adjusted after discussion with the grounds staff:

To learn more about this project click HERE and HERE.

Fountain Central - Below is a picture taken on July 26, 2013.  The seeded Riviera bermudagrass surface has made great strides over the past 3 weeks.  The field was topdressed just prior to this photo and is maintained at 1 inch:

To learn more about this project click HERE.

Bottom line, both fields will perform well this fall.  Which surface would you prefer to manage?

The SmartTurf Blog will monitor each surface as football begins.

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Should Grub Control Be Applied to My Field?

Now is the time to answer the question.  HERE is a recent Turf Tip from Purdue University.

Bottom line, if in doubt, make a preventative treatment.  The cost for the product is not excessive, but potential damage could be excessive.

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Summer Turf Decline - Fall Use Fields

Summer decline is in effect at various stages across the Midwest.  HERE is a great link to a video from Joe Rimelspach from Ohio State Plant Pathology.  

Towards the conclusion of the bulletin Joe discusses preparing athletic fields for the upcoming fall season.  Bottom line, keep up the mowing practices and preventative maintenance strategies for athletic fields.  Fall sports seasons begin in full force in the next couple weeks.

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.  

Play on!

--Jamie

@JamieMehringer

Buffer Strip - Warm Season Turf

A quick post in regards to buffer strip for turf.  This is a great example of a buffer strip that is used to keep bermudagrass from migrating into another field.  The strip also serves as a "road" for equipment, utility vehicles, etc.

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Warmer Weather - Warmer Soil Temps

Summer has officially arrived across the country.  Here is a reading at a 2 inch depth today in Westfield, IN

If you are growing warm season turf, you are in luck and you stand of turf is growing rapidly.  If you are maintaining cool season turf, take precautions to keep the turf cool and avoid extending the dew periods.

HERE is a great Turf Tip from Dr. Aaron Patton from Purdue University on summer stress to cool season turf.

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Groundcover for Chain Link Fences?

See the photo below of euonymus ground cover at Covenant Christian High School.  Euonymus was chosen due to the plants aggressive growth habit, early "leaf out" in the early spring, and ease of maintenance.  In fact, shot of trimming, the only attention this ground cover receives is Nature Safe fertilizer when it is applied to the field on a monthly basis.

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Riviera Bermudagrass Seeding - Warm Weather Encourages Growth in Central Indiana

Finally, warmer weather has begun to arrive in central Indiana.  Fall use bermudagrass fields are showing signs of growth.  Cooler temps have caused bermudagrass to be slow to grow this spring/early summer.

One grow-in project the J&D Turf team is working on this summer is the grow-in of the varsity football field at Fountain Central High School.  The field was seeded and late May and the cool start to summer caused a slow grow-in.  With the warmer reps, the field has begun to grow rapidly.  Here are a few photos:


Here is a close up taken on June 22, 2013 - Germination has just begun - 30 days behind 2012 germination patterns:

The field on June 27, 2013:

The field on July 4, 2013 - QuinPro application for crabgrass and SedgeHammer for yellow nutsedge:

The field 5 days later - July 9, 2013 - after 2.5 lbs of 21.0.0 over a 10 day period:

Bottom line, with a Riviera bermudgrass seed establishment is to control 3 main items:

1. Irrigation/Plant Stress - DO NOT let the plant/seedlings dry
2. Weed Control - Control crabgrass and nutsedge early and often
3. Fertilize - Use Ammonium Sulfate - don't be afraid to fertilize at 1 lb/N/1,000 sq ft/wk until the surface has 100% cover (DO NOT over fertilize late in the summer Aug 15-Sept 15)

Check back as updates on the field will be posted frequently.

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Purdue University - Midwest Regional Turf Foundation Field Day

Purdue University and the MRTF hosted Field Day yesterday at the Daniel Turfgrass Research Center on the campus of Purdue University.  Here are a couple of photos of the event:

Event tent for lunch and fall back in case of inclement weather:

Award of Achievement dinner the night before Field Day honoring the Imprelis Response Team from Purdue and Ryan Baldwin:

Trade Show:

Research green:

Bermudagrass research plots:

Great work by the Purdue Turfgrass team and the MRTF.  

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.

Play on!

--Jamie

@JamieMehringer

Purdue University - Midwest Regional Turf Foundation Summer Field Day

The Purdue University/MRTF Field Day will take place on July 9, 2013.  If you are in the area, please consider joining us for this educational event at the Daniel Turf Center in West Lafayette, IN.

To learn more about the Field Day, click HERE.

To learn more about the MRTF, click HERE.

To learn more about Purdue Turfgrass Science, click HERE.

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.

Play on!

--Jamie

@JamieMehringer

Summer Diseases of Cool Season Sports Turf

I visited a field on the morning of July 3, 2013.  Here is a close up photo of the field after a late afternoon rain event on July 2 and think morning fog:

Bottom line, we are entering a period where diseases of cool season turf will be present.  Keep a close eye on your playing surface(s).

Here are the three most common diseases on cool season turf in the month of July:

All publications from Purdue University Turfgrass and Plant Pathology:

Dollar Spot: http://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/BP/BP-105-W.pdf
Brown Patch: http://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/BP/BP-106-W.pdf
Pythium Blight: http://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/BP/BP-109-W.pdf

There are other diseases that could affect your stand of turf in the month of July and other times of the year.  To see a complete list from Purdue, click HERE.

Have a great 4th of July.

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer