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New web site for disease identification: www.msuturfdiseases.net
Information most relevant for Spring
Crabgrass Control in Home Lawns
Crabgrass is one of the most prevalent grassy weeds found in Michigan lawns. Crabgrass thrives in full sunlight and high temperatures and can easily out compete common cool-season grasses under these conditions.
Weed ID: Turf Weeds
Learn key identification characteristics of common and not-so-common turfgrass weeds found in Michigan and the midwest.
Disease ID: Turf Diseases
The MSU Department of Plant Pathology has developed a great web site for identification of turf diseases as well as detailed information and photos of 22 turf diseases.
Japanese Beetle
Japanese beetle larvae can cause serious damage to golf course fairways and occasionally to home lawns. It normally is not a problem of non-irrigated turf.
European Chafer
The European chafer may be the most serious grub pest of home lawns and low-maintenance turf.
Purchasing Quality Turfgrass Seed: Read the Label
Purchasing quality turfgrass seed for reestablishing lawns or establishing new lawns is critical to the future success of the lawn. Several key words often seen on bags of lawn seed are common indicators of what turfgrass species the bag contains.
Flooding of Turf
Several factors determine turf survival under water: turfgrass species, submersion duration, submersion depth, water temperature and light intensity.
Kentucky Bluegrass Cultivars for Michigan
Kentucky bluegrass is the most widely used turfgrass in Michigan. It is used in home lawns, institutional grounds, parks and athletic fields. The species is persistent and attractive and has a medium to fine leaf texture and medium to dark green color when properly fertilized.
GDDTracker 4.0
The MSU GDDTracker network monitors weather data from Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Ohio. The database updates each evening with the previous days data and a new five day forecast. GDDTracker includes tools for weed emergence, insect activiy, and application timing for annual bluegrass seedhead suppression.
Phosphorus Restrictions Resources
Legislation restricting phosphorus use on turfgrass in Michigan became effective Jan. 1, 2012.
• MSU Soil Testing Lab Recommendations for Phosphorus Applications to Turfgrass • Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (Excerpt), Act 451 of 1994, Part 85 Fertilizers: Sections pertaining to phosphorus restrictions highlighted. • New Legislation Restricts Phosphorus Fertilizer Application on Turf, article by April Hunt, MDARD • Phosphorus Restrictions FAQ's • Use Phosphorus Free Fertilizer
Additional resources you may find helpful
Integrated Pest Management for Home Lawns
Integrated pest management (IPM) is a system of managing pests by using a variety of control methods. For turfgrass management, the system is designed to optimize conditions for healthy plant growth because a healthy and vigorously growing lawn can tolerate a higher degree of pest pressure.
European Chafer and Japanese Beetle on Sod Farms
Some sod farms in Michigan have had problems with Japanese beetle or European chafer in recent years. Spring is a good time to review your strategy for the next generation.
Bluegrass Billbug
The bluedgrass billbug, Sphenophorus parvulus, is a weevil that occasionally causes extensive damage to home lawns in Michigan. These beetles are named because of their long snout or "bill" which ends in a set of small mandibles or jaws. Billbugs in the lawn are generally not detected until the first signs of damage appear in July.
MSU Water Page
The non-ag irrigation committee recently completed a document outlining best management practices for non-agricultural irrigation. The BMP document is available for download. Several external irrigation resources are also available here.
MSU Turfgrass Research Reports
Turfgrass Research Reports for 2006-2009. Reports on previous year's project for MSU Turf Team members.
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