November 2017 News From Fairway Green

Check out the latest news from Fairway Green below!

Close up of Poa annua (annual bluegrass) in Bermuda

Poa Annua

Now is the time to apply a quality pre and/or post-emergent for annual grassy weeds like Poa annua in warm season turf.

Poa annua is a common winter annual grassy weed in all turf types. It is easily seen in warm season turf during the winter because the turf is brownish in color while Poa annua is green. However, most people with fescue turf do not realize they have it until late spring when the Poa annua produces tan colored seed heads.

Be Diligent About Keeping Leaves and Other Debris Off the Turf

It is important to remove and keep leaves off your turf. Severe damage will occur if leaves stay on your turf for extended periods. Damage can be quick and severe for Fescue lawns that had fall seeding or sod. It is best to blow leaves off of immature turf rather than raking. It is equally important to keep leaves off dormant warm season turf.

Fall Fescue Seed Germination is Very Slow This Year

Fescue seed is germinating slowly this fall due to the lack of regular natural rainfall. We have only had a few good rain events (as of this writing in early November) this fall making it tough for seed to germinate and develop. Regularly irrigated lawns are faring better but still a little slow. If you are not willing to or unable to water, be patient. We are seeing many lawns that have germinated and stopped developing because of the dry periods this fall. It is not uncommon to have seed germinate and develop throughout the winter and very early spring. Usually the turf has developed enough to use pre-emergence safely in late February and early March.

Adding additional seed on top of viable seed on the ground will not improve germination. Seed is extremely hardy and can lay on the ground for extended periods without losing seed vigor.

Large Patch Fungus Still a Concern on Warm Season Turf

Late September starts the Large Patch fungus season on Zoysia, Bermuda, Centipede and St. Augustine. Fairway Green is seeing more cases of this disease every year in our area. Large Patch Fungus is a damaging disease on Zoysia, Bermuda, Centipede and St. Augustine turf in the fall and early spring. This disease is similar to Brown Patch Fungus on Fescue. Large Patch Fungus needs to be controlled with two applications of fungicide in the fall and possibly two in the Spring when ground temperatures are between 50 and 70 degrees. Damage occurs before you are aware you have it and is not visible until green-up in the spring. Preventative Fungicide in the fall and early spring is the only way to control this disease.

Dormant Oil for Ornamental Trees & Shrubs

Dormant oil or otherwise known as Horticulture Insecticide Oil can generally be applied safely from now till around March. Horticultural Oils control insects by suffocation and tissue absorption. Horticulture Oils can be a good insecticide to control some of the difficult to control Scale insects. However, oils will not help control all Scale insect and eggs. Knowing your insect and proper timing is always the best way to control insect of all types.

Oils are an effective tool in controlling difficult mites and scale. However, dormant oils can cause plant injury so read and follow the label carefully.

Important Changes About Your Limestone With Micro-nutrients Application

Limestone with micronutrients is part of your regular turf maintenance program and can be applied any time of year. This product is not dependent on timing like your other scheduled services. Therefore, you may receive this application very close to a previous or upcoming application. This is a regularly scheduled application; not an additional one.