Alabama Turf Times - Fall 2012

Fall 2012

Managing

Invasive

Plants

in Natural Areas Preparing

Warm-Season Turf for winter Plus, Special Inside —

Keeping it Green... at ATA’s Annual Turfgrass Conference & Tradeshow, October 2–4, 2012

Fall 2012

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Top Features Upcoming Event — 10 Keeping It Green... at ATA’s Annual

Turfgrass Conference & Tradeshow, October 2–4, 2012

ATA Member Spotlight— 16 Glenn Hedden,

Incoming ATA President

Cover Story — 18 Managing Invasive Plants in Natural Areas

Turf Talk — 22 Preparing Warm-Season Turf for Winter

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Turf Tips — 24 Fall Armyworms

Departments

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www.AlaTurfgrass.org 4

6 From the President’s Pen 8 ATA Annual Sponsors 8 News from ATA Slate of 2012–2013 ATA Leaders 26 Calendar of Events 26 Advertiser Index

The Alabama Turfgrass Association serves its members in the industry through education, promotion and representation. The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the association, its staff, or its board of directors, Alabama Turf Times, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or their identification as Alabama Turfgrass Association members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in this, past or subsequent issues of this quarterly publication. Copyright © 2012 by the Alabama Turfgrass Association. Alabama Turf Times is published quarterly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of the Alabama Turfgrass Association. Third-class postage is paid at Nashville, TN. Printed in the U.S.A. We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs. Contact the managing editor for contribution information. Advertising: For display and classified advertising rates and insertion please contact Leading Edge Communications, LLC, 206 Bridge Street, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 790-3718, www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com

From the President’s Pen >>>

See You Soon

in auburn!

G

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reetings! As I write this, it’s mid-July, and the weather so far has been particularly sporadic this summer — heat waves, random thunderstorms and either light rain, heavy rain or no rain in sight. This season seems to reflect our industry. Some days, things are great and everything’s going just fine, when along comes a heat wave in the form of an irate customer, a misinformed greens committee member, a mad little-league parent, etc. Then, there are days when it just pours down — busted irrigation systems, equipment malfunction, you name it… it has happened to all of us.

We all must weather the storms that come our way, but knowing that we are in this together helps. It’s a great feeling to share these experiences with peers and know that you are not alone. That’s what I love about the Alabama Turfgrass Association — I know that I am not alone. I have friends in the industry that I can count on for advice, help with a “storm” or just as a listening board. If you agree with me, make it a point to come to the ATA Conference this fall and devote some time to networking with your peers. It is truly the best benefit our association has to offer if you take advantage of it.

We’ve planned a great conference this year, with more education than ever before. In this economy, we understand that you need more benefits in return for your time away from your job. So, we are offering over 15 hours of educational sessions on current turf management issues, plus the only tradeshow in Alabama exclusively for turf products, four meals, two receptions, a live auction (where you can get products and items

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at great discounts), a golf tournament, tours of Auburn’s sports fields, CEU and pesticide re-certification points, and plenty of fellowship and contact-making time with your peers. Make it a priority to come this year, October 2–4, in Auburn, AL. You will be glad you did!

In addition, we are making things easier for attendees this year. First, we are moving the tradeshow back to the hotel, which will make it more convenient, with easier access to the exhibitors. Second, we are keeping everything at the hotel except for the first day’s activities (golf, campus sports-field walking tours and Welcome Reception). Third, we have on-line registration, so you can register and pay with just a few quick clicks (www.AlaTurfGrass.org). And if you register early, you can save money with the early-bird registration discount.

In closing, I would like to thank you for the honor of allowing me to serve as your 51st president. It’s a privilege to have served in this capacity and among the previous fifty great presidents that led the way of our great association. I could not have done this job without the support our executive director, Tricia Roberts, and the entire ATA board of directors. Each one of them worked hard to make our events and activities this year a success, and I want to personally thank them for all their support and dedication to our association. These are good folks that I have been blessed to work with and, most importantly, call friends.

I’ll see you all in Auburn at the Conference!

James Bartley 2011–2012 ATA President

Alabama Turf Times is the official publication of the: Alabama Turfgrass Association P.O. Box 70 Auburn, Alabama 36831 Tel: (334) 821-3000 Fax: (334) 821-3800 Email: mailbox@alaturfgrass.org www.alaturfgrass.org Published by: Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, Tennessee 37064 Tel: (615) 790-3718 Fax: (615) 794-4524 Email: info@leadingedgecommunications.com Executive Director Tricia Roberts Alabama Turf Times Editor James Horton Birmingham Botanical Gardens

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President James Bartley Harrell’s, Inc.

Vice President Glenn Hedden Town of Loxley

Treasurer John Carter

Carter Sod Farm

Past President Tom Wolf

Coosa Valley Turf Farms

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Golf Jeremy Sutton (1 year)

Montgomery Country Club

Lawncare Jason Cooper (2 years)

Richter Landscape Company

Parks & Recreation Raymond Sexton (1 year) City of Troy

Sod Tres’ Wilkinson (2 years) South Dallas Turf

Industry Steve Sanderson (2 years) AGRI-AFC, LLC

Institution Kim Byram (1 year) University of Alabama

At–Large Jeff Hill (1 year)

Cullman Golf Course Alabama Lawns

Sidney Whitaker (2 years) S & S Lawn & Landscape

EX OFFICIO/ EDUCATION ADVISORS Dave Han, Ph.D. Auburn University

Jim Jacobi, Ph.D.

Alabama Cooperative Extension System 7

Alab ama Tu rf T im es >>> Fall 2012

Craig Jones (2 years)

News from ATA >>>

Alabama Turfgrass Association

2013 Slate of Officers and Board of Directors

The

membership of the Alabama Turfgrass Association will have the opportunity to vote on the following slate of officers and directors for the upcoming year at the ATA Annual Business Meeting, to be held at the Conference on Wednesday, October 3. Please make every point to attend this meeting and vote on the future leadership of your association.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (1-year terms) President Glenn Hedden (1 year) Town of Loxley Vice President John Carter (1 year) Carter Sod Farm

BOARD OF DIRECTORS At Large Richard Brackin (2 years) Lawrence County Sod Farm Sidney Whitaker (1 year) S & S Lawn Care Jason Cooper (1 year) Richter Landscape Company Golf Cole McInnis (2 years) Willow Point Country Club

Treasurer Jeremy Sutton (1 year) Montgomery Country Club

Industry Steve Sanderson (1 year) AGRI-AFC, LLC

Past President James Bartley (1 year) Southern Lawns

Institution Paul Patterson (2 years) University of Alabama Huntsville

Lawn Care Craig Jones (1 year) Alabama Lawns Park & Recreation Mark Irwin (2 years) City of Foley Sod Tres’ Wilkinson (1 year) South Dallas Turf Ex Officio/Education Advisors Dave Han, Ph.D. Auburn University Jim Jacobi, Ph.D. AL Cooperative Extension System v

ATA Annual Sponsors >>>

2012 ATA Annual Sponsors

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The companies listed here support the ATA and its members.

Please keep them in mind when making your purchasing decisions.

GOLD

SILVER

BRONZE

Beard Equipment Company

AAT – Direct Solutions

AGRI-AFC, LLC

DuPont Professional

Greenville Turf & Tractor

Ewing

Agromax

Products

Golf Ventures, Inc.

John Deere Landscapes

Aquatrols

Harrell’s, Inc.

Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation

Syngenta T&O Products

BASF

Humphries Turf Supply

Bayer Environmental Science

Southern States Turf Sur-Line Turf

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Upcoming Event >>>

By Tricia Edwards, ATA Executive Director

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Keeping

it green… that’s what turfgrass managers do.

And ATA has planned the educational sessions at the 2012 Annual Turfgrass Conference and Tradeshow to help you do just that — effectively manage your turf and keep it green. Come, learn some new tips and techniques to help you maintain your turfgrass, network with your peers, talk with vendors and earn your CEU and pesticide re-certification points, all while having a great time at the Annual Turfgrass Conference and Tradeshow in Auburn on October 2–4.

The Conference will feature over 15 hours of educational sessions designed to give turfgrass managers a

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cutting edge on their management skills. Attendees will come away from this event with new information, helpful tips and useful suggestions to use in their turf management programs. Our featured speakers are industry professionals, turfgrass specialists, professors and researchers who will share their great knowledge with you. Take advantage of this economical opportunity to learn from some of the best in the industry.

Our tradeshow will feature some new details this year. First, we are bringing it back to the hotel, and it will feature tabletop displays exclusively. Second, the tradeshow will open with a grand opening reception on Wednesday evening, October 3, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Come, mingle with industry representatives in a relaxing atmosphere.

SCHEDULE at a Glance TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4

7 a.m. – 9 a.m. Tradeshow Open with Continental Breakfast at Auburn University Hotel & Conference Center

12 p.m. Golf Tournament at Saughatchee Country Club

12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Registration Open at Auburn University Hotel & Conference Center

9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Breakout Sessions

2 p.m. AU Sports Complex Walking Tour on the Auburn University Campus

5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Welcoming Reception at Saughatchee Country Club

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. Registration Open at Auburn University Hotel & Conference Center

7 a.m. Continental Breakfast

8 a.m. General Session

8 a.m. Auburn University Research Updates Auburn University Researchers

9 a.m. “Legal and Agronomic Issues with Phosphorus – Who Cares and Why” Beth Guertal, Ph.D., Auburn University

10 a.m. “Insect Control for Turf & Ornamentals” David Held, Ph.D., Auburn University

11 a.m. “Herbicide-Resistant Weeds in Turfgrass” Scott McElroy, Ph.D., Auburn University 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Tradeshow Set-Up

12 p.m. Lunch & Business Meeting

1 p.m. Turf Bowl Moderator Dave Han, Ph.D., Auburn University

4 p.m. – 6 p.m. Tradeshow Grand Opening & Reception

TURFGRASS “Best Management Practices”

PESTS “Managing Turfgrass Nematodes”

Dave Han, Ph.D. Auburn University

Lane Tredway, Ph.D. Syngenta

“Organic Matter Dynamics in Turfgrass Systems”

“Integrated Solutions for Spring Dead Spot Management”

Lee Berndt, Ph.D., CPAg, CCA Environmental Turf, Inc. “Warm-Season Grasses & Their Proper Application” Lee Berndt, Ph.D. Environ. Turf Tobey Wagner, Sod Solutions

Lane Tredway, Ph.D. Syngenta

“New Opportunities & Clients — Tapping into Water-Friendly Landscaping”

LANDSCAPE “New Diseases in the Landscape” Jim Jacobi, Ph.D. Alabama Cooperative Extension System “Preparing Your Business for Growth” Bruce Sheppard Weed Man, Virginia

“Weed Control in Landscape Beds” Charles Gilliam, Ph.D. Auburn University

Eve Brantley, Ph.D. Auburn University

Bill Carraway, Turfgrass Group 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Tradeshow Breakdown

12 noon Conference Adjournment & CEU and Pesticide Sign-Ups

6 p.m. Member Dinner & Live Auction

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Alab ama Tu rf T im es >>> Fall 2012

2 p.m. Keynote Presentation “How to Effectively Manage Your Employees” Bruce Sheppard, Weed Man, Virginia

8:30 a.m. ATRF Business Meeting

Cover Story >>> Get the Edge

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Immediately following the tradeshow grand opening reception, we’ll have our Membership Dinner and Live Auction. Be sure to register for this exciting and fun-filled event. Third, we will conclude the tradeshow on Thursday morning, October 4 with a continental breakfast from 7 a.m. – 9 a.m. The conference schedule allows the same amount of hours for the tradeshow, plus it allows exhibitors the opportunity to participate in the Membership Dinner.

Speaking of the Membership Dinner, participants will be treated to a delicious dinner prepared by the head chef at the Auburn University Hotel & Conference Center. Immediately after dinner, we will start our live auction with auctioneer Jimmy Collins and our famous yelpers, Wayne Bassett and Randy Bodine. We

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are currently seeking donations for the auction, so if you are able to donate something, we will greatly appreciate it. Be sure to bring your checkbook to the dinner, as you will be able to score some great items at fabulous prices. Seating is limited, so please register for this popular event to guarantee your seat!

And that’s not all the fun we’ve packed into the Conference! On the opening day, October 2, we have a golf tournament planned for all the golfers at Saughatchee Country Club. This private course is located just minutes from the host hotel. The Club will also be the location of our Welcome Reception that evening. So, even if you’re not a golfer, you can come out and experience the atmosphere at this beautiful facility.

For our non-golfers, we will offer a walking tour of the Auburn University sports turf facilities, including Jordan-Hare Stadium, Plainsman Park and the new indoor practice facility. Put on your walking shoes, and take this tour with Eric Kleypas, Auburn University’s sports turf manager, serving as tour guide.

Make your plans to attend this year’s Conference and Tradeshow. Visit www.AlaTurfGrass.org to register, call the Auburn University Hotel & Conference Center at 1-800-228-2876 to make your hotel reservations, then drive to Auburn on October 2 and enjoy all the festivities, education and tradeshow! We look forward to seeing you there!

Continued <<< Upcoming Event

What Can You Get at the ATA Auction?

Bet You Wouldn’t Guess an African Game Hunt?!

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area and restroom, within a variety of buildings on the property. All the meals — breakfast, lunch and dinner — were delicious and prepared by a professional chef.

They had two hunts a day, which included scouting for animals and ground blind hunting. After each morning hunt, Jim and Andy made their way back to the lodge for lunch and a two-hour rest. Then, after the afternoon hunt, they drove back to the lodge and enjoyed dinner. The most memorable part of the trip was the evenings around the fire, telling stories and jokes about the day’s events. It seemed that Jim’s shooting skills were the subject of many of the jokes.

Needless to say, Jim and Andy had a great time, and they both have hunting bragging rights!

We hope that you will score some amazing deals at this year’s auction. Be sure to sign up for this event while registering for the Annual Conference and Tradeshow.

Even if you don’t end up in Africa, you will enjoy every minute of the auction, as our members outbid each other and our famous yelpers, Wayne Bassett and Randy Bodine, entertain the crowd. Thanks to Jim Roberts and Andy Beauchamp for purchasing this great trip donated by Mike Brunson of Pfizer Pharmaceuticals last year! v

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Alab ama Tu rf T im es >>> Fall 2012

live auction at the ATA Conference & Tradeshow is the most popular event, due not only to the fun and excitement it brings, but also for the great deals you can score there! Last year was no exception — we had everything in the auction, including turfgrass products, a new fork-lift seat, golf passes, tickets to Disney World and even a hunting trip to Africa. The lucky winners of the African hunt were Jim Roberts and Andy Beauchamp of Greenville Turf & Tractor. They decided to bid on the hunt together, splitting the cost to take a trip of a lifetime!

The duo took the trip in May. They flew into Johannesburg, South Africa, and were greeted by the owner of the Marupa Safari Lodge, Pieter Vivers, and their guide. Vivers drove Jim and Andy to the lodge, which was approximately three-and-a-half hours from Johannesburg in the Limpopo Province of South Africa.

Andy and Jim were impressed with the accommodations and service they received while in Africa. The lodge included 30,000 acres of hunting land full of zebras, impala, wart hogs, kudu, spring buck, white rhinoceros and wildebeest. The accommodations were similar to duplexes, with each guest having his own private sleeping

ATA Member Spotlight >>>

Meet

Glenn Hedden, Incoming ATA President,

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I

In His Own Words

was raised on a small farm in south Alabama, where I was taught the values of God, family, hard work and a respect for the land and the crops it produces. My parents instilled in me the values and ethics that are the core of my life today. They were — and still are — very influential in my life. Sometimes, it took great effort on their part to get my attention, but their persistence kept me from straying too far.

I’ve been a member of the ATA since 1986, the same year that I graduated from Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in Agronomy and Soils. I have been active in turfgrass management since that time. I worked as an assistant golf course superintendent at Gulf Shores Golf Club, where I was involved in rebuilding the greens and installing a new irrigation system. I became superintendent there in 1995.

After leaving the course in 1999, I worked as the irrigation supervisor on a sod farm for a couple of months, and then I became the parks and recreation supervisor for the town of Loxley. For the past 13 years, I have managed a multi-field complex, including five baseball fields, a foot-

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ball field, a soccer field, a walking trail, two playgrounds and many more acres of park grounds. I am very honored to have served on the ATA board of directors as the parks and recreation representative for two years, the treasurer for one year and vice president for one year.

I am supported at home by Lenora, my wonderful wife of 26 years. Our daughter Sarah is in her third year of college, studying criminal justice. Our son Caleb lives in Robertsdale, AL, and his wife will have our first grandchild this August. We’re very excited! Our other son, Taylor, is in his third year of college at Samford University in Birmingham, AL. The other activities outside of work and home that share my time are hunting, functions at Bethel Baptist Church, hunting, fishing, serving on the board for the Baldwin County Strawberry Festival, hunting, training with weights to stay fit for hunting, raising funds for the Women’s Care Medical Center (formerly Save-a-Life) and (oh, did I mention?) hunting.

I am looking forward to serving as your president this coming year. v

Cover Story >>>

Cogongrass.

Managing

By Stephen Enloe, Extension Weed Specialist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Department of Agronomy and Soils; and Nancy Loewenstein, Invasive Plant Extension Specialist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University

Invasive Plants

in Natural Areas Golf

A Chinese privet thicket.

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course designers and superintendents work hard to integrate the beauty of natural areas into the overall golfing experience. Fairways and greens with a lush forest backdrop provide golfers with a sense of place and a quiet refuge from the busy world around them. Natural areas around golf courses can also provide habitat for wildlife and many native plants. Not all â&#x20AC;&#x153;greenâ&#x20AC;? in the woods is good, however, as natural areas around golf courses can also be a haven for troublesome invasive plants.

Most invasive plants are exotic and have been introduced into the United States over the last 200 years. Whether introduced accidentally or intentionally for horticulture, soil stabilization or forage-production purposes, invasive plants constitute one of the greatest threats to natural areas, second only to habitat destruction in their negative impacts. Well-known invasive plants in Alabama include kudzu, Chinese tallowtree and Chinese privet. Other species, however, are rapidly spreading throughout the state, including cogongrass, wisteria, Japanese climbing fern and Japanese stiltgrass. These species are not

Table 1. Recommended invasive-plant treatments for natural areas around golf coursesa.

Species

Method

Comments and Timing

Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense)

Foliar treatment: Use a 3% v/v solution of a glyphosate product that has a minimum 41% active ingredient.

December timing is optimal, when hardwoods are dormant. Summer timing is poor with this method.

Good coverage is critical.

Cut-stump treatment: Use a 25% v/v solution of a glyphosate product that has a minimum 41% active ingredient.

Apply solution to the entire stump top within 1 minute of cutting.

Can be done any time of year, but fall timing is optimal.

Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica)

Foliar treatment: Use a 4% v/v solution of a glyphosate product that has a minimum 41% active ingredient.

Late-summer timing is optimal, but treat new patches anytime cogongrass is green. Retreatment will be required to kill all the rhizomes.

Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata)

Foliar treatment: Use a 5% v/v solution of aminopyralid + triclopyr (Milestone VM Plus) or a 1% v/v solution of a clopyralid product.

Can be safely used under most hardwood trees except legumes such as redbud and locust. Use clopyralid under pines. Large root crowns will not be killed with one treatment.

Follow-up mechanical method: Locate and cut re-sprouting root crowns about 4 inches belowground for complete kill.

Very woody root crowns cannot be cut with a shovel and require a sharp blade for removal.

Japanese climbing fern (Lygodium japonicum)

Foliar treatment: Use a 2% v/v solution of a glyphosate product that has a minimum 41% active ingredient.

Treatment is effective in summer and fall, but to prevent fern-spore production, treat by mid-summer.

Chinese tallowtree (Triadica sebifera)

Foliar treatment: Use a 2% v/v solution of imazamox (Clearcast).

Safe to use under most hardwoods.

Use after full leaf-out, but late summer timing is optimal.

Cut-stump treatment: Use a 50% v/v solution of imazamox (Clearcast).

Apply solution to stump top within 1 minute of cutting. Can be done any time of year.

Foliar treatment: Use a 2% v/v solution of a glyphosate product that has a minimum 41% active ingredient.

Apply early to mid-summer, before flowering occurs.

Mechanical: Cut as low as possible with a mower or weed-eater.

Cut before flowering in midsummer. Earlier cutting may result in some regrowth.

Foliar treatment: Use a 5% v/v solution of aminopyralid + triclopyr (Milestone VM Plus) or a 0.5% v/v solution of clopyralid.

Treat after full leaf-out in spring through fall. Treatments are safe under most hardwoods except legumes. Use clopyralid under pines.

Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum)

Wisteria (Wisteria spp.)

a Follow the label for all herbicide treatments, including application methods, recommended surfactants and the use of personal protective equipment.

Cover Story >>> Get the Edge

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Fa ll 2 012

Chinese tallowtree.

Japanese climbing fern.

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likely to overtake intensively managed greens or fairways, but over time, they are capable of transforming natural areas into dense, smothering thickets that exclude native trees, shrubs and wildflowers.

To control invasive-plant problems, many managers reactively use mowing or cutting for a quick fix. Success is short lived, though, since most invasive plants rapidly sprout from stumps and creeping roots or rhizomes. Cut one Chinese privet shrub, and get ten in return!

To be clear, invasive-plant management is almost never a one-shot deal, and there are no silver bullets for invasive-plant control. Complete eradication is unlikely for most well-established invasive plants in natural areas, but managers can effectively control established stands and eliminate new infestations.

Good management involves a multistep approach to combat invasive-plant problems. Steps include: 1) species identification 2) assessing the extent of the problem 3) selecting the most effective control methods 4) monitoring treatment effectiveness 5) applying follow-up treatments, where necessary v

Continued <<< Cover Story

Wisteria.

Japanese stiltgrass.

Alab ama Tu rf T im es >>> Fall 2012

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Turf Talk >>>

By Dave Han, Ph.D., Auburn University

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The

best time to start preparing warm-season grasses for the next winter is actually the minute greenup starts in the spring. A healthy, deep-rooted and stress-free grass withstands cold temperature and drought stress while it’s dormant much better than thin, weak, stressed turf, and building a healthy turfgrass is something that happens throughout the entire growing season. Yet, it is during the late summer and fall that most people’s minds turn to “winterizing” their turf, or preparing it for the upcoming cold weather.

It is not just cold weather, however, that can cause problems during the winter months. Cold, dry winds can lead to turf drying out. Traffic on dormant turf can be overdone. Herbicide use on

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“dormant” turf can injure the grass because grass is often not completely dormant in Alabama, even though it may appear to be at first glance. With that in mind, here are some ways to prepare turf for the winter months.

Fertilization

I used to recommend not applying nitrogen to warm-season turf in the fall, especially after September.

Now, however, research shows that bermudagrass fertilized with small amounts of N in late fall retains color better, greens up earlier in the spring and does not have increased susceptibility to winterkill.

The emphasis here is on small amounts of N. Applying one half pound of N per 1,000 square feet per month in September and October is enough to get

the benefits. It is still a bad idea to fertilize with large amounts of N in the fall, and I still don’t recommend fall fertilization of zoysiagrass, especially in wet fall weather, because of the increase in large patch disease pressure that this causes.

