Alabama Turf Times - Fall 2014 by leadingedgepubs

Fall 2014

Fall Is a Beautiful Season, but

Leaf me

Alone! Controlling goosegrass on Bermudagrass Putting Greens

Plus, Special Inside! Sneak Peak at the

ATA Annual Turfgrass Conference & Tradeshow, October 28â&#x20AC;&#x201C;30, 2014

Fall 2014

Top Features ATA Member Spotlight — 8 Jeremy Sutton,

Montgomery Country Club

Upcoming Event — 10 ATA Annual Turfgrass

Conference & Tradeshow, October 28–30, 2014

Cover Story — Fall Is a Beautiful

Season, But Leaf Me Alone!

Turf Talk — Controlling

Goosegrass on Bermudagrass Putting Greens

Turf Tips —

26 A Valuable, New Resource

for Pesticide Applicators and the Environment

Departments 6 6 7

From the President’s Pen ATA Annual Sponsors News from ATA

30 30

Calendar of Events Advertiser Index

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www.AlTurfgrass.org 4

2015 Slate of ATA Officers/Directors

On the cover: Adam Benjamin, a maintenance crewmember at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, heads out with a trailer-mounted debris mower. Photo courtesy of James Horton, Director, Birmingham Botanical Gardens. 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 ©2014 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 >>>

AConference Super and

Tradeshow Coming Up! John Carter

2014 ATA Annual Sponsors Gold • • • • • •

ayer Environmental Science B Beard Equipment Company Greenville Turf & Tractor Golf Ventures, Inc. Harrell’s, Inc. Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation

Silver • • • •

AT — Direct Solutions A Ewing John Deere Landscapes Syngenta T & O Products

Bronze

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• • • • • • • •

AGRI-AFC, LLC Agromax Aquatrols BASF Humphries Turf Supply PBI/Gordon Southern States Turf Sur-Line Turf

I write this article, I am wrapping up all my presidential duties. We are putting the finishing touches on our last event of the year, the Annual ATA Turfgrass Conference and Tradeshow. We have selected a slate of officers and directors to lead our association into the next year. And I’m writing my last article as your president. I feel a heartfelt appreciation toward the ATA membership for allowing me to serve as your president this year. I was taught that you should commit to your work, and you will reap the rewards. I am honored to have served the Alabama Turfgrass Association and can truly say it has brought me much joy and many rewards. I challenge each of you to take an active role in your membership with ATA; you will be surprised by the knowledge you will gain and the friendships you will make! I want to also challenge you to come down to the Conference this fall in Auburn, October 28–30. This will be the last year in Auburn, since we are co-hosting a regional turf conference in Biloxi for the next couple of years. Auburn has been a wonderful home to our conference for many years, and it will be great to have a huge showing of support from our members. We have planned another premier conference with fun activities and networking opportunities: the golf tournament and welcome reception at Moore’s Mill Golf Club, a walking tour of the Auburn University athletic fields after lunch and before the tradeshow (so everyone can come along) on Wednesday, the tradeshow and reception on the floor of the Auburn Arena and, of course, our live auction with great deals to score and entertainment, to boot! Come join the excitement, and attend our many educational sessions designed specifically for turf managers in all segments of our industry. In closing, I want to encourage you to become more active in the Alabama Turfgrass Association and encourage others to join our association. You may consider volunteering behind the scenes to make our events even more beneficial to our members. We need to learn and grow every day, especially in the field that we have chosen as our life’s work. Take advantage of these offerings; you will reap more than you will ever sow… I promise! To every member of ATA, thank you for allowing me to represent you this past year. I want to also thank all the board members with whom I have served over the last five years. I appreciate your hard work, dedication and friendship. And I want to thank Tricia Roberts, our executive director, for her constant commitment and service to ATA. I have been blessed to work with some wonderful folks in the Alabama Turfgrass Association — thank you. I look forward to seeing everyone in Auburn at the Conference and Tradeshow!

John Carter 2 014 ATA President Carter Landscaping & Sod Farm

<<< News from ATA

Alabama Turfgrass Association

2015 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 29. Please make every point to attend this meeting and vote on the future leadership of your association

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.alturfgrass.org Published by: Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, Tennessee 37064 Tel: (615) 790-3718 Fax: (615) 794-4524 Email: info@leadingedge communications.com Executive Director Tricia Roberts Alabama Turf Times Editor James Horton Birmingham Botanical Gardens

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President John Carter Carter Sod Farm

Vice President Jeremy Sutton

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (1-year terms)

Montgomery Country Club

President

Treasurer

Richter Landscape Co.

Jeremy Sutton (1 year) Montgomery Country Club

Paul Patterson (1 year) Univ. of Alabama Huntsville

Past President Glenn Hedden

Vice President

Past President

Jason Cooper Richter Landscape Co.

John Carter (1 year) Carter Sod Farm

BOARD OF DIRECTORS At–Large Kim Byram

Treasurer Jason Cooper

Town of Loxley

University of Alabama

Richard Brackin

Lawrence County Sod Farm

Board of Directors

Mark Langer

FarmLinks Golf Club

Golf Cole McInnis

At Large

Lawn Care

Kim Byram (1 year) University of Alabama David Isbell (2 years) Twelve Oaks Landscaping Mickey Pitts (2 years) Beard Equipment Co.

Tom Luchner (1 year) Turf Tenders, LLC

Deven Peek (2 years) City of Prattville

Institution Paul Patterson

Golf

Sod

Lawncare Tom Luchner

Mark Langner (2 years) FarmLinks Golf Club

Chad Lambert (1 year) Sur-Line Turf

Institution Joshua Slaven (2 years) Troy University

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

Industry Chad Lambert Sur-Line Turf

University of Alabama Huntsville

Turf Tenders

Parks & Recreation Mark Irwin City of Foley

Sod Tres’ Wilkinson South Dallas Turf

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

Jim Jacobi, Ph.D.

Alabama Cooperative Extension System

Al abam a Tur f Ti me s >>> Fall 201 4

Industry

Park & Recreation

Willow Point Country Club

ATA Member Spotlight

Meet Your Incoming ATA President...

Jeremy Sutton, Montgomery Country Club

By Tricia Roberts, ATA Executive Director

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Fa ll 201 4

you know Jeremy, you know that he is a multitasker and entrepreneur. He can juggle anything you throw his way. Jeremy has been the superintendent at the Montgomery Country Club for the last 12 years. During that time, he has also served on several boards of directors, including serving as president of the Alabama Golf Course Superintendents Association and, in a few weeks, the president of the Alabama Turfgrass Association. Jeremy also owns a landscape business and a driving range AND gives everything 110%. We have to assume that he just doesn’t sleep! Growing up in Harvest, Alabama (a small town near Huntsville in north Alabama), Jeremy played golf on his high school golf team. He says, “I realized quickly that if I wanted to stay in golf, it wouldn’t be from playing.” The course he played needed help the summer between his junior and senior year in high school, so Jeremy took the job and was hooked from then on. After high school, Jeremy attended Auburn University and pursued a degree in horticulture, which led him back to work on golf courses. Throughout his career, Jeremy has had an abundance of positive mentors; every superintendent he worked for taught him some valuable lessons. “The vast majority of the time, I logged into my notes and memory important bits and pieces of who they were and how they operated that made them so successful,” he recalls. “That really helped me along the way.” The best advice Jeremy has received comes from The Bible, Luke 6: 30-31: “Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to

others as you would have them do to you.” By his commitment to our industry, we see that he lives that scripture every day. Jeremy has been married to his beautiful bride, Sarah Sutton, for 19 years. They have two boys, Austin (14) and Grant (12) and a lab named after Jeremy’s golf game, Bogey. They attend the Church of the Highlands in Montgomery and can be found tailgating at all the Auburn football games during the fall. Jeremy also enjoys hunting and fishing, but golf will always rank at the top! Jeremy would like to publicly thank all of the guys (and gals) that have worked with him over the years. “It’s sometimes a thankless job, and those folks don’t get near the credit they deserve,” he points out. “I’ve been fortunate to work with some really great people. I’d also like to thank my current employer, The Montgomery Country Club. It’s hard for me to believe it’s already been 12 years here. It has been a treat to see the improvements we’ve added to the course over the years and to hear people’s reactions to the course when they haven’t played here in several years.” Having folks enjoy the fruits of our labor is what it is all about, and we’re glad Jeremy gets to witness this first hand at the Montgomery Country Club. We hope that our membership shows appreciation to him for all the hard work that he has (and will continue to) put into the Alabama Turfgrass Association. We are a stronger association because of members like Jeremy. Thank you, Jeremy! We look forward to a great year under your leadership. v

Upcoming Event >>>

We Need

at the

You

ATA Turfgrass Conference & Tradeshow,

October 28–30, 2014 Auburn University Hotel & Conference Center

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Fa ll 201 4

are asking every ATA member to please come down (or up) to Auburn this fall and help us celebrate a long-standing tradition of hosting the Conference on the Plains in Auburn. This will be the last conference and tradeshow in Auburn, since ATA is co-hosting the Deep South Turf Expo in Biloxi next year, and we want to leave Auburn with a grand finale! We are offering some extra surprises this year for the final farewell. First, we are holding a golf tournament and the Welcome Reception at the beautiful Moore’s Mill Golf Course, the newest golf course in Auburn. We are moving the tour of the Auburn University athletic facilities to Wednesday between lunch and the tradeshow so that everyone can take a tour of these phenomenal sports fields. Plus, to make our last conference in Auburn memorable and interesting to all SEC fans, we will have a special keynote presentation on the history of SEC football by Dr. Mark Windham of The University of Tennessee. Then, we will return to the Auburn Arena, home of the Auburn basketball team, for the tradeshow and the Membership Dinner and Live Auction. Plus, we have twelve educational sessions planned for the last day to enhance your knowledge of turf-management practices and earn your CEUs and pesticide re-certification points. We will even offer a study class and examination for anyone who needs to take the OTPS or OPTC examination. We are honored to have the Alabama Golf Course Superintendents Association joining us for our Conference this year. They will have their annual business meeting at the golf course just prior to the golf tournament. We appreciate their support of the tradeshow and hope they find the educational sessions beneficial. If you haven’t registered already for the Conference, you can do so on our website: www.alturfgrass.org. Be sure to also make your hotel reservations at the host hotel, the Auburn University Hotel & Conference Center, by calling 1-800-228-2876 and asking for the $109 ATA room rate. Hurry, the rate is only valid until October 8. This is sure to be a conference you do not want to miss. Come join your fellow ATA members and industry peers for an event full of educational sessions, networking and awesome deals! We look forward to seeing you on the Plains, October 28–30!

SCHEDULE at a Glance Tuesday, October 28 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. OTPS & OPTC Study Session (Auburn University Hotel & Conference Center) Interested in taking the OTPS or OPTC examination to be licensed in the state of Alabama? Take advantage of this opportunity to take a study course and examination while at the conference. Attendees will need to purchase the study materials prior to class, available on-line at http://www.aces. edu/anr/pesticidemgt/.

10 a.m. AGCSA Business Meeting (Moore’s Mill Golf Club)

11 a.m. Golf Tournament (Moore’s Mill Golf Club) Grab your clubs, and get ready for an afternoon of golf on the beautiful course at Moore’s Mill. Golfers will be treated to lunch, drinks and tournament prizes. Tee-off is at 11:30 a.m.

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

5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Welcoming Reception (Moore’s Mill Golf Club) All attendees are encouraged to come meet and greet at the Moore’s Mill Golf Club under the pavilion. Hors d’oeuvres will be served, and a cash bar will be available. Dinner is on your own.

Wednesday, October 29 7 a.m. – 11 a.m. Registration Open

3 p.m. – 4 p.m. Turf Talks: Equipment & Product Updates (Auburn Arena)

(Auburn University Hotel & Conference Center)

Industry representatives will give updates on new or improved equipment and products for turf managers.

8 a.m. Auburn University Research Update & Breakfast

4 p.m. – 5 p.m. Reception (Auburn Arena)

(Auburn University Hotel & Conference Center) Sit down to enjoy breakfast with your peers as the Auburn University turf team gives us an update on the research projects they are currently working on at the research center.

Enjoy a complimentary reception during the last hour of the tradeshow while you wrap up conversations and deals with the exhibitors.

5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Dinner & Auction (Auburn Arena Scholarship Terrace) Bring your appetite and checkbook to this event… you can score some great products and gifts at our live auction. A cash bar will be available.

9 a.m. Review of New Formulas, Labels & Chemicals for Turf Management (Auburn University Hotel & Conference Center) Learn what products are coming on the market, updates on any labeling changes and how they can benefit your management program.

10 a.m. Keynote Presentation: History of the SEC Dr. Mark Windham, University of Tennessee (Auburn University Hotel & Conference Center) Come hear the interesting facts and history of the SEC from this entertaining ornamental-plant pathologist.

11:30 a.m. Lunch & ATA Business Meeting (Auburn University Hotel & Conference Center) Enjoy lunch with the company of your fellow ATA members while we conduct the business meeting for the association.

12:30 p.m. Tour of Auburn Sports Fields Attendees will be guided on a walking tour of Jordan-Hare Stadium, Plainsman Park and the indoor practice facility. Be sure to bring your walking shoes!

Visit exhibitors in a relaxed environment on the basketball arena floor. Cards will be available for the $250 cash drawing; get them stamped by all the exhibitors, and be sure to thank all the companies that support our industry.

Al abam a Tur f Ti me s >>> Fall 201 4

2 p.m. – 5 p.m. Tradeshow (Auburn Arena)

Upcoming Event >>> continued

Thursday, October 30 7:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast

7:30 a.m. ATRF Business Meeting

8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions

(Auburn University Hotel) Grab a biscuit and coffee to start your day off right!

(Auburn University Hotel & Conference Center) Open business meeting for all interested individuals.

(Auburn University Hotel & Conference Center) See table below for schedule. v

Thursday, October 30 —Breakout Sessions

8:00 a.m.

9:30 a.m.

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Fa ll 201 4

11:00 a.m.

Turfgrass Management

Pest Management

Landscape Management

Golf Course Management

What’s in a Name? The Development, Breeding & Use of Common Bermudagrasses for Turf Beth Guertal, Ph.D., Auburn University Learn how seeded and hybrid bermudagrasses are developed, bred and used.

Critters That Are a Nuisance to Your Turf Andy Baril, ACES Learn how to keep wildlife from destroying your turf and landscape.

Adding Color to Your Landscape Harvey Cotton, Huntsville Botanical Gardens Learn from the expert on color combinations, where to add color and with what plants.

Weed Resistance Scott McElroy, Ph.D., Auburn University Do you have weed resistance on your golf course? Learn how to test this theory and apply management solutions.

Evaluations of Bermudagrasses for Shade and Stress Tolerance Scott McElroy, Ph.D., Auburn University Learn how the different cultivars fare under stress and shade.

Common Diseases of Lawns Jim Jacobi, Ph.D., ACES Review the most common disease and control practices for healthy turf.

Landscape Myths Tony Glover, ACES Hear some of the most common misguided beliefs about landscapes.

Nematode Management in Putting Greens Billy Crow, Ph.D., University of Florida Learn BMPs for nematode control in golf greens.

Winterkill Recovery Dave Han, Ph.D., Auburn University Learn how to prevent winterkill on your turf with lessons learned from the winter of 2013–2014.

New Chemistries for Pest Management David Held, Ph.D., Auburn University Learn new products and application methods for controlling turfgrass pests.

Weed Control in Landscape Beds James Horton, Birmingham Botanical Gardens Learn proper techniques and methods for controlling weeds in landscape beds.

Around the Southeast in 1.5 Hours: Lessons Learned in 2014 Chris Hartwiger, USGA Green Section Come hear what our USGA agronomist observed on golf course greens over the last year.

12:30 p.m.

Adjournment & CEU & Pesticide Sign-Ups (Auburn University Hotel & Conference Center)

1:00 p.m.

OTPS & OPTC Examinations (Auburn University Hotel & Conference Center) Bring your calculators and #2 pencil.

Cover Story >>>

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Fa ll 201 4

By James Horton, Birmingham Botanical Gardens

fter a long, hot summer, most everyone is ready for the cooler temperatures and lower humidity of fall. As beautiful as this season can be, with trees displaying an array of hues, all turfgrass managers know those colorful leaves eventually tumble from the treetops to litter their landscapes. On the ground, leaves signal that it’s time to start working. Interestingly, a light cover of leaves during a week of frosty night temperatures can actually keep the grass (especially zoysiagrass) green for a prolonged period of time in the fall. This effect is especially noticed after the leaves are removed. While a few leaves won’t harm your turfgrass, a thick layer of leaves is not only unpleasant to view but also can cause problems for the turfgrass and turfgrass manager. The downside comes when fallen leaves are allowed to accumulate, blocking sunlight from reaching grass blades and limiting air circulation, which could cause turf diseases to proliferate. In addition, a smothering layer of wet leaves keeps soil moist, which can cause turf roots to rot if the soil stays wet long enough, possibly killing large patches of turfgrass. In short, ignoring leaves on your turfgrass isn’t an option! Once leaves begin to drop, either due to late-summer droughts or near-freezing fall temperatures, it’s time to deal with the problem, and leaf removal should become a daily operation. Whether you opt to rake, mow, blow or vacuum leaves, it’s always better to act before rain arrives, which transforms dry leaves into soaked, heavy mats. Wet leaves are always harder to handle, making the job more difficult and time consuming for the equipment and operator.

Tools and equipment for leaf removal

Rakes Most turfgrass managers don’t have the time or manpower to rake leaves. This process is slow and has only limited use in the commercial arena. This is not to say leaf rakes are never used; instead, they have their place when raking small areas, pulling leaves out from under shrubs, removing leaves from the tops of hedges and as hand extensions to pick up and load leaves. If leaves are being raked in small areas, the use of large, lightweight plastic or rubber trashcans make transporting leaves more efficient than wheelbarrows or even open-aired dump beds on carts. Who wants to pick up leaves twice? If the amount of leaves becomes too large for the trashcans, consider tarps. They can be purchased in various sizes rather cheaply, hold large amount of leaves, can be dragged short distances (especially over turfgrass, with little or no harm done to the grass or tarp) and can be folded over and hauled on the back of carts with no leaf loss across the property. Blowers If your crews are raking large areas, their time and your money could be better spent. Depending on the size area you maintain, you have the choice of a wide variety of leaf-blowing equipment. The invention of the backpack blower lowered leafremoval cost dramatically, and recent advances in backpack blowers continue to reduce their weight while increasing power and wind velocity. The bigger, newer models have engine displacements of 60–65 cc, producing maximum wind speeds of 200 to 234 mph, while weighing between 20 and 24 pounds. Daily use of the backpack blower during the fall season is a must to staying on top of the problem. Most turfgrass managers own at least one backpack blower for each crewmember. In fact, the most efficient crews assign a blower to each person. Many managers have noticed and agree that assigned equipment is better operated and maintained than equipment that is given out daily from a first-come-first-served equipment pool. Even backpack blowers become inefficient, though, if the area becomes too large. Moving up to the higherhorse-powered, wheeled push blowers may be your next option. They are easily maneuvered and can move large amounts of leaves, even those stuck to pavement by recent rains. These units are used in many city parks not only to remove leaves from turf areas but also to clean the parking lots. They work well on level terrain, but if the site becomes the least bit hilly, they can become a bear to operate.

