Virginia Turfgrass Journal - March / April 2018

Journal of the

Virginia Turfgrass Council

March/April 2018

Orchardgrass and Sweet Vernalgrass Two Commonly Misidentified Grassy Weeds in Mid-Atlantic Lawns Plus, Highlights

from the 2018 Mid-Atlantic Turfgrass Expo (M-A-T-E)

Virginia Turfgrass Council / P.O. Box 5989 / Virginia Beach, VA 23471 / ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council | March/April 2018

16

20 16 Upcoming Event

The 2nd Annual Virginia Tech Turfgrass Research Classic & Field Day

18 Upcoming Event

Turf Field Day Plus Pesticide Recertification

19 Recent Event

Highlights from the 2nd Annual Come to the Bay

20 Cover Story

Orchardgrass and Sweet Vernalgrass: Two Commonly Misidentified Grassy Weeds in Mid-Atlantic Lawns

23 Recent Event

Highlights from the 2018 Mid-Atlantic Turfgrass Expo (M-A-T-E)

4 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal March/April 2018 www.vaturf.org

23 Departments 6 President’s Message

from Scott Woodward

8 Director’s Corner

from Tom Tracy, Ph.D.

9 Virginia Tech Turf Team 10 Editor’s Perspective

from Mark Vaughn, CGCS

12 VTF Report

from Betty B. Parker

13 News from the VTC 14 VTC Membership Application 26 Turfgrass Calendar 26 Index of Advertisers

Virginia Turfgrass Journal is the official publication of The Virginia Turfgrass Council P.O. Box 5989 Virginia Beach, VA 23471 Office: (757) 464-1004 Fax: (757) 282-2693 vaturf@verizon.net Published by Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, Tennessee 37064 (615) 790-3718 Fax: (615) 794-4524 Email: info@leadingedgecommunications.com Editor Mark Vaughn, CGCS VTC OFFICERS President Scott Woodward Woodward Turf Farms (540) 727-0020 Vice President Michael Skelton Culpeper County (540) 727-3412 Treasurer Jimmy Viars, CGM Gloucester County Public Schools (804) 815-2779 Secretary Phil Bailey, CGCS Cypress Creek Golfer’s Club (757) 357-7995 Past President Rick Owens, CGCS Laurel Hill Golf Club (703) 674-6934 VTC DIRECTORS Wes Bray Scott Caskie Tony Montgomery Jesse Pritchard, CSFM David Smith T.J. Skirsky Craig Zeigler ­ VTC ADVISORY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD Mike Goatley, Ph.D. (Chair) Shawn Askew, Ph.D. Jeffrey Derr, Ph.D. David McCall Ph.D. Executive Director/ Director of PROGRAMS Tom Tracy, Ph.D. (757) 464-1004 Virginia Turfgrass Foundation Betty Parker (757) 574-9061

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

|5

President’s Message

Working

Together – Stronger Together!

Scott Woodward 2018 President

Good Afternoon Fellow Members, First, let me say that I look forward to serving as your VTC President for the next two years and working hard to bring our organization to the next level. Now let’s get down to business!

This organization is not just about having our names on a piece of paper, nor is about the advertisement of your business. It’s about the livelihood and continued growth of what we, as farmers, and our founding fathers have worked so hard to build and maintain. We have been faced with many challenges in our industry. While we have been able to overcome some of those challenges, the time is now for us to work together, so that we can be stronger together!

My goal as the president is to strengthen the relationships between all of our different turfgrass groups, but I can’t do it alone. We need the help of every one of you. Our members need to reach out to others in our industry to help them understand the value of what this organization has to offer, such as research, training and education just to name a few.

We have worked hard to create an organization that covers almost every aspect of the turf industry, so that all have a voice within VTC, but we need more. We need help in the landscaping area–we need members, we need contributions, we need them, and, yes, they need us.

Power is in numbers and variation. The more members we have in all areas of our industry, the more successful we can become.

Before I close, I would like to thank our past President, Rick Owens, for all of his hard work and dedication. For

6 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal March/April 2018 www.vaturf.org

the past two years he, with the help of the VTC board, have mended some fences within our organization which has made the VTC stronger. It has been a privilege and honor to serve under his leadership.

Have a great and prosperous spring. Now let’s grow some grass and make some money.

Working together, stronger together!

Sincerely,

Scott Woodward 2018 VTC President

Board Members • Scott Woodward – President (Sod) • Michael Skelton – Vice President (Sports Turf) • Jimmy Viars – Treasurer (Grounds) • Phil Bailey – Secretary (Golf) • Rick Owens – Past President (Golf) • Wes Bray – Board Member (Lawn Care) • Scott Caskie – Board Member (Golf) • TJ Skirsky – Board Member (Turf Vendor) • Jesse Pritchard – Board Member (Sports Turf) • Tony Montgomery – Board Member (Golf) • David Smith – Board Member (Golf) • Craig Zeigler – Board Member (Lawn Care)

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

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Director’s Corner

Acts of

Tom Tracy, Ph.D. VTC Executive Director

kindness “I’ve

been walking on air all day,” were words written by Liz Nutter shortly after she received the VTC President’s Award and a short video from the Board of Directors in late January. For 15 years, Liz served tirelessly behind the scenes from her home in Tennessee ensuring the Virginia Turfgrass Journal met high editorial standards. She was never one to seek her own glory. Many of you reading the Journal never knew she existed or of her vital importance. But those of us on the receiving end of her gentle prodding toward excellence respected her greatly. Liz wrote those joyful words just days before she discovered her cancer had defied operations and treatments to spread throughout her body. As I reflect on the past decade and a half, I have three responses: a tear, a smile, and a motivation to act.

I grieve because a friend and a colleague is no longer on this earth. Death brings a void. Someone is missing. They are permanently gone from this life.

There truly is a “pain of friendship.” Friends are given access to a special part of our emotions. We allow them to bring us joy. And sadness.

I smile with an inward joy when I recall the happiness two acts of kindness enabled Liz, for a short time, to focus on something other than her pain and the nagging

8 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal March/April 2018 www.vaturf.org

fear that her battle with cancer would soon be lost.

Rick Owens presented her with the President’s award at the 2018 M-A-T-E. At that same event the Board of Directors worked with Eddie Coutras, owner of Leading Edge Communications, to produce a short video thanking Liz for all she had done for the VTC. Liz was unable to travel to Fredericksburg to receive these honors so Eddie accepted the award on her behalf and placed the video on-line for her to watch. These acts of kindness temporarily eased Liz’s suffering.

I gird myself for action when I recall how two acts—an award and a video—brightened Liz’s otherwise painful day. I need to constantly seek ways to brighten the lives of persons around me.

Simple words and acts can make someone’s day.

Smiling at a cashier, being kind to a server who is having an off day, and letting loved ones know of my appreciation may bring happiness to someone who is experiencing life’s hardships.

Leading Edge Communications will hire another editor to work with us. Instead of seeking to have that person fill Liz’s shoes, we will help that person craft her own pair as together we work to produce a quality publication that serves the turfgrass industry.

But we will always remember Liz with much respect and deep appreciation. c

Virginia Tech Turf Team Shawn D. Askew, Ph.D.

Virginia Tech 435 Old Glade Road Blacksburg, VA 24061 (540) 231-5807 saskew@vt.edu

Jeffrey F. Derr, Ph.D.

Virginia Tech Hampton Roads Agricultural Research Station 1444 Diamond Springs Rd. Virginia Beach, VA 23455 (757) 363-3912 jderr@vt.edu

Mike Goatley Jr., Ph.D.

Virginia Tech 420 Smyth Hall, CSES Dept.

Blacksburg, VA 24061 (540) 231-2951 goatley@vt.edu

David McCall, Ph.D.

Virginia Tech 435 Old Glade Road Blacksburg, VA 24061 (540) 231-9598 dsmccall@vt.edu

With Support from: Thomas P. Kuhar, Ph.D.

Virginia Tech Dept. of Entomology 216 Price Hall 170 Drillfield Drive Blacksburg, VA 24061 (540) 231-6129 tkuhar@vt.edu

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

|9

Editor’s Perspective

Life of

Liz

We’ve

had a death in the VTC family. A very sad one. One that hits very close to home for all of us that worked with/for her on this publication. On the evening of March 9th, the Managing Editor of this publication and many others, Liz Nutter, left us.

Weeks later, it still seems surreal to say those words. How could a person so vibrant and full of life, with so much left to give no longer be around to share her talents? We’ve all experienced the loss of friends, family, and loved ones. We know death is a part of life. We know it doesn’t discriminate.

And yet, it is somehow easier to accept

when a person is “old.” Admittedly, that goal line keeps moving for those of us who have many more years behind than in front of us, but right now in my world that is classified as above 80.

Throw in the fact that some folks (like Liz) just seem 10 years younger than they are, and it was way too early. And yet, here we find ourselves.

In the spring of 2016, Liz used up one or more of her lives with a ferocious battle against a tumor on her adrenal gland, which caused multiple problems not limited to but including her heart stopping on two occasions and total kidney shutdown. Days on life support, an amazing medical team at Vanderbilt Hospital, and a strong

10 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal January/February 2018 www.vaturf.org

Mark Vaughn, CGCS Virginia Turfgrass Journal Editor

will to live brought her back. Reading her description of the ordeal, the “Miracle” nickname given to her by one of the nurses seemed most appropriate to me. After recovering for most of 2016, the spring of 2017 brought another battle, this time with cancer. After enduring surgeries and treatments, of which the pain I cannot imagine, the outcome we were all hoping for did not happen. My last communication with her was an email on February 17th, and now it seems so inadequate.

I met Liz in January of 2005, and soon afterwards she and Tom Tracy somehow convinced me to become the Editor of this publication. As I have stated on more than one occasion, thank God that was only a title and Liz was in Tennessee with the folks at Leading Edge making all this happen.