For many years, researchers have studied the relationship between potassium fertilization and winter survival in turfgrass.

The bulk of this research, though, has been done with cool-season grasses, especially bentgrass, bluegrass and ryegrass. As strange as it seems to Southerners, the cool-season grasses do suffer from winterkill in cold climates.

The research definitely shows that grasses deficient in potassium have worse cold tolerance than grasses with sufficient levels of K. Of the warm-season

damage turf even more than low temperatures. Fortunately, our southeastern winters usually provide enough rain and snow that this is not usually a major problem for us.

Especially on newly established dormant sod, however, be very careful not to let the turf dry out in winter. It may look funny to water brown grass, but sometimes it is necessary. Then again, be careful not to overwater. Some of the worst winterkill I have ever seen has occurred on turf that was overwatered to the point of saturation, right before a period of cold weather that caused extensive freezing damage.

Winter weed control

turfgrasses, bermudagrass and zoysiagrass have been studied the most. Centipede and St. Augustinegrass are thought to behave similarly.

However, there is little evidence that applying massive amounts of potassium beyond sufficiency does any additional good. Routine potash fertilization in the fall may not be needed if a balanced approach to fertilizer is taken all season long.

The best way I know to tell whether K is sufficient is to conduct a soil test. Do this in summer, when there is still time to apply potash before winter if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needed.

Many of the worst weeds in the winter on dormant warm-season grasses are annual plants. The best way to control annual plants is to use a preemergence herbicide to kill their seeds as they germinate.

And, of course, a preemergence herbicide must be applied before the seeds start to germinate.

In Alabama, August and September is the time to spray a preemergence herbicide for winter weeds like henbit, annual bluegrass, lawn burweed and chickweed. Those plants will be germinating soon, so get your protective barrier down now.

Since winter weeds will probably continue to germinate for longer

than the effective life of the preemergence herbicide in the soil, a repeat application about six to eight weeks after the initial one is often needed. Consult the label for the herbicide you are using for the exact rates and timings. If there is an especially long, warm fall, with a late first frost, a third application may even be needed in early December or January. Also, be aware that more seeds could germinate during a warm spell any time of winter.

Many turf managers use nonselective herbicides (such as Roundup or other products containing glyphosate) to control winter weeds in dormant turf. This can be a cheap and effective way to deal with a wide variety of weeds.

But be careful when doing this.

Remember that dormant-appearing grass isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always completely dormant and that any herbicide that falls onto green stems or other green tissue hidden beneath the canopy can and will be absorbed by the grass.

Do not over-apply herbicides on dormant turf. One way to get in trouble quickly is to spot spray heavily. Resist the temptation to linger over a weed when spot spraying. Spray only as much as is needed to wet the weeds, to minimize runoff that can work down into the grass canopy. More is not usually better in this case. v

Even while dormant, warmseason grasses are susceptible to damage if they dry out excessively during the winter. Low humidity and cold, dry winter winds can

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Alab ama Tu rf T im es >>> Fall 2012

Water management

Turf Tips >>>

The name for armyworms is appropriate, since they seem to march across the turfgrass area, leaving behind a wake of destruction. (Photo by Rick Brandenbury, Ph.D., North Carolina State University)

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Fa ll 2 012

Fall

is when we see the highest populations of the common late summer and early fall insect pest, the fall armyworm (go figure). Fall armyworms are caterpillars, the larvae of a small, light brown moth.

The fall armyworm caterpillar reaches a maximum size of about 11/2" in length. Adult caterpillars are usually a tan color, while younger, smaller ones are often darker, almost black. The distinguishing marking on a fall armyworm is an inverted “Y” on the top of its head, leading to a line down the middle of the caterpillar’s back.