Al abam a Tur f Ti me s >>> Fall 201 4

Mowers Mowing the leaves in place could be the easiest and most simple means of disposal for many turfgrass managers, but some seem hesitant to recycle leaves back into the lawn, fearing they will create thatch or other problems. Research done in many parts of the country, however, has shown that mowing leaves into the turfgrass does not cause any problems. Now, this practice would never be tolerated on golf greens or most sports fields, but for many parks and lawns, it is a common practice. The best results are obtained by using a mulching mower with the proper mulching blade, which cuts and recuts leaves several times before they fall to the turf surface. The smaller the pieces, the quicker the soil microbes (which are active all year) can attack and break down the leaves into humus. Two or more passes of the mower may be needed over larger tree leaves to get a finely shredded product. It is best to use the mulching mower regularly and not wait until all the leaves have fallen before using this method. The deeper the layer, the more difficult it is to get them all shredded properly. In addition, the leaves should be dry; they’ll almost shatter when the mower

blades hit them. If they’re wet, let them dry for a day or so, if possible. Once the small leaf pieces settle to the soil surface, microbes will start the decomposition process, releasing the nutrients from the leaves. However, tree leaves have little NPK value (1:1/10:1); their main value comes from adding organic matter to the soil.

Cover Story >>> continued

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Fa ll 201 4

At this point, you still have several options. At the Birmingham Botanical Gardens where 67.5 acres are maintained, there are miles of paths and acres of landscape and turfgrass across 155 feet of elevation change that must be cleared of leaves each fall. And, yes, this is a daily process. Rakes are used as described above, along with backpack blowers that were used extensively for most areas until three years ago when a trailer-mounted debris blower, operating with a large turbo fan and directional air tube, was purchased. Almost any size utility cart can pull this unit. It can be remotely started and stopped, throttled up or down and even rotate the air discharge tube 360°, all from the handheld wireless controller operated by the utility cart driver. This one piece of equipment reduced the leaf-blowing hours done by backpack blowers during the peak leaf fall by 20 man-hours per day. During those peak weeks, those 20 extra man-hours are spent handling other chores each day; so much time is saved, it’s like having two to three additional crewmembers. One added benefit — the noise reduction due to less hours blowing is greatly appreciated by your patrons. With any new piece of equipment, there is a learning curve. For this blower, operators had to learn the best motor speed/air flow and position to rotate the air tube

to blow leaves without causing damage to the landscape. This unit is great for blowing leaves off established turfgrass, parking lots, concrete and asphalt walking paths, and porous gravel paths where a binder has been applied. For even larger expanses of turfgrass such as golf courses or huge parks, blowers mounted to a tractor by way of the three-point hitch are the way to go. The airflow is incredible. The operator will need training to adjust the PTO (and thus the air speed) along with air direction to reduce damage to the surrounding landscape. At this point, it is worth noting that once turfgrass has been over-seeded, the use of blowers will be limited for obvious reason. Once the seed has established, the use of blowers can resume with caution. After the leaves have been blown into windrows or piles, what next? Well, as mentioned above, leaves can be hauled away using large trashcans or tarps, but this method is mostly for small landscapes and complexes. If you have many acres of leaves to deal with, you need some special equipment to handle tons of leaves quickly and easily. Vacuums Vacuum sweepers can be great assets in removing leaves from your landscape. In years past, sweepers were usually small units with brushes geared to ground speed,

which tossed leaves in rather small hoppers requiring frequent dumps. However, advances in sweepers today, with the variety of attachments available, save tremendous man-hours not only during the fall but all year long. For each attachment used, the sweeper must be adjusted properly and the travel speed set correctly for the terrain, in order to prevent turf damage. Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s powerful models have a variety of sweeping reels available (nylon bristle brush, rubber fingers or blades, resembling a flail mower). Some not only vacuum but also shred the leaves at the same time, with a reduction ratio of 10:1 (meaning it converts 10 units worth of leaves into 1 unit). Other units can be fitted with an accessory that turns the sweeper into a verticutter. Sweepers come in all sizes, but in my opinion, your staff will spend more time doing maintenance on the smaller push and tow-behind types (mostly unclogging the 4" to 6" hoses) than vacuuming. Instead, when it comes to capability, the larger tractor-pulled sweepers for the bigger turfgrass areas (and the truck-mounted models for large complexes containing streets and parking lots) will amaze you. These units can range from 8- to 100-hp gas or diesel engines, with hoppers holding 3 to 30 cu. yds. of leaves. Some have dump beds, and others have â&#x20AC;&#x153;live-bottoms.â&#x20AC;? The

Left Photo: Almost any size utility cart can pull this leaf-blower unit. Photo courtesy of James Horton, Director, Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Right Photo: Daily use of the backpack blower during the fall season is a must to staying on top of the problem.

Al abam a Tur f Ti me s >>> Fall 201 4

Cover Story >>> continued

bigger units have airflows as high as 16,000 to 24,000 CFM, using hand or hydraulically operated arms with wander hoses (some as large as 16"). These mobile vacuums are leaf-collecting systems. Depending on the size of your facility and the number of deciduous trees present, you should be able to find the right size vacuum to handle your leaf problem each fall. Leaf plows Leaves that have been mowed, raked or blown into piles can be moved using a leaf plow; this new piece of equipment looks something like the old cattle guard on a steam locomotive. Designed to fit mostly zero-turn mowers, leaf plows quickly push piles of leaves from one location to another. Built using steel-mesh material with supports at the top, center and bottom, they ride on two adjustable caster wheels that float over uneven surfaces without damaging turfgrass. A leaf plow normally attaches to the mowing unit using a mounting bar and two clevis pins for quick setup and removal. Moving the bulk of the pile, they do leave a trail of leaves behind while the pile is being moved. Some units have spring tines along the bottom of the plow to reduce the number of leaves left behind. This equipment may best be used on level terrain.

What to do with leaves

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Fa ll 201 4

While sending them to the landfill might be an option, it is not environmentally wise. The problem is that all those leaves from across our communities fill up landfill space a lot faster than necessary. With the high cost of locating and creating new landfills, we should want to make existing landfills last as long as possible. Burning is not a good option, either; in fact, it may be illegal depending on your location. Mulching This is a great way to deal with fall leaves. Where possible, blow leaves directly into natural areas, saving money on labor and mulch. Distribute the leaves 4" to 6" deep, making sure to keep them 6" away from the bases of trees and shrubs to prevent damage from rodents, such as voles. These leaves will decompose in place, reduce weed problems and enrich the soil, all at the same time. By the way, don’t use disease- or insect-infested leaves, for obvious reasons. Oddly enough, black walnut leaves should not be reused due to their allelopathic effect on surrounding plants and microorganisms. Allelopathy is a plant’s production and release of different chemical substances that act as germination or growth inhibitors to other nearby plants. Many plants grown near black walnut trees exhibit symptoms such as foliar yellowing, wilting and eventual death. The active allelopathic agent is juglone (5-hydroxy-1, 4-naphthoquinone), which occurs naturally in all parts of the black walnut. Juglone has been shown to be a respiration inhibitor, which deprives sensitive plants of needed energy for metabolic activity.

Composting Good topsoil or compost is expensive. At some point, a turfgrass manager will always need to improve existing soil, so why not make your own enriched compost? Leaves make exceptional material for compost, especially when used with grass clippings. An active compost must include both high-carbon and high-nitrogen materials. Dry leaves are very high in carbon, but low in nitrogen, while green grass clippings are much higher in nitrogen. A mix of 2:1 or 3:1 (dry leaves to green grass clippings) is optimum for decomposition in the compost pile. Turn the pile every two weeks, and keep it moist. If it seems to be decomposing a little slowly, a little nitrogen fertilizer may be added to stimulate the microbes. In four to six months, you should have “black gold.”

Landscape notes

One possible solution in reducing your leaf problem is to keep in mind some simple landscaping ideas. • When choosing tree and shrub species to plant near turf areas, use varieties that have smaller leaves rather than large. Smaller leaves are easier to mow, blow and vacuum; they also decompose faster. • Trees and shrubs that have large, leathery leaves are the hardest to deal with once they fall to the ground. The biggest offender in this category has to be the ever-handsome Southern magnolia, Magnolia grandiflora. This is a great tree for the landscape, but it should always be left full to the ground. Once you remove the lower limbs to raise the canopy, you will be dealing with a leaf litter problem every day of the year. • Use a planting of shrubs at the bottom of a wooded hillside where normally leaves would be blown down the hill and settle on nearby turfgrass. By installing a planting of azaleas, hydrangeas, hollies, etc., at the toe of the slope, many leaves will be trapped behind the shrubs. • Install mulch rings around the base of trees, making it easier not only to mow around trees but also to vacuum.

Final Comments

Fall is a beautiful season, and as it arrives, the emphasis of work changes from that of mowing grass (unless over-seeding is scheduled) to that of leaf removal. The turfgrass manager has many tools that can be deployed to complete this task, and hopefully, the leaves will be used in a way that benefits the environment. In Alabama, the major leaf-removal season usually starts in October, with the bulk of the leaves falling before Christmas, and January is usually spent doing the final cleanup. During those months, leaf removal is a daily chore for most. Therefore, it is quite understandable that as autumn approaches and the first leaves begin to fall, the following words may be muttered, “Leaf me alone.” v

In larger areas, a pull-behind vacuum can be a great asset for removing leaves. Many models will not only vacuum but also shred the leaves at the same time. Photo courtesy of James Horton, Director, Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Al abam a Tur f Ti me s >>> Fall 201 4

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Turf Talk >>>

Controlling

Goosegrass on Bermudagrass Putting Greens By Scott McElroy, Ph.D., Professor, Dept. of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences, Auburn University, and Michael Flessner, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Dept. of Plant Pathology, Physiology and Weed Science, Virginia Tech University

oosegrass is an increasing problem on golf courses, especially on putting green surfaces. There are few herbicides for goosegrass control today. Further complicating this issue, two staples for goosegrass control — MSMA and Illoxan (diclofop) — are being lost or reduced in use. MSMA use has been greatly reduced by the EPA as part of a general policy to reduce arsenic-based products in the market place. Illoxan, a post-grass herbicide and the only such herbicide labeled for use on bermudagrass, is being removed from the marketplace due to low sales.

Available herbicides

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For preemergence control, dinitroaniline herbicides such as Pendulum (pendimethalin) and Barricade (prodiamine) can be inconsistent in their control. Goosegrass populations with increased resistance to dinitroaniline herbicides were first identified in the early 1980s, and it is commonly thought that such populations have become widespread. Dimension is similar in mode of action to dinitroanilines, but it is also commonly thought that it is ineffective for goosegrass control. Specticle (indaziflam) has been demonstrated to be effective for preemergence goosegrass. Specticle cannot be used on putting greens, however, due to the potential for root pruning. In fact, there is danger for root pruning for all the mentioned preemