In the upper Mid-West and East Coast, many superintendents are now well into the 'catch-up' phase of spring management programs.  After a winter that would not relent, into an active spring severe storm weather pattern with warm muggy air masses, the turf has really 'taken off', so to speak.  Obviously, a true spring weather pattern will be compressed in duration this year, as longer range forecasts look like a summer weather pattern will become dominate very soon. 

Playing 'catch-up' is never ideal and it frustrates the proper timing of maintenance practices that work better when they are properly spaced out over several days and even weeks.  Consequently, turf managers must be fast on their feet, yet not loose sight of the overall objectives and the things that need to be done.  Further, those practices that should be imposed PRIOR to the onset of stressful weather, must still be fitted into maintenance schedules. 

The soil temperatures have risen dramatically in the last seven to ten days and as a result, annual grassy weeds have been germinating rapidly and vigorously, Poa annua seedheads have emerged with abandon, and accelerated vertical growth rates are consuming carbohydrates almost as fast as the turf can produce them.  All of these factors bring me to the subject of pro-active management.  Regardless of what Mother Nature might throw at us, we have to adapt, make changes, re-set priorities at times, and keep our eye on the target.  We cannot sit back and react to our circumstances, rather we must attempt to stay ahead of those things that are happening to us in order to prepare the turf for what might be lurking on the horizon.

 For example, everyone has now been exposed to the term pre-stress conditioning in one way or another.  The drivers for pre-stress conditioning are the conservation of carbohydrate and the inclusion of bio-stimulant type chemistries that contain anti-oxidants and cytokinins to supplement the nutritional diet of the turf.  The conservation of carbohydrate is best achieved through the use of plant growth regulators, which reduces growth which, in turn, reduces consumption of the carbohydrate the turf has been working hard to produce.  The bio-stimulant products containing anti-oxidants and cytokinins improve the turf's natural defense mechanisms, and keep the turf in the strongest possible position for the continued production of new roots when adverse conditions develop ( rapidly accelerating soil and air temperatures).  In order for these practices and additions to the maintenance schedule to be the most affective, they must be initiated prior to the onset of adverse environmental conditions  (hence the term pre-stress conditioning). 

Keep managing Mother Nature the best that you can and remember that being pro-active is the best way to accomplish that goal...

In my recent travels, I was able to see that spring has begun to arrive.  That being said, much of the landscape of the upper Mid-West and East Coast are still behind with regard to growth and development of turfgrasses (as well as other plants in the area).  The development and emergence of annual bluegrass seedheads is several days later than last year, so PGR suppression should be better this year.  Golf course superintendents continue to vary with regard to their PGR choice from Embark to Proxy to the combination of Proxy/Primo.  The pluses and minuses of any choice remain from year to year and are not consistent from place to place.  From a percent reduction perspective, Embark continues to provide the best suppression, but it does have some baggage that Proxy/Primo applications do not typically have (injury to off target species, discoloration, etc.). 

Remember that suppressing annual bluegrass seedheads conserves carbohydrate which makes the plant stronger and better able to withstand environmental stresses during the summer months.  Therefore, if reducing the amount of annual bluegrass in the stand is one of your objectives, it is better to let it produce the head and put all your cultural programming into promoting the creeping bentgrass or what ever species you are attempting to encourage.  For example, if you are trying to convert a mixed stand of annual bluegrass and creeping bentgrass to more creeping bentgrass by using Class B PGR's, the timing of application is best when the annual bluegrass seedhead is beginning to shatter (around the end of May). 

The American Society of Agronomy (Crop Science/C-5 Turfgrass Division) has a CD available that discusses in great deal the classification system now being used for PGR's.  It is authored by myself, Dr.Joe Dipaola, and Dr.Dennis Shepherd.  This CD contains the most comprehensive explanation and discussion of plant growth regulator use on turfgrasses.  Please understand that this is not a sales pitch as the authors do not receive any compensation (the proceeds go to the society. 

Here we go again!

In some parts of the upper Mid-West, winter will just not go away!  Even in locations where it is not still snowing, the precipitation has been cold, cold rain and air temperature 12-15 degrees below normal.  Those that love to fish (not ice fish), in MN and WI are headed for one of the latest ice outs on record (talk about  good 'indicators' as to the timing for various turfgrass management practices being put into a cocked hat!).  

In any event, the interval between various cultural practices, i.e. seedhead suppression, crabgrass control, core cultivation, topdressing, over-seeding, etc. are going to be put into a compressed mode of action.  It is important that when these circumstances happen, that you are able to be nimble with you timing, prioritizing of your actions, and thinking.  I cannot over emphasize the thinking part of the previous statement.  Stay in a pro-active rather than re-active management approach, do not panic, nor knee-jerk what you impliment and things will work out just fine.

At this time of year, your turf will mostly react to things you cannot control (soil temperature, weather patterns, etc.  Therefore, you cannot force the issue, you can only manage it.  It is said that patience is a virtue and I know that being patient is difficult, particularly when there are golfers with even less patience than you beating on your door for action.  

This is the time to practice and refine your communication skills, both written and oral in order to keep everyone from employees to end users on the same page.....

More later this week as conditions change, for better or worse depending on where you are!

As was predicted the weather has turned much warmer in the mid-Atlantic and Northeastern U.S.
Showers and some T-storms are putting down precipitation that is made up of relatively warm water, which can rapidly increase soil temperatures, particularly near the surface where new roots are initiating growth from crown buds.  

New rooting of creeping bentgrass and Poa annua in green's height situations, appears to be a 'neck and neck' proposition (which bodes well for the creeping bentgrass).   Usually, the Poa annua has a bit of a competitive advantage when it comes to early rooting, but it doesn't not appear to be much this year. 

Earthworm activity has substantially increased of late, so Mother Nature's aerifiers are doing their job, but making a bit of a mess in the process.  These critters can disrupt the chemical barrier provided by preemergence herbicides which reduces effectiveness (even more so that mechanical core cultivation).  Dr. Dave Shetlar at The Ohio State University is a valuable resource for you with regard to reducing earthworm populations. 

As an aside, the book 'Managing Turfgrass Pests' published in the early 90's by myself, Dr. Peter Dernoden, and Dr. Shetlar has been recently revised and should be available to you by the end of this month.  Many updates, photos, and new cultural control strategies have been added to this second edition.  

READY, SET, GO!

It appears that spring is about to arrive in most of the northern most states after a long winter and a spring that has been stubborn to show up.  With warmer weather patterns now developing, cool season turfgrasses will get 'kick started' by this warming as they have re-hydrated and have become physiologically prepared for regrowth. 

Annual bluegrass seedheads will begin to emerge rather rapidly leaving a smaller window for proper timing of PGR applications.  Remember to supplement what ever growth regulators you might be using, with foliar nitrogen and bio-stimulant sources.  These supplements will enhance the activity of the chosen PGR and facilitate movement throughout the plant.  Carefully examine some of the Poa plants in order to monitor seedhead development in the 'boot stage' of development.  When developing seedheads are visible, application timing is right!

If the warmer weather pattern holds, summer annual grasses (particularly smooth crabgrass), could still germinate early.  Monitor soil temperature (remember to measure soil temperature in the upper half inch of the profile) and when the temperature is 55F in the morning before heating from the sun occurs, for three days in a row, make your preemergence application and be sure to irrigate it into the ground.  Incidentally, this phenomenon coincides very closely with the first petal fall of forsythia (a good phenotipical indicator). 

Your comments are always welcome and let's get the growing season started!!!

Dr. Tom-Turfgrass Expert

Welcome to Dr. Tom - Turfgrass Expert

Welcome to my turfgrass blog...

 I have spent over 40 years in the turfgrass industry, beginning as an undergraduate student at Iowa State, then a graduate student at Virginia Tech, and then a professor of turfgrass science at The Pennsylvania State University until my retirement as Professor Emeritus of Turfgrass Science.  I have taught many turfgrass courses (both resident and on-line), conducted research, consulted, published a turfgrass pest management book, written several hundred scientific journal and trade magazine articles, provided turfgrass management expertise to golf courses nationally and internationally, and have provided expert witness testimony in a number of court cases (all of which lead to successful outcomes for the client).  My intentions for this blog are to provide timely information for the implementation of successful turfgrass management strategies for golf courses, athletic fields, lawns, commercial properties, and sod production operations world wide. 

Additionally, this blog is intended to be interactive and a forum for the exchange of ideas and the advancement of current concepts for successfully managing all turfgrass systems.  Further, with linkages to other social media sources, the information found herein will be useful for 'setting the record straight' on issues that require my expertise and experience.  I look forward to hearing from all that are interested.

Dr. Tom -Turfgrass Expert