Although fall armyworms can feed on a wide variety of grasses, they are especially fond of bermudagrass, and it is in bermudagrass

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that they are the worst pest. When there is a severe infestation of fall armyworms, it is easy to see how they got their name, as the advancing front of caterpillars can literally eat every blade of grass in its path, leaving behind only defoliated stems.

Fall armyworms have multiple, overlapping generations, so especially at this time of the year, you will see eggs, small caterpillars, large caterpillars, pupae and adult moths all in the same patch of turfgrass. If you see a lot of moths flying over your turf, especially around dawn or dusk, look for armyworm egg masses. Armyworms usually lay their eggs in clusters of 50 to 100 on smooth, light-colored surfaces near turfgrasses. Metal gutters and fences, the undersides of plant leaves, and

metal light poles are favorite places for fall armyworm moths to lay eggs. The presence of birds digging up the grass while hunting for the caterpillars can also be an indicator of an armyworm infestation.

If you see damaged bermudagrass in summer or fall, always check for fall armyworms. The caterpillars most actively feed around dawn and dusk, so check for them at those times. You can use the soap-flush method to detect fall armyworms.

Put one squirt of lemon-scented dishwashing liquid in a gallon of water, and soak a small area of the turf with the soapy mixture. This will bring the armyworms to the surface in about 10–15 minutes, making it easy to see them. Of course, if the infestation is bad enough, you won’t

By Dave Han, Ph.D., Auburn University

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Alab ama Tu rf T im es >>> Fall 2012

even need to do this. Sometimes, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen the grass simply crawl late in the afternoon as an army of caterpillars moves out to feed.

Many insecticides are labeled for control of fall armyworm. If you do decide to use an insecticide, the best time to spray is late in the afternoon, when the fall armyworms are actively feeding. They tend to hang out in the soil and thatch during the heat of the day, making them much harder to reach with an insecticide.

Mowing right before spraying helps the spray to penetrate through the turf where it can contact the armyworms. Keep in mind that since there are overlapping generations, and insecticide sprays will not kill eggs or pupae, you may have to make repeat applications. v

Calender of Events >>>

October 2–4

January 13–16, 2013

January 16–18, 2013

October 24–26

January 15–19, 2013

February 6–7, 2013

2012 ATA Annual Turfgrass Conference & Tradeshow Auburn Univ. Hotel & Conf. Center Auburn, AL

Green Industry & Equipment Expo Kentucky Exposition Center Louisville, KY

ARPA Annual Conference (AL Recreation & Parks Assn.)

Renaissance Hotel Mobile, AL

STMA Annual Conference & Exhibition Daytona Beach, FL

Digital Marketplace

Gulf States Horticultural Expo Mobile Arthur R. Outlaw Convention Center Mobile, AL

Golf Industry Show San Diego Convention Center San Diego, CA

Advertiser Index >>> Andersons Golf Products www.andersonsgolfproducts.com.......................17 AGRI-AFC, LLC www.agri-afc.com................ Inside Front Cover Direct Solutions www.attdirectsolutions.com............................12 DuPont Professional Products www.proproducts.dupont.com......................... 7 Ewing Irrigation www.ewing1.com.................................................. 25 Greenville Turf & Tractor www.greenvilleturf.com................. Back Cover Harrell’s Custom Fertilizer www.harrells.com........................................... 5, 26

Scan the QR code: Download your favorite QR reader to your phone and scan the code to learn more about these companies.

Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation www.jerrypate.com..............................................21 Kesmac/Brouwer Inc. www.kesmac.com...........................................14, 15 Riebeling Farms, Inc........................................... 23 Southern Specialty Equipment www.ssequip.net............................................................7 Southern States Cooperative www.southernstates.com...................................9 Sur-Line Turf Inc.....................................................17 The Turfgrass Group................................................3 www.theturfgrassgroup.com TitanFescue.com www.smithseed.com...............................................26

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Fa ll 2 012

Trebro Manufacturing, Inc. www.trebro.com....................Inside Back Cover Tri-Est Ag Group Inc. www.hendrixanddail.com.................................... 25 Weed Man www.weedmanfranchise.com...........................26

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