Issues and Answers with Turfgrass Ronald Calhoun Michigan State University Extension

Top Ten List Crabgrass Moles Broadleaf Weeds Mulching Leaves Organic Renovation Fertilizer Mowing Watering Grubs

Pesticides are a shortcut to cultural practices. -the Yard Doctor, 2006

My Perfect Lawn Today Species

Turfgrasses of Michigan: Characteristics and Adaptation Turfgrass SpeciesRecommended Relative Tolerance Mowing Height Nitrogen Regime Irrigation Requirement HeatColdDroughtShadeWear(inches)Per year Kentucky bluegrassYesFairGoodMediumPoorMedium2 - 4 Medium to High (2 to 6 lbs. N) Yes Tall FescueYesGoodPoorExcellentGood Low to Medium (1 to 2 lb.s N) Seldom Perennial RyegrassYesPoor Very Poor Fair Good Medium to High (2 to 6 lbs. N) Yes Annual RyegrassYes* Very Poor Poor Medium to High (2 to 6 lbs. N) Yes Fine Fescues Sheep, Creeping Red, Hard YesFairMediumGoodExcellentPoor Low (< 2 lb.s N) Seldom ZoysiagrassNoExcellentMediumExcellentGoodExcellent Low to Medium (1 to 2 lb.s N) Seldom BuffalograssNoExcellentMediumExcellent Very Poor Fair2 or > Low (< 2 lb.s N) Seldom BermudagrassNoExcellentPoorGoodPoorExcellent High (6 lbs. N or >) Yes * Only as a temporary cover during establishment.

Bunch Type -Tillers

Stoloniferous - Stolons

Rhizomatous -Rhizomes

My Perfect Lawn Today Fertility Species

Jim Dandy Lawn Fertilizer Guaranteed Analysis Total Nitrogen (N) % Ammoniacal Nitrogen % Urea % Available Phosphate (P 2 O 5 ) % Soluble Potash % Derived from: Urea Nitrogen, Ammonium Phosphate, Muriate of Potash. Equivalent to: 700 lbs CaCO 3 Net Wt. 50 lbs Text J.T. Dandy Fertilizer Company 4444 Farm Lane East Lansing, MI 48824

TreatmentCrabgrass 1.5 height317 3 height height Holiday plan height Holiday plan 7 Lawn Weed BMP II (2 years)

MSU Soil Test Reports Summary of 500 Samples apply lb P 2 O 5 apply lb P 2 O 5 no apps.

My Perfect Lawn Today Fertility Species Mowing Height

The One-Third Rule Desired Mowing Height Mowing following 1/3 Rule

Plant response to mowing heights

Continual Scalping 6

Kentucky bluegrass Mowing Height 2 or 4 inches Fertilizer Program None or Holiday Plan (3 # N/M/YR) Herbicide Treatment None, Trimec Classic or Confront BMP plots at MSU

2, non-fertilized 4, non-fertilized 4, 3 # N/M/YR 4, 3 # N/M/YR, Trimec Pictures from May 10, 2004

2, non-fertilized 4, non-fertilized 4, 3 # N/M/YR 4, 3 # N/M/YR, Trimec Pictures from Jul 13, 2004

DANDELIONCLOVER ONLY ONLY HOLIDAY HOLIDAY TRIMEC35 4 TRIMEC72 2 CONFRONT14 4 CONFRONT11 2 HOLIDAY TRIMEC10 4 HOLIDAY TRIMEC20 2 HOLIDAY CONFRONT00 4 HOLIDAY CONFRONT10 BMP Results (five years)

Top Ten List Crabgrass Moles Broadleaf Weeds Mulching Leaves Organic Renovation Fertilizer Mowing Watering Grubs

My Perfect Lawn Today Fertility Species Mowing Height Irrigation

My Perfect Lawn Today Fertility Species Mowing Height Irrigation Cultivation

Top Ten List Crabgrass Moles Broadleaf Weeds Mulching Leaves Organic Renovation Fertilizer Mowing Watering Grubs

Root Feeding Insects Grubs: Japanese beetle European chafer June beetle Black turfgrass ataenius Aphodius granarius

Japanese Beetle-Larvae Damage: Feed on roots in May and early June and again in Sept. and October Moisture stress causes damaged turf to turn brown Appearance: White C-shaped grubs to 1 Threshold: per sq. ft. on irrigated turf 5-10 per sq. ft. on non-irrigated turf

Japanese Beetle-Adult Adults emerge in July - early August. Dark metallic green beetle, half inch long. Adults feed on wide range of ornamentals. Eggs deposited in turf July - August.

Japanese Beetle Larvae mature to 1/2 to 1 in. late Sept. Damaged turf may die from root pruning. Grubs move deeper into soil to overwinter. Larvae pupate to beetles following June.

Japanese Beetle Skunks and raccoons may rip up turf looking for larvae. Irrigated turf has a tremendous ability to recover. Monitor populations. Insecticides should be watered-in to reach the larvae.

Japanese Beetle Control is highly variable. 50 to 80% control Check 3 weeks after treatment Beetle traps do not provide control. Biological insecticides. Variable results Check for latest efficacy information and new products

European Chafer-Larvae Damage: Feed on roots in early May - June and again in Sept. - Oct. Damaged turf may turn brown Appearance: White C-shaped grub up to 1 Threshold: per sq. ft. on irrigated turf 5-10 per sq. ft. on un-irrigated turf

European Chafer-Adult Light brown, stout body, clubbed antennae, half in. long Adults emerge in late June and July - about 2 weeks earlier than Japanese beetle Similar one year life cycle

European Chafer Information Grubs feed longer in the fall (early Nov.) and return to the surface sooner (early April) than JB. Damage threshold and control similar to Japanese beetle.

Top Ten List Crabgrass Moles Broadleaf Weeds Mulching Leaves Organic Renovation Fertilizer Mowing Watering Grubs

Preemergence Barrier

Pick a date? Crabgrass emergence by month. May 51% May 0%

Soil temp better… Crabgrass emergence by month degrees F 85% <60 degrees F 0% degrees F 66%

Tunnel through the soil looking for grubs, earthworms, other insects and animals. Surface can be disrupted by raised ridges and soil piles. Moles

Top Ten List Crabgrass Moles Broadleaf Weeds Mulching Leaves Organic Renovation Fertilizer Mowing Watering Grubs

Weed ID on the WEB

Top Ten List Crabgrass Moles Broadleaf Weeds Mulching Leaves Organic Renovation Fertilizer Mowing Watering Grubs

What is organic?

What is natural?

What is a chemical?

Define the terms...

Establish the goals...

Everything in life has risk...

Relative Toxicity ProductLD50 (mg/kg) Gasoline40 Caffeine150 Aspirin1200 Table Salt3000 Vinegar3000 Glufosinate5000 Glyphosate10000