Unlike our experiences with other magazine publishers, she was enthusiastic, creative, friendly, yet forceful enough to hold your feet to the fire when she needed to. When I went back through my emails from her there they were: subject line — need your column, review your column, we’re past the deadline, etc. I also found out very early she would give me just enough journalistic rope to have me dangling over the edge, but not enough to hang myself. Hence her enduring moniker — “The Man.” Over the years I discovered she, like all of us, had a life beyond her work. She loved her husband Roger,

her daughter Lee, her son David, her extended family of relatives, and her horses and snakes. Yes, I said snakes.

Corn snakes to be exact, supposedly because they could be bred to achieve all these magnificent colors and patterns. Her tales of feeding time and occasionally taking a bite from one of those slithering reptiles was enough to make your skin crawl. This fascination with color must have been a thing for her, because I stumbled upon another article on Google entitled “Champagne Shades,” referring to the skin color of horses which could be best determined by looking under their tail, according to author Liz Nutter. She also enlightened me on one occasion on how to “fiddle for worms,” a term despite being a Son of the South I had never heard of.

Sadly, as with most people we say we “know,” there was a lot I really didn’t know. None of my business for sure, and save for the monthly emails about the magazine, we really only had a chance to chat every other year or so at the annual VTC Conference. Yet how much more was there to this person who juggled the management of a dozen or so publications, married and raised children, and still found time for some REALLY different hobbies?

Since Liz’s passing, I’ve been trying to find a way to make something positive out of a really bad situation.

To be glad that we crossed paths on this journey from life to death we all make. It seems to me that the best way to honor her, or anyone that leaves this earth before we do is to try and emulate the best parts of them. So Liz, I’m going to try as much as my personality will allow to be smiling and upbeat when I meet others. To not just think but actually speak words of encouragement and thanks when they need it. To be honest and hold others accountable when that is also needed.

To take my profession seriously, but place it all in perspective. And to REALLY get to know and understand people, what shaped them, and made them who they are before I no longer have that chance.

Rest in peace, my good friend. c Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

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VTF Report

A New

Day

Liz

Nutter has left us.

She was our editor for The Virginia Turfgrass Journal representing Leading Edge Communications. I always cringed when I had an email from her, always prodding, begging, pushing and demanding articles for our Turfgrass journal. She did it with such sincerity and conviction of task I would never have considered letting her down. She believed in what she did.

She believed it was important and vital to the health and growth of our industry, and she believed in the people she served. She was our editor who pushed us and made us squirm until we examined ourselves and our industry. We grew and we changed and we got better.

She was the definition of a good friend.

Thank you Liz. You will be missed more than you can possibly know.

A new day has dawned for the Virginia Turfgrass Foundation. We have a new board and new ideas and President Jeff Everhart is leading a LET’S DO IT campaign that would exhaust persons half his age. Our board is young and comes to us from every aspect of the Turfgrass industry where they have already in their own way proven themselves leaders and examples of diplomacy. I am excited and delighted to see the changes they will evoke and know that without the stirring of the pot, there can be no soup!

We recognize that 30 years after penning the Articles of Incorporation and her Bylaws we need to examine the original intent and embrace changes that will not only reflect 2018, but also elicit the actions of intent to reach our goals. I am, as many in this industry, heavy hearted that Liz has lost her battle to cancer.

She has left behind a desire to care a little more, to laugh heartily despite our differences, and to pursue goals that are within the reach and heart of this industry. The Virginia Turfgrass Foundation has that character and we challenge each of you to sincerely treasure your part of the Turfgrass Industry.

Congratulations to Gil Grattan who has been appointed by our governor as our representative on the Virginia Agricultural Board. He is leading the charge for ensuring the seed law fund is being properly monitored and all those who should be contributing to this research fund are knowledgeable to its legal demands. We are energized by his tenacity and his willingness to serve. It is a new day in our little corner of the world and we plan to make the most of it.

Thank you to VTF BOARD. You are awesome. And thank you Liz for your example, your encouragement, and your friendship. c

Betty B. Parker VTF Manager

2018 Virginia Turfgrass Foundation * Jeff Everhart

President/VTF jeff.everhart@woodwardturf.com

* Jim Wilson

Vice President/VTF jwilson@Harrels.com

* Fredrick S. Biggers, CGCS

Secretary/Treasurer/VTF fbiggers@wintergreenresort.com

* Eric Frazier, CGCS

efrazier@willowoakscc.org

* Dean Whitehead, CSFM

dean.whitehead@cnu.edu

* Scott Woodward

shwturf1@aol.com

* Rick Owens

rick.owens@fairfaxcounty.gov

* Mike Skelton

mskelton@culpepercounty.gov

David McCall

dsmccall@vt.edu

Betty Parker

Manager/VTF (757) 574–9061 thevtf@gmail.com

The VTF

1625 Princess Anne Road Virginia Beach, VA 23456 *designates voting members

12 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal March/April 2018 www.vaturf.org

News from the VTC

Meet Your New 2018 VTC Leaders President Scott Woodward Woodward Turf Farms Nokesville, VA (540) 727-0020 shwturf1@aol.com

Vice President Mike Skelton Culpeper County P&R Culpeper, VA (540) 727-3412 skeltonma@msn.com

Past President Rick Owens, CGCS Laurel Hill Golf Club Lorton, VA (703) 674-6934 rick.owens@ fairfaxcounty.gov

Executive Director Tom Tracy, Ph.D. Virginia Turfgrass Council Virginia Beach, VA (757) 464-1004 vaturf@verizon.net

Directors Wes Bray Lawns & Gardens Plus Virginia Beach, VA (757) 422-2117 wemows@aol.com

T.J. Skirsky SiteOne Landscape Supply Spotsylvania, VA (540) 899-6106 tskirsky@siteone.com

Scott Caskie Meadows Farm Golf Course Henrico, VA (204) 543-3499 scaskie@outlook.com

Craig Zeigler Agronomic Lawn Management Virginia Beach, VA (757) 563-8588 sales@fertilizewithalm.com

Tony Montgomery Draper Valley Golf Club Draper, VA (540) 980-4653 tgm1978@rocketmail.com

Secretary Phil Bailey, CGCS Cypress Creek Golfer’s Club Smithfield, VA (757) 357-7995 creeksuper@gmail.com

Treasurer Jimmy Viars, CGM Gloucester County Public Schools Gloucester, VA (804) 815-2779 jimmyviars@gc.k12.va.us

VTC Advisory Members of the Board of Directors Mike Goatley, Ph.D. (chair) Virginia Tech, CSES Dept.

Blacksburg, VA (540) 231-2951 goatley@vt.edu Shawn Askew, Ph.D. Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA (540) 231-5807 saskew@vt.edu

Jeffrey Derr, Ph.D. Virginia Tech Hampton Roads Ag. Research Station Virginia Beach, VA (757) 363-3912 jderr@vt.edu David McCall, Ph.D. Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA (540) 231-9598 dsmcall@vt.edu

Jesse Pritchard, CSFM University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA (434) 981-7189 sportsturf@virginia.edu David Smith Fawn Lake Country Club Spotsylvania, VA (540) 972-9255 dsmith@fawnlakecc.com

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

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VTC Membership

Join the

Today!

Membership Benefits For ALL members include: ree pesticide recertification training at the one-day F regional seminars.

Free Certified Fertilizer Applicator training at the MidAtlantic Turfgrass Expo in January (M-A-T-E) and the Come to the Bay (February) and Come to the Valley (May) regional conferences.

Free entry to the research tour of turfgrass studies in June at the Hampton Roads AREC. Free subscription to our bi-monthly Virginia Turfgrass Journal, offering research and industry updates.

Valuable assistance on state and local legislative and bureaucratic issues. Do you know that every member of Virginia’s General Assembly receives our bi-monthly Virginia Turfgrass Journal? Several Delegates and Senators have said how much they appreciate being on our mailing list.

Monthly email of job postings.

Discounts to every one of our activities.

Join as a Group or as an Individual Individual Membership One Year — $85 Individual Membership Two Years — $150 Platinum Group Membership Membership fee of $1,250 includes: 11 to 20 members.

Send up to 100 of your employees to one of our Regional Pesticide Training Classes — AT NO COST. Year-round membership listing and link from VTC website.

Fertilizer Certification Training and Recertification Training (3A, 3B 60) at your site.

Gold Group Membership Membership fee of $800 includes: 6 to 10 members Silver Group Membership Membership fee of $400 includes: 1 to 5 members

14 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal March/April 2018 www.vaturf.org

Membership Application Complete this application form and —

OR Join/Renew online at

www.vaturf.org

• Mail it to the address at the bottom of this page.

• Or fax it to 757-282-2693

Member Information First Name____________________________________________ Last Name___________________________________________ Company or Organization____________________________________________________________________________________ Address____________________________________________________________________________________________________ City__________________________________________________ State__________ Zip____________________________________ Phone________________________________________________ Fax__________________________________________________ E-Mail_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Payment Select One Platinum Group Membership (11 or more members + Year-round listing and link from VTC website)...................$1,250 Gold Group Membership (6 – 10 members)...................................................................................................................$800 Silver Group Membership (1 – 5 members)....................................................................................................................$400 Individual for Two Years...................................................................................................................................................$150 Individual for One Year....................................................................................................................................................$85

Pay by Check or by Credit Card Please check appropriate box:

Check

AMEX

VISA

MasterCard

Card #:_______________________________________________ Print Cardholder Name:_______________________________ Security Code:_________________________________________ Expiration Date:_ _____________________________________ Dues may be deductible as a business expense but not as a charitable contribution. Based on 2013 activity, one percent (1%) of dues are not deductible in accordance with IRS Section 6033.

Virginia Turfgrass Council P.O. Box 5989 Virginia Beach, VA 23471 • Phone: 757-464-1004 • Fax: 757-282-2693 Email: vaturf@verizon.net • Web: www.vaturf.org Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

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Upcoming Event

The 2nd Annual Virginia Tech Turfgrass Research Classic & Field Day Building on our inaugural success May 21, 2018 • Independence Golf Club • Midlothian, VA

By David McCall, Ph.D., Virginia Tech

M

ost of you have likely heard about the success of our inaugural Turf Research Classic and Field Day that was held on May 22, 2017, at the Country Club of Virginia’s James River and Tuckahoe Creek courses.

The event was a tremendous success through a collaboration between the Virginia Turfgrass Council, the Virginia Golf Course Superintendents Association, and the Virginia Tech Turf Team. Through this event, we were

able to raise almost $48,000, as an industry, to support our research and Extension efforts. Just as importantly, we were able to bring together 192 turfgrass professionals for a fun day of education and networking. The 2nd Annual VT TRC & FD will be held on May 21, 2018, at the Independence Golf Club.

You, as an industry, have stepped up in a huge way to show your support of the Virginia Tech Turf program.

Our friends from Landscape Supply and Harrell’s stepped to the plate as Hokie Patrons, each pledging $5,000 to support our programs. Our next

16 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal March/April 2018 www.vaturf.org

tier of sponsorship was the Dr. John Shoulders Patron, named on behalf of our founding father of the VT Turf program. Virginia Green and BASF supported our program by pledging $4,000 each as Shoulders Patrons.

Other Patron sponsors, named in recognition of former VT Turf professors, pledging $3,000 included: Bayer, Buy Sod, Green Golf & Turf, Meadowspring Turf Farm & Home Field Fertilizer, PBI Gordon, Subair/Turfbreeze, and Virginia Sand & Stone. Those that contributed $2,000 to supporting research at Virginia Tech included: Innovative Turf Services, Lebanon Turf, Luck

Ecosystems, Syngenta, Smith Turf & Irrigation, TESCO, and Toro. Numerous other businesses and individuals supported the event by sponsoring teams and through hole sponsorship.

Raising money for a worthy cause is great, but it only matters if there is a fruitful outcome. I am happy to say that last year’s fundraiser produced plentiful fruit almost immediately. We began establishing a new warm-season research site at the Independence Golf Club approximately 12 hours after we closed the doors at the Country Club of Virginia. A substantial portion of funds were used to pay for material, supplies, shipping, and covers needed to establish ten ultradwarf bermudagrass and ultra-fine zoysiagrass putting greens. This is a small budget for such a project, so we have also relied on industry supporters who have seen the importance of such a facility. We would like to thank Landscape Supply, Luck Ecosystem, and Xton for providing substantial support in the name of research. Sod and sprig material to establish research putting greens was generously donated by: Bladerunner Farms, Buy Sod, Champion Turf Farms, Pike Creek Turf, Sod Solutions, University of Florida, and University of Georgia. We also appreciate the heavy lifting and guidance from Dan

Taylor and his staff at Independence, and the generosity of owner, Giff Breed, for allowing this opportunity.

The greens are now established and we were able to use the remaining funds for another exciting opportunity.

Jordan Booth, CGCS, joined the VT Turf Team as a special Research Associate in January, just in time for M.A.T.E. Jordan will serve turf managers of the Commonwealth through coordinating research and Extension efforts in Central Virginia. Because of our collaboration with the Independence Golf Club, Jordan will work closely with Dan Taylor and the VT Turf Team on a variety of projects related to golf and athletic field management. We have hit the ground running by establishing several important research projects.

The two-hour 2018 Field Day will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Independence Golf Club’s Short Course and Practice Facility. At noon, there will be a shotgun start to the Research Classic on the championship course.

The winter of 2017-2018 was very challenging for managing warm-season grasses. The turf team will discuss preliminary studies that address some of these challenges, plus give updates on other established research projects, such as “bluemuda” playing surfaces

and site-specific management of spring dead spot. We are also pleased to announce that some of our colleagues from NCSU will join us to give their perspective on turf diagnostics and pesticide movement through soils. The Field Day is free to attend, even if you are not participating in the Research Classic later in the day.

On a personal note, writing this article is more difficult than normal.

It is not because of a lack of positive things to say about last year’s Turf Research Classic & Field Day, or our upcoming event. Rather, this is the first time in my fifteen years of writing articles for the Virginia Turfgrass Journal that I will not send to our dear friend, Liz Nutter, for her editing and positive feedback.

As you have likely heard and have read in our editorial messages, Liz recently lost her battle with cancer.

She was a great friend and colleague that will be sorely missed. There are few people who have the uncanny ability to always put a smile on your face and motivate you to do better.

Liz always had that effect on me, sometimes even through a simple two- to three-sentence email or twominute phone call. I, like so many, will miss talking with Liz about family, friends, and even growing grass. c Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

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Upcoming Event

Turf Field Day plus

Pesticide Recertification Tuesday, June 26 Virginia Tech

Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center 1444 Diamond Springs Road • Virginia Beach, VA 23455

By Jeff Derr, Ph.D., Virginia Tech Virginia Tech in conjunction with the Virginia Turfgrass Council will be hosting a turf field day on June 26, 2018 at the research station in Virginia Beach. Pesticide recertification credits will also be available for categories 3A, 3B, 5A, 6, 10, and 60. For additional information on the tour contact Jeffrey Derr, Virginia Tech, at (757) 363–3912, email jderr@vt.edu, or for preregistration information Tom Tracy, VTC, at (757) 464–1004, email virginiaturf@gmail.com.

Preregistration information can also be found at the events page of the VTC website http://www.vaturf.org. Please preregister so we have an accurate count for lunch.

Please help by preregistering.

The trials will be informative for golf course superintendents, sports turf managers, lawn care professionals, parks and recreation employees, extension personnel, and others in the turf industry.

Turf Trials that will be shown include: •P reemergence and postemergence control of grasses, sedges, and broadleaf weeds • Establishing cool-season turf in spring • Variety

trials for tall fescue, St. Augustine, seashore paspalum, and Kentucky bluegrass • Drought tolerance in turfgrass cultivars

18 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal March/April 2018 www.vaturf.org

Schedule 7:30 a.m. — 8:00 a.m.

Registration for Pesticide Recertification Class and Tour 8:00 a.m. — Noon Field Tour of Turf Plots and Pesticide Recertification Noon — 1:00 p.m.

Lunch 1:00 p.m. — 5:00 p.m.

Pesticide Recertification Class resumes

Cost

(includes lunch)

VTC Members All Events Free Nonmembers $25.00 for the tour or $60 for the day.

J oin the VTC and attend for $85.00

Highlights from the 2nd Annual

Recent Event

Come to The Bay Presented by Land & Coates • Virginia Beach Resort Hotel and Conference Center

The

2nd annual Come to the Bay conference was held at the end of February. Once again, we met in Virginia Beach at the Resort Hotel & Conference Center which is located at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. The General Session began with an overview of the Bay’s health by Richard Batiuk of the Environmental Protection Agency and James Davis Martin of Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality. Their “thank you” to our industry for steps taken to restore the Bay set the tone. They were followed by Corinne Stephens of The Alliance for Chesapeake Bay. Ms. Stephens spoke on developing partnerships between industry and environmental groups.

After the General Session, participants divided into two tracks: one for arborists and one titled “Keeping Fertilizers Out of Virginia’s Waters.”

The latter was moderated by Dr. Cynthia Smith of George Mason University and MowCow Lawn & Landscape. The fertilizer track included speakers from Virginia Tech, various industries, Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality, the Elizabeth River Project, and the City of Virginia Beach. The second day of the conference focused on pesticide and fertilizer certification and recertification.

Make plans to attend next year. It is scheduled to be held in Virginia Beach on February 26th and 27th. c

James Davis Martin

Richard Batiuk

Corinne Stephens

Cynthia Smith

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

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Cover Story

Orchardgrass and Sweet Vernalgrass

Two Commonly Misidentified Grassy Weeds in Mid-Atlantic Lawns

By Shawn Askew, Ph.D. and Mike Goatley, Jr., Ph.D.

O

rchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata) is a very common, coolseason, perennial grassy weed in Mid-Atlantic lawns. While experienced turfgrass managers have been successfully identifying this species in lawns for years, many homeowners misidentify it as goosegrass (Eleusine indica) because of its circular, compressed, clumpy growth habit. The other grassy weed that is rapidly

expanding in its importance in Virginia turf because of its invasive nature is sweet vernalgrass (Anthoxanthum odoratum). The appearance of these grasses as weeds in the lawn is often attributed to their seed being contaminants in cool-season seed mixtures, or as the remnants of previous pasture sites that have now been developed into managed turfs.

Orchardgrass has a flat stem with

20 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal March/April 2018 www.vaturf.org

wide leaf blades and a characteristic blue-green color (Figure 1). It has a distinct prostrate and clumpy growth habit. While most grasses have leaves that unroll as they grow, like a corn plant, orchardgrass belongs to a smaller group of grasses whose leaves unfold as they grow. Other examples of grasses with leaves folded in the bud include annual bluegrass and goosegrass. One way to confirm orchardgrass

Cover Story continued

identification is to check for the occurrence of a large membranous (plastic-like) ligule at the juncture of the leaf blade and the sheath. This ligule is so wide, it often splits when the leaf blade is bent back to reveal it (Figure 2); a characteristic similar to goosegrass. And when orchardgrass is in flower, it has a distinctive seedhead featuring tufts of puffy spikelets with a characteristic triangle-shape (Figure 3).

So, while this is a relatively straightforward grass to identify, it is anything but easy when it comes to selective orchardgrass control. There are no currently labeled pesticides for selective control of orchardgrass in lawn turf.

The only legal option is to spot treat with a non-selective herbicide such as glyphosate, or hand dig the clump.

The glyphosate treatment will cause less damage to desirable lawn grasses if directed dabbing or wiping treatments are made, rather than using a pump sprayer. A method we have recommended in the past for spot, annual bluegrass control in bentgrass putting greens can apply here as well.

Simply dab plants with a foam-tipped stick soaked with a 5% glyphosate (Roundup) solution or use the “glovein-glove� method where an absorbent cotton glove is placed over a chemicalresistant glove and undesirable weeds are wiped by hand after wetting the absorbent glove with 5% glyphosate solution. In research studies, selective control of orchardgrass in tall fescue has been obtained with fluazifop (Ornamec). Ornamec can be used in tall fescue lawns to selectively control bermudagrass or Paspalum sp., but currently can’t be used to target orchardgrass. The manufacturer has suggested that additional weeds, like orchardgrass, may soon be added to the label, but for now we wait for this particular use to be added to the label.

We caution the end users to always be sure to read and follow label directions on any pesticide and remember that the label is the law.

Sweet vernalgrass is the cool-season grass in Figure 4. It has spike-like seedheads with long awns, or points, projecting from the lower lemma that partially covers the seed. This is a short

Figure 1. Wide blue-green leaf blades and a clumpy, circular growth habit are important identification features of orchardgrass.

Figure 2. Orchardgrass has flat stems with a wide, membranous ligule.

Figure 3. The distinct, tufted triangular seedhead of orchardgrass is an important identification characteristic.

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

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Figure 4. The seedhead of sweet vernalgrass featuring flower spikes up to 2 inches long, covered with oblong-shaped and very crowded spikelets of seed with long needle-like awns covered in thread-like, white stigmas. The seedheads form in midlate spring in the mid-Atlantic. White, curly stigmas disappear in early summer.

Figure 5. Sweet vernalgrass seedheads turn golden brown in fall.

Figure 6. Sweet vernalgrass has a tall, pointed, membranous ligule surrounded by a tuft of hairs.

22 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal March/April 2018 www.vaturf.org

lived perennial grass. It is an adaptable grass species around Virginia in that it doesn’t seem to mind where it grows in terms of soil conditions, though it does tend to thrive in more acidic soils.

The inflorescence seen in Figure 4 shows the characteristic white stigmas (female floral parts) that look like reflective, wavy strands of thread, or spider web, present during spring.

Later on in its maturation, just like with orchardgrass, these flowers will dry to a distinct light tan color (Figure 5). The open collar on the leaf sheath and the tall, pointed membranous ligule (Figure 5) are other important identification features. While it is not clear from these photos, another characteristic to look for to confirm sweet vernalgrass are sparse long hairs on the blade and sheath. Perhaps one of the best identifying features of all for this grass is its smell. As you might guess based on both its common and scientific names, it has a noticeable sweet smell when clipped. It releases a compound called coumarin. The smell of freshly mown turf is quite aromatic and gets even more pronounced as clippings dry. The scent is often described as smelling like vanilla.

Whereas there really was no selective chemical control for orchardgrass, there are selective herbicides available for sweet vernalgrass control in coolseason turfgrasses. Use Tenacity (mesotrione) at 4 – 8 fl oz/A applied with surfactant (0.25% v/v). Apply twice at three week intervals and you should bring sweet vernalgrass under control.

Research on selective orchardgrass control continues at Virginia Tech and most turfgrass managers are quite adept in identifying this grass. Nonselective herbicide spot spraying remains a primary control method.

While it is difficult to control, orchardgrass is not considered to be invasive.

However, sweet vernalgrass is a relative newcomer to the world of Virginia lawn weeds and it is capable of spreading rapidly by way of prolific seed production. It is important to successfully identify and control this weedy grass over the spring and early summer months in order to slow its spread around the state. c

Recent Event

Highlights from the 2018

Mid-Atlantic Turf Expo (M-A-T-E)

January 29 – February 1

Landscape Supply’s Kevin Connelly (L) and Patrick Connelly (R) congratulate VA Tech MS Candidate Jordan Booth on his 2nd place finish in the LSI-W.S. Connelly and Sons Graduate Student Contest.

Landscape Supply’s Kevin Connelly (L) and Patrick Connelly (R) congratulate VA Tech Ph.D. Candidate John Brewer as winner of the LSI-W.S. Connelly and Sons Graduate Student Contest.

Phil Bailey, a new Board Member.

Phil is superintendent at Cypress Creek Golfer’s Club.

Danny Allen of Camden Country Club.

Danny was the Fellowship Breakfast speaker (sponsored by Trinity Turf)

Betty Parker, VTF Manager Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

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Thanks to Our Exhibitors A-1 Aerification LLC Aerio LLC Audubon International Ballard Sports BASF Belchim/Engage Agro USA Brandt Consolidated Bulldog Field Equipment Businesses for the Bay Buy Sod Capitol Sports Fields Central Sod Farms Chesapeake Valley Seed Collins Wharf Sod Crop Production Svcs Dow AgroSciences Dura Edge Finch Services/ Revels Turf & Tractor First Products Inc Fisher & Son FMC Professional Solutions

Foley Mfg Co Fredericksburg Regional Tourism Partnership GCSAA Genesis Growing Solutions LLC Harmon Turf Services H&H Farm Machine Inc Harper Industries Helena Chemical Herod Seed Innovative Turf Services Jacobsen Latitude 36 / NorthBridge Bermudagrass – Sod Solutions Landscape Supply Luck Ecosystems Maryland Turfgrass Council McGill Premium Compost Mid-Atlantic Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Mid-Atlantic Stihl

Nedia Enterprises Newsom Seed Oakwood Sod PBI Gordon Pennington Seed – Pro Turf Plant Food Company RainBird Landscape RainBird Golf Reddick Equipment Company of NC, LLC Revels Turf & Tractor/ Finch Services RLCA SePro Corporation SiteOne Landscape Supply Smith Turf & Irrigation Solitude Lake Management Southern States Cooperative STI Pre-Owned Equipment STI Turf Care Equipment Synagro Syngenta

Thanks to Our Generous 2018 Conference Sponsors

Platinum

Belchim Group/Engage Agro Chesapeake Valley Seed Nufarm Pennington Sod Solutions Weed Man

wednesday Lunch

Harrells

Fellowship Breakfast

Trinity Turf, Inc.

24 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal March/April 2018 www.vaturf.org

TETAC The Coastal Group The Thrasher Group Triangle Turf & Ornamental Trinity Turf TruTurf Rollers Ltd Turf Equipment & Supply Company Turf & Garden Turf Pride Equipment Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance Turfline VA Dept of Conservation & Recreation VDACS: Office of Pest Services Vereens Turf Virginia Sand and Stone Virginia Turfgrass Foundation WeedMan Woodward Turf Farms

Digital Marketplace •

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

Cover Story continued

Advertisers Index Agronomic Lawn Management.............. 25 www.FertilizerWithALM.com

Collins Wharf Sod Farm.......................... 13 www.collinswharfsod.com

Alliance Material Handling, Inc............... 9 www.alliancemat.com

Daniel Sod Farms..................................... 25 www.danielsodfarms.com

Brouwer Kesmac............Inside Back Cover www.kesmac.com

East Coast Sod & Seed............................. 25 www.eastcoastsod.com

Buy Sod....................................................... 3 www.buysod.com

Ernst Conservation Seeds.......................... 5 www.ernstseed.com

Carolina Green Corp............................... 25 www.cgcfields.com

Home Field Fertilizer / Meadowspring Turf Farm....................... 26 www.meadowspringturf.com

Central Sod Farms of Maryland, Inc........ 9 www.centralsodmd.com Chesapeake Valley Seed.......................... 14 www.chesapeakevalleyseed.com

Luck Ecosystems........................................ 5 www.luckstone.com

Mid-Atlantic STIHL, Inc................... Inside Front Cover www.stihldealers.com Progressive Turf Equipment, Inc.............. 7 www.progressiveturfequip.com Smith Seed Services................................... 9 www.smithseed.com Smith Turf & Irrigation............ Back Cover www.smithturf.com The Cutting Edge of VA.......................... 11 www.tce-va.com Virginia Sand & Stone............................... 7 www.virginiasand.com

McGill Premium Compost...................... 25 www.mcgillsoilbuilder.com

Turfgrass Calendar May 8–9 VTC Come to the Valley

Frontier Culture Museum Staunton, VA

May 21 Virginia Tech Turfgrass Research Classic and Field Day

Independence Golf Club Midlothian, VA

June 19 Pesticide Recertification

Northampton Community Center Hampton, VA

June 26 Virginia Tech Field Day

Hampton Roads AREC Virginia Beach, VA

August 14 Lawn and Landscape Field Day Virginia Turfgrass Council (VTC) 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, Virginia Turfgrass Journal, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or VTC members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in this, past or subsequent issues of this bimonthly publication. Copyright ©2018 by the Virginia Turfgrass Council. Virginia Turfgrass Journal is published bimonthly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of VTC. POSTMASTER: Send change of address notification to VTC, P.O. Box 5989, Virginia Beach, VA 23471. Postage guaranteed. Third-class postage is paid at Nashville, TN. Printed in the U.S.A. Reprints and Submissions: Virginia Turfgrass Journal allows reprinting of material published here.

Permission requests should be directed to VTC. 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 insertions, please contact Leading Edge Communications, LLC, 206 Bridge Street, Franklin, TN 37068-0142, (615) 790-3718, Fax (615) 794-4524. Deadlines are the first of the month prior to the following month’s publication. (Example: August 1 for the September issue.)

26 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal March/April 2018 www.vaturf.org

Virginia Tech Campus Blacksburg, VA

January 28 – 31, 2019 M-A-T-E: Mid-Atlantic Turfgrass Expo

Fredericksburg, VA