MTC Turf News - Spring 2017

Spring 2017

Turfgrass Cultivar Recommendations

for Certified Sod and Seed Mixtures in Maryland OPEI Urges Smarter Spring Landscaping Choices Plus, Highlights from the Mid-Atlantic Turfgrass Expo

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contents • Spring 2017 12 Cover Story

16 Landscaper’s Corner

Departments

2016–2017 Turfgrass Cultivar Recommendations for Certified Sod and Seed Mixtures in Maryland

OPEI Urges Smarter Spring Landscaping Choices

6 President’s Message

10 News from MTC

7 MTC Membership Application

23 Calendar of Events

19 Recent Event Plus, Highlights from the Mid-Atlantic Turfgrass Expo, January 30 – February 2

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MTC Turf News

8 From the MTC Executive Director

23 Index of Advertisers

President’s Message

We’re Starting the Year Strong!

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ello, Maryland’s fellow turfgrass professionals! My name is Jamie Roell (pronounced like “Noel” but with a R). I am responsible for maintaining and conditioning the athletic fields for the Anne Arundel County Parks and Recreation Department. As of the election of MTC officers and the board of directors at our recent Annual Meeting, which took place at the M-A-T-E Conference on January 31, I have the pleasure and responsibility of serving as the president of our MTC for the next two years.

I am fortunate to have most of the members of the board of directors serving another year, with the addition of Ryan Howard, superintendent at Winter’s Run Golf Course, and Carol Dubs, a CPA who will be watching over our finances, finally giving Cheryl Gualtney a break after 40+ years.

Your officers for this year include the expertise of: • Geoffrey Rinehart, National Turf Federation, as vice president.

• Cheryl Gualtney, continuing to serve as secretary for yet another year.

• Carol Dubs, bringing her expertise as treasurer.

• Bill Warpinski, Central Sod, as immediate past president, will continue to provide a guiding hand, steering me in the right direction.

Your directors, who will be offering their guidance for the next one to three years, include: • Kim Bohn, Newsom Seed, 1 year • Clifton Cullison, PD&E at Naval Academy, 1 year • Ben Ellis, The Courses at Andrews, 1 year • Doug Lechlider, Laytonsville Landscaping Sod Farm, 2 years • Dave Nehila, Genesis Turfgrass, 2 years • Les Phelps, Les Phelps Lawn Care, 2 years • Lester Dubs, (past president) Larchwood Landscaping, 3 years • Ryan Howard, Winters Run Golf Course, 3 years • Chuck Wilkes, Pennington Seed, 3 years Rounding out our group working for you and the betterment of turfgrass in Maryland, we have the following advisors: • Dr. Tom Turner, University of MD • Dr. Mark Carroll, University of MD • Dr. Joe Roberts, University of MD • Dr. Kevin Mathias, IAA (retiring July 1) Another group of experts that has just formed is the Maryland Sports Turf Managers Association (MSTMA). The initial meeting earlier this year found over 200 attendees from across the area. We look forward to working with them and including them in the MTC. As you can see, the MTC has the diversity and expertise to assist with any problems or issues that may arise dealing with turfgrass. Additionally, we are here to help you with any turfgrass training or education needs you may have. So, if we can help or if you would like to serve on the board, please just give any of us a call or drop us a note.

Together, we can continue to make Maryland turfgrass the best it can be!

Jamie Roell

2017–2018 MTC President 6

MTC Turf News

MARYLAND TURFGRASS COUNCIL 303 S. Talbot St. #389 St. Michaels, MD 21663 ExecDir@MDTurfCouncil.com www.mdturfcouncil.org MTC Turf News is published quarterly for the MTC by: Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge St. Franklin, TN 37064 615-790-3718 (phone) 615-794-4524 (fax) info@leadingedge communications.com

2017 Board of Directors PRESIDENT Jamie Roell Anne Arundel County Recreation & Parks Millersville, MD Office: 410-222-6250 Cell: 443-370-2582 rproel09@aacounty.org

VICE PRESIDENT Geoffrey Rinehart National Turf Federation Beltsville, MD Office: 202-245-5956 Cell: 253-592-3528 geoffrey.rhinehart@ ars.usda.gov

SECRETARY Cheryl A. Gaultney Churchville, MD Home: 410-734-0650 Cell: 410-322-8275 sandqueen10@aol.com

TREASURER Carol Dubs Larchwood Landscape Co. Pasadena, MD ldubs@verizon.net

PAST PRESIDENT Bill Warpinski Central Sod Farms Centreville, MD Office: 800-866-1387 Cell: 410-320-7791 billw@centralsodmd.com

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Vernon W. Cooper 303 S. Talbot St., #389 St. Michaels, MD 21663 Cell: 443-742-6618 Office: 410-745-9643 Fax: 410-745-8867 ExecDir@ MDTurfCouncil.com

ONE-YEAR DIRECTORS Kimberly Bohn Newsom Seed Fulton, MO Cell: 443-875-5533 kimberly@newsom seed.com Clifton Cullison PD&E, LLC Stevensville, MD Cell: 410-428-4188 cullisonclifton@gmail.com Ben Ellis The Courses at Andrews Joint Base Andrews, MD Cell: 571-340-0122 benjamin.ellis@ aafbgc.com

TWO-YEAR DIRECTORS Doug Lechlider Laytonsville Landscaping Laytonsville, MD Cell: 240-372-2788 doug@laytonsville landscaping.com Dave Nehila Genesis Turfgrass Fallston, MD Cell: 410-404-0112 dave@genesis turfgrassinc.com Les Phelps Les Phelps Lawn Care Linthicum, MD Cell: 443-623-5472 phelpslawncare@ yahoo.com

THREE-YEAR DIRECTORS Lester Dubs Larchwood Landscape Co. Pasadena, MD Cell: 443-623-1745 ldubs@verizon.net Ryan Howard Winters Run Golf Course Bel Air, MD Cell: 610-334-3541 rhoward@wintersrun.com Chuck Wilkes Pennington Seed Laurel, MD Cell: 240-319-0043 cwilkes@pennington seed.com

MTC Membership Application _____________________________________________________________________ Name _____________________________________________________________________ Mailing Address (where you want MTC Turf News delivered) _____________________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip Code _____________________________________________________________________ Company Name _____________________________________________________________________ Company Address (if different from above) _____________________________________________________________________ Company City, State, Zip Code _____________________________________________________________________ Email Address _____________________________________________________________________ Business Phone Cell Phone Additional Company Members: Please attach a listing of additional members.

Detach and Send to: Maryland Turfgrass Council P.O. Box 389 • St. Michaels, MD 21663

___ ___ ___ ___

Individual Member.......................................................$50 Student/Educator/Retiree..............................................$15 Master Gardener/ Non-Profit Volunteer Member........$25 Public Agency (1 to 10 employees)...........................*$150 Each additional employee.............................................$15 ___ Business (circle one):

(1 to 5 employees)*..................................... $175 (Bronze)

(6 to 10 employees)*......................................$350 (Silver)

(11 to 15 employees)*.................................... $500 (Gold)

(16 to 20 employees)*............................ $1000 (Platinum)

(21+ employees)*..................................$1,500 (Palladium) * Submit employee names for membership cards to the MTC Executive Director.

Amount Included $______________________________________ ___ Check made to MTC ___ Credit Card (MC or Visa) ______________________________________________________ Name as it appears on credit card ______________________________________________________ Address where card is billed ______________________________________________________ Card Number ______________________________________________________ Exp. Date 3-Digit Security Code (on back)

Spring 2017

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From the MTC Executive Director

“Membership Has Its Privileges!”

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hat quote has been around for quite a while, but it has never been truer than when you join the MTC. Let’s take just a few moments to reflect on what MTC membership does for you.

Discounts at the Annual Mid-Atlantic Turfgrass Expo (M-A-T-E) For all those who joined us in Fredericksburg, VA, at the end of January, you already know about the excellent education program that was created by all the turfgrass researchers at both the University of Maryland and Virginia Tech. To Dr. Tom Turner and Dr. Mike Goatley for taking the lead once again, thank you! To all the exhibitors willing to pay to bring their equipment, wares and personnel to come out to see you and support the industry, thank you! To the entire volunteer M-A-T-E Committee that made sure everything ran smoothly and immediately assisted with any small issue that arose, thank you! And where would we be without the great job by Tom Tracy (executive director of the Virginia Turfgrass Council) coordinating

everything and the endless efforts by Tom’s wife and her crew with both preregistration and manning the registration desk through the conference — Thank You! And especially, thank you to the MTC members who made the trip to Fredericksburg to attend the conference! Without YOU, there is no need for the conference!

I know that traveling to Fredericksburg seems to be overwhelming to some, and may be impossible due to “out-ofstate” travel restrictions for others, but the additional knowledge, camaraderie and contacts far outweigh that extra hour of driving. And I promise that parking is a whole lot easier than what we used to have in Baltimore, College Park and any other place we have held our conference since 1976. We have not been able to find a place in Maryland with the facilities for both education and a tradeshow without having to charge so much money to attend that only President Trump and his Billionaire Cabinet could attend. So, we are looking at other options, such as maybe renting buses or having buses sponsored by our vendors. If you have any ideas, please let us know.

The outcome of the first two years of M-A-T-E resulted in nearly $20,000 being donated directly each to the turf programs at the University of Maryland and Virginia Tech for research!

This is only because of you! All monies, after expenses, go directly to turfgrass research.

M-A-T-E 2018 is January 29 through February 1. Mark your calendars now and plan to attend. Be sure to tell us what you want.

FREE Pesticide and Fertilizer Applicators License Recertification One of the privileges we are able to offer our members is Pesticide and Fertilizer Applicator License Recertifications both bundled into one day. To the best of my knowledge, we are the only group offering this, and it’s absolutely free to members. We just had one class for 65 members on March 17 and are planning to have a “procrastinators” class on June 23. We will advertise that more once the program is approved. We are looking to conduct additional classes across the state, but we need to find free or cheap facilities so we can keep the cost free. If you know of any, please let one of the MTC board members know.

FREE Summer Field Day at the University of Maryland Thanks to cooperation between the golf course superintendents, the many interested vendors and the MTC, the University of Maryland will hold its Turfgrass Field Day on Wednesday, July 12, 2017, at the research farm in College Park. You won’t want to miss this event, especially if you are interested in or the prevention of turfgrass diseases.

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MTC Turf News

Discounts at the MTC/University of Maryland Golf Tournament for Turfgrass Research while competing for the Angie Cammarota Cup This event will take place once again this year at the Queenstown Golf Course on September 27, 2017. Crabs are always the fullest and heaviest in the fall.

You maybe asking, “How can MTC do all this and still donate the profits to university research?” The answer is twofold. The first is MEMBERSHIP. It’s a big circle — we need membership to pay for the programs you need and want so that we can continue to increase our membership. Our membership numbers are up and more are coming in. THANK YOU! If you have not become a member for this year yet, there is still plenty of time. Our membership year runs February 1 to January 31, so there is never any question about membership at the January Conference.

The second part is the generosity of several of our businesses and vendors who have stepped up to be Turfgrass Educational Sponsors. These include:

Platinum Sponsors Chesapeake Valley Seed Genesis Turfgrass Landscape Supply, VA Newsom Seed

Silver Sponsors Syngenta

Bronze Sponsors

Blades of Green and B.O.G. Pest Control Harrell’s Whenever you need supplies, remember these sponsors who have stepped forward for the betterment of YOUR industry. If you would like to become a sponsor, just let us know, and we will get the forms and information to you.

Membership does have its privileges.

Don’t miss YOUR opportunity!

Vernon W. Cooper MTC Executive Director

Spring 2017

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News from MTC

Officers President Jamie Roell Anne Arundel County Recreation & Parks Millersville, MD Office: 410-222-6250 Cell: 443-370-2582 rproel09@aacounty.org

Vice President Geoffrey Rinehart National Turf Federation Beltsville, MD Office: 202-245-5956 Cell: 253-592-3528 geoffrey.rhinehart@ ars.usda.gov

Secretary Cheryl A. Gaultney Churchville, MD Cell: 410-322-8275 Home: 410-734-0650 sandqueen10@aol.com

Treasurer Carol Dubbs Larchwood Landscape Co. Pasadena, MD ldubs@verizon.net

Past President Bill Warpinski Central Sod Farms Centreville, MD Office: 800-866-1387 Cell: 410-320-7791 billw@centralsodmd.com

Executive Director Vernon W. Cooper 303 S. Talbot St., #389 St. Michaels, MD 21663 Office: 410-745-9643 Cell: 443-742-6618 Fax: 410-745-8867 ExecDir@ MDTurfCouncil.com

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MTC Turf News

MTC Leaders Meet Your

for 2017 One-Year Directors

Two-Year Directors

Three-Year Directors

Kimberly Bohn

Doug Lechlider

Lester Dubbs

Newsom Seed Fulton, MD Office: 800-553-2719 Cell: 443-875-5533 kimberly@newsomseed.com

Laytonsville Landscaping Laytonsville, MD Office: 301-253-1481 Cell: 240-372-2788 doug@laytonsville landscaping.com

Larchwood Landscape Co. Pasadena, MD Cell: 443-623-1745 ldubs@verizon.net

Clifton Cullison PD&E, LLC Stevensville, MD Cell: 410-428-4188 cullisonclifton@gmail.com

Ben Ellis The Courses at Andrews Joint Base Andrews, MD Office: 301-440-9882 Cell: 571-340-0122 benjamin.ellis@aafbgc.com

Dave Nehila Genesis Turfgrass Fallston, MD Cell: 410-404-0112 dave@genesis turfgrassinc.com

Les Phelps Phelps Lawn Care Pasadena, MD Office: 443-623-5472 phelpslawncare@yahoo.com

Ryan Howard Winters Run Golf Course Bel Air, MD Cell: 610-334-3541 rhoward@wintersrun.com

Chuck Wilkes Pennington Seed Laurel, MD Office: 800-732-3332 Cell: 240-319-0043 cwilkes@pennington seed.com

Cover Story

2016–2017

Turfgrass Cultivar

Recommendations for Certified Sod and Seed Mixtures in Maryland

By Thomas Turner, Ph.D., Turfgrass Specialist, University of Maryland

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umerous new turfgrass cultivars continue to be developed and released by turfgrass breeders. However, while many of these cultivars are adapted to the environmental conditions that prevail in other regions of the country, many are not adapted to the difficult environmental conditions that occur in the transition zone, which includes Maryland and Virginia. Thus, to identify cultivars that will perform well in this region, extensive cultivar trials are evaluated each year at the University of Maryland and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. These trials include National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) trials, as well as joint MD–VA cultivar trials.

The cultivar performance data obtained at various locations in Maryland and Virginia are reviewed annually

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in a joint meeting of university researchers and representatives of the Departments of Agriculture of both states. The use of recommended cultivars usually results in a turfgrass stand of higher quality and density, greater stress tolerance, lower nutrient requirements, less water usage and fewer pest problems. Also, the use of recommended cultivars generally has the benefits of a reduction in the need for pesticide applications, greater water infiltration, reduced water runoff and the enhancement of the environmental benefits of properly managed turfgrass.

There has been extensive interest in recent years regarding turfgrass species that have reduced nutrient requirements, especially nitrogen. The two recommended turfgrass species with the lowest nitrogen requirements are the fine fescues and zoysiagrass, while turf-type tall

fescue and bermudagrass have intermediate requirements. Although Kentucky bluegrass generally has the highest nitrogen requirements, research is currently ongoing to identify Kentucky bluegrass cultivars that provide fair quality under reduced nitrogen fertility and other maintenance inputs.

Key points •R ecommended cultivars have been evaluated for performance in Maryland and Virginia.

• Maryland certified sod must contain only recommended cultivars.

• Cultivars must also be available as certified seed to be recommended.

• Recommended cultivars generally provide better quality turf, improved ground cover and reduced runoff.

that the sod will contain cultivars that are currently recommended by researchers in Maryland and Virginia, will have been seeded in recommended percentages and will be of high quality with minimal pest problems. Listed below are the cultivar recommendations for Kentucky bluegrass, turf-type tall fescue, zoysiagrass and bermudagrass certified sod.

Cultivar notations

•T he use of recommended cultivars reduces many pest and management problems.

• Recommended cultivars often have lower fertilizer and water needs, and the need for pesticide applications should be greatly reduced.

• The use of recommended cultivars enhances the environmental benefits of turfgrass.

Maryland certified sod program The Maryland certified sod program is administered by the Maryland Department of Agriculture. Rather than naming individual cultivars, many specifications require that certified sod of a particular turfgrass species be used. Requiring certified sod in specifications guarantees

Cultivars followed by a numerical notation may be removed from these lists in future years for the following reasons: Cultivar1 — may be removed due to declining field performance relative to other cultivars.

Cultivar2 — may be removed due to declining seed quality.

Cultivar3 — may be removed because certified seed has not been tested recently by either the MD or VA seed-testing labs.

Cultivar4 — may be removed due to the lack of current testing data relative to the other cultivars. It will be removed if it is not included in the next available cultivar trial.

The recommended cultivar lists consist of two groups. “Proven” cultivars represent those that have been performing well in trials in both states over a period of at least three to five years and have had certified seed tested by the MD and/or VA Departments of Agriculture.

“Promising cultivars” have shown good performance but have been tested in Maryland or Virginia for only two years or may be difficult to fine due to limited seed availability.

Turf-Type Tall Fescue Turf-type tall fescue is the most commonly recommended species for homelawns, institutional grounds and general use areas. It is also extensively used for general-purpose athletic fields and in golf course roughs.

The following proven and promising turf-type tall fescue cultivars may be seeded individually or in blends, and they may be mixed with Kentucky bluegrass (see note below for percentages).

The addition of Kentucky bluegrass may improve sod strength as well as improve overall performance and quality without increasing management inputs.

Proven turf-type tall fescue cultivars Bladerunner II

Mustang 43

Bullseye1

Penn RK4

Catalyst

Rebel IV

Dakota

Rendition RX

Falcon V1

Speedway

Gazelle II

Spyder LS

Gold Medallion

SR 8650

Hemi

Sunset Gold

Integrity

Turbo

Justice

Xtremegreen

Promising turf-type tall fescue cultivars Amity

Leonardo

Avenger II

Maestro

Black Tail

Persuasion

Blackwater HE

Raptor III

Bloodhound

Rebounder

Cayenne

Reflection

Commander

Regenerate

Corona

Rhambler 2 SPR

Dorado

Rockwell

Doubletake

Rowdy

Embrace

Saltillo

Fantasia

Screamer LS

Fayette

Shortstop 3

Fesnova

Technique

Firebird 2

Temple

Firecracker SLS

Terrano

Firewall

Thor

4th Millennium SRP

Titanium 2LS

Golconda

Tonto

GTO

Traverse 2 SRP

Guardian 41

Trinity

Hot Rod

Wichita

Houndog 8

Xtender

Hover

Kentucky bluegrass cultivars recommended for mixing with tall fescue sod Wildhorse1 Kentucky bluegrass and all recommended Kentucky bluegrass cultivars (see below) can be mixed with turf-type tall fescue to enhance sod strength during harvesting. A maximum of 10% Kentucky bluegrass by weight may be included with tall fescue, although 5% Kentucky bluegrass is generally recommended.

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Cover Story • continued

Kentucky Bluegrass •A minimum of three proven and promising Kentucky bluegrass cultivars must be chosen.

• Each cultivar must range from a minimum of 10% to a maximum of 35% of the blend’s weight.

• No more than 35% of the blend may be composed of promising cultivars.

vars can only be obtained as sod, plugs or sprigs. Zenith may be obtained as seed(s) as well as in vegetative forms.

Thirty-five zoysiagrass cultivars are currently being evaluated at the University of Maryland in the 2013 National Turfgrass Evaluation Program zoysiagrass trial.

Proven zoysiagrasses Meyer (v)

Proven Kentucky bluegrass cultivars Aries Blue Coat

Impact4 Midnight

Blue Note

Noble

Full Back

Sudden impact

Hampton

Promising Kentucky bluegrass cultivars Aramintha

Legend

Barvette HGT

Mazama

Bluebank

Merlot

Bolt

NuChicago

Cabernet

Oasis

Endurance

Skye

Keeneland

Tall fescue cultivars recommended for mixing with Kentucky bluegrass A single cultivar or a blend of turftype tall fescue cultivars may be used and may be mixed with up to 10% of a recommended Kentucky bluegrass, although a maximum of 5% is generally preferred. The addition of Kentucky bluegrass to turf-type tall fescue generally results in an excellent turf without increasing needed management inputs.

Zoysiagrass Only three zoysiagrass cultivars are currently recommended in Maryland for certified sod production due to potential winter hardiness problems or due to a lack of availability of other cultivars.

The group listed as vegetative (v) culti-

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Zeon (v)

Zenith (s, v)

Bermudagrass Four vegetatively (v) reproduced cultivars are currently recommended for use in Maryland for certified sod production. These can be obtained only as sod, plugs or sprigs. Two cultivars that can also be seeded (s) are recommended as well. A prime characteristic in evaluating bermudagrass for use in Maryland is winter hardiness (cold tolerance).

Cultivars listed have improved winter hardiness but may exhibit some damage in extreme years, particularly under low mowing heights or if the bermudagrass was established late in the growing season. Thirty-five bermudagrass cultivars are currently being evaluated at the University of Maryland in the 2013 National Turfgrass Evaluation Program bermudagrass trial.

Proven bermudagrasses Latitude 36 (v)

Premier (v)

Northbridge (v)

Riviera (s)

Patriot (v)

Yukon (s)

Perennial Ryegrass Although perennial ryegrass is generally not recommended for home lawns due to its susceptibility to disease problems, its inclusion may be warranted with Kentucky bluegrass where erosion may be a significant problem during establishment. No more than 15% perennial ryegrass should be used in a mixture with Kentucky bluegrass, as the perennial ryegrass will predominate if seeded

at a higher rate. Perennial ryegrass germinates and becomes established much more quickly than Kentucky bluegrass.

Proven perennial ryegrass cultivars Apple GL

Line Drive GLS

Apple SGL1

Octane4

Banfield

Palmer V4

Fiesta 41

Rio Vista4

Grand Slam GLD4

Soprano

Homerun

Stellar 3 GL4

Promising perennial ryegrass cultivars Benchmark

Monsieur

Diligent

Stamina

Infusion

Thrive

Karma

Fine Fescue (100%) (For use on sites that will receive minimal management, including no irrigation or fertility).

The fine fescues include creeping red fescue, chewings fescue, hard fescue, hard-blue fescue, and sheep fescue. The hard fescues are particularly good for low-maintenances sites in Maryland.

Creeping red fescues should be considered only for shady sites and not for sunny, low-maintenance sites. The fine fescues do not have good wear tolerance and should not be mowed when weather conditions are hot and/or dry.

One or more recommended fine fescue can be selected. However, neither mixing fine fescue species nor blending cultivars has been studied extensively in MD or VA for compatibility. Limited research doesn’t indicate an advantage to either.

Proven fine fescue cultivars Beacon (H) Gotham4

(H)

Navigator II (R)

Radar (C) Spartan II4 (H) Sword (H)

(H) = hard fescue (C) = chewings fescue (R) = strong creeping red fescue •

Landscaper’s Corner

OPEI Urges Smarter

Spring

Landscaping Choices A cross the nation, many regions are finding spring is arriving ahead of schedule. As homeowners and gardeners grapple with what, when and where to plant, the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) reminds us all about the importance of making smart landscaping choices for the long term.

Mother Nature is not static, predictable or fixed. California’s environment is the prime example of this unpredictability, which spent the last few years in drought and is now receiving historic rain and snow. For most of California, their drought is over.

“California gave us the greatest lesson. It showed that regulating the landscaped environment isn’t smart,” says Kris Kiser, CEO and president of OPEI. “In a well-intentioned effort to save water, they experimented with replacing living landscapes with rocks, mulch and honest-to-God ‘plastic grass.’ Unfortunately, due to this short-term experiment, in those areas where landscaping and turfgrass were removed, they are no longer capturing and filtering rainwater or holding it on site for the trees and plants to use.”

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California state and local governments paid homeowners to replace their living landscapes, including their turfgrass, with mulch, rocks, cactus and plastic grass. California auditors later discovered that this one-size-fits-all approach was the least-effective water-saving measure. Now, in an extreme turnaround, the Golden State is dealing with torrential rains, heavy snowfall, mudslides and storm water runoff. Denuded landscapes don’t capture water or store it capably.

“As homeowners get ready to choose plants for spring, it’s imperative we learn from California’s mistakes,” he says. “If they’d seen their lawns and landscapes as an appropriate use of water and an investment in nature and home habitat, California cities could have helped save some of their dying, city canopy trees, which get watered along with yards and green space. And all those ‘droughtfriendly’ yards of nothing but mulch?

They’re washing away.”

To sum up a smarter landscape approach, Kiser says, “Plant for forever — not for short-term weather changes.”

OPEI encourages homeowners, gardeners and commercial facility managers

to keep these smart landscaping tips in mind when planting this spring: • Plant a living landscape that breathes.

It creates the oxygen we need and sequesters carbon.

• Follow the “right plant, right place” rule. Put in living trees, shrubs, grasses and flowering plants that are right for your climate zone. Once established, Mother Nature will weather climate changes.

• Remember wildlife in your planting choices. Add flowering plants to support pollinators like birds, bees and butterflies. Our yards, parks, schoolyards and other green spaces connect and form wildlife corridors.

• Plant for your lifestyle. If you have kids and pets, remember our yards are safe spaces for families, kids and pets — eliminate plants that can be toxic if eaten, and avoid plants with thorns, such as pyracanthas and barberries.

• Put in a mix of adaptive and native plants that can handle people traffic, as well as provide food and habitat for wildlife.

• Don’t overwater. Plants and trees will grow stronger and work harder,

creating deeper, vertical roots, if they need to seek water.

• Let plants go dormant in drought conditions. They will green back up when the rains come.

“Plants are smarter than we are when it comes to natural, cyclical weather events,” says Kiser. “We just need to get out of the way. Make the right plant and tree selections for your climate zone. Once established, they’ll do it on their own. They’ll spring back up when the rains return. And the rain always returns.”

Our living landscapes are imperative to human and wildlife health. They produce oxygen, sequester carbon, lower urban heat, capture and filter rainwater, prevent soil erosion and capture dust and particulates. They are urban habitat for us, our pets and nature’s wildlife.

Ours is a shared existence. A 50-foot by 50-foot square of ordinary turfgrass produces enough oxygen for a family of four, and green infrastructure protects communities from natural disasters, including flood and drought.

“Take a lesson from the California experiment. We’ve seen, firsthand, what happens when government regulates too much and forces people to change their living landscapes for short-term realities,” adds Kiser. “The health of our communities depend on us getting smarter about working with nature.

Plant for the future — our future.” •

About OPEI The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) is an international trade association representing more than 100 power equipment, engine and utility vehicle manufacturers and suppliers. OPEI is managing partner of GIE+EXPO, the industry’s annual international trade show, and the creative force behind the environmental education program, TurfMutt.com. OPEI-Canada represents members on a host of issues, including recycling, emissions and other regulatory developments across the Canadian provinces. For more information, visit www.opei.org.

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Recent Event

Highlights from the 2nd Annual

Mid-Atlantic Turfgrass Expo (M-A-T-E) January 30 – February 2

Thanks to Our Generous 2017 Conference Sponsors Platinum Barenbrug USA Chesapeake Valley Seed Jacobsen Newsom Seed Nufarm Americas Pennington Sod Solutions Weed Man

Tuesday Lunch Haifa

Fellowship Breakfast Trinity Turf, Inc.

Pesticide Recertification PBI-Gordon

Congratulations to Our Turfgrass Flag Challenge Winners Grand Prize Justin Morris

Consolation Prizes Chris Dieter Joe Donchez

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Recent Event • continued

Thanks to Our Exhibitors Air2G2 Aquarius Supply ARI Surface Solutions Ballard Sports BASF Bayer Environmental Science BioWorks Brandt Consolidated Businesses for the Bay Buy Sod, Inc. Capitol Landing Mulch Capital Sports Fields Central Sod Farms Chesapeake Valley Seed Collins Wharf Sod Colonial Construction Materials Crop Protection Services Dow AgroSciences Engage Agro USA Finch Services/Revels Turf & Tractor First Products, Inc. Fisher & Son Co. FMC Professional Solutions

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MTC Turf News

Fredericksburg Regional Tourism Partnership Garden Girls Repellents GCSAA Genesis Turfgrass GHS, Inc. Green Industry Survey Growing Solutions, LLC H&H Farm Machine, Inc. Haifa North America Harmon Turf Services Harrell’s, LLC Helena Chemical Horizon Innovative Turf Services Jacobsen Turf Kenneth Cominsky Landscape Supply Latitude 36 / NorthBridge Bermudagrass Lebanon Turf Luck Specialty Products McDonald & Sons/ McDonald Design Group McGill Premium Compost Mid-Atlantic Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Mid-Atlantic Stihl Miller Chemical & Fertilizer National Arboretum Nedia Enterprises New Virginia Tractor Newsom Seed Oakwood Sod PBI-Gordon Peebles Golf Cars Pennington Seed – Pro Turf Plant Food Company Professional Grounds Mgmt.

Society – VA Quali-Pro Rainbird Reddick Equipment Co. of NC, LLC Riverside Turf Richmond Landscape Contractors Association SePRO Corporation SiteOne Landscape Supply Smith Turf & Irrigation Smith Turf & Irrigation – Pre-Owned Equipment Solu-Cal USA Southern States

Spectrum Analytic Sports Aggregates STI Turf Care Equipment Syngenta TETAC TESCO TifTuf Turf Triangle Chemicals Trinity Turf Truck Crane Solutions Turf & Garden Turf Pride Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance Turfline VA Dept. of Conservation & Recreation VDACS: Certified Fertilizer Applicator Vereens Turf Virginia Sand & Stone Virginia Sports Turf Managers Association Virginia Turfgrass Foundation Weed Man Woodward Turf Farms

Digital Marketplace

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

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Calendar of Events

June 23 Procrastinators Combined Pesticide Applicator and Fertilizer Applicator Recertifications University of Maryland Turfgrass Research Farm College Park, MD

July 12 UMD Turfgrass Field Day University of Maryland Turfgrass Research Farm College Park, MD

Index of Advertisers

September 26–28

All States Turfgrass Consultants, LLC.......17

NRPA Congress and Expo

Alliance Material Handling, Inc....................9

(Nat. Rec. and Park Assn.)

New Orleans, LA

Brouwer Kesmac........................................5

Procrastinators Combined Pesticide Applicator and Fertilizer Applicator Recertifications University of Maryland Turfgrass Research Farm College Park, MD

July 19–22 TPI Summer Program (In conjunction with the 2017 International Turfgrass Research Conference) The Heldrich New Brunswick, NJ

July 16–18 NALP Legislative Day on the Hill (National Association of Landscape Professionals) Washington, D.C.

July 19–22 TPI Summer Program (In conjunction with the 2017 International Turfgrass Research Conference) The Heldrich New Brunswick, NJ

22

MTC Turf News

www.kesmac.com

September 27

Buy Sod............................Inside Back Cover

University of Maryland Turfgrass Research Golf Tournament Competing for the Angie Cammorata Cup

Central Sod Farms of Maryland, Inc..........21

Queenstown Harbor G.C. Queenstown, MD

Collins Wharf Sod Farm..............................8

www.buysod.com www.centralsodmd.com

Chesapeake Valley Seed...........................21 www.chesapeakevalleyseed.com www.collinswharfsod.com

CoverSports USA........................................9

October 18–20 LANDSCAPES 2017

July 12

www.alliancemat.com

(formerly the PLANET Green Industry Conference) Kentucky Epo Center Louisville, KY

October 19–20 GIE+Expo — Green Industry Equipment Expo and School of Grounds Management Kentucky Expo Center Louisville, KY

January 16–19, 2018 STMA Conference and Exhibition Fort Worth, TX

January 29 – February 1, 2018 Mid-Atlantic Turfgrass Expo Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center Fredericksburg, VA

February 3–8, 2018 Golf Industry Show Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center San Antonio, TX

www.coversports.com

Crop Production Services Professional Products...............................17 East Coast Sod & Seed.............................21 www.eastcoastsod.com

Fisher & Son Company Inc........................11 www.fisherandson.com

Leading Edge Communications.................18 www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com

Mid-Atlantic STIHL, Inc.............................15 www.stihldealers.com

Progressive Turf Equipment, Inc.................7 www.progressiveturfequip.com

Shady Oaks Turf Farm..............................21 www.shadyoaksturffarm.com

Smith Seed Services.................................21 www.smithseed.com

Summit Hall Turf Farm, Inc......... Back Cover The Turfgrass Group.... Inside Front Cover, 3 www.theturfgrassgroup.com MTC Turf News is the Maryland Turfgrass Council magazine. Subscriptions are complimentary to MTC members. The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the association, its staff, its board of directors, MTC Turf News, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or their identification as MTC members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in any issue of MTC Turf News. Copyright © 2017 by the Maryland Turfgrass Council. MTC Turf News is published quarterly. Presorted standard postage is paid at Nashville, TN. Printed in the U.S.A. Reprints and Submissions: MTC allows reprinting of material published here.

Permission requests should be directed to MTC. We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs.

Contact the managing editor for contribution information. Advertising: For advertising rates and insertions, please contact Leading Edge Communications, LLC, 206 Bridge Street, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 790-3718, Fax (615) 794-4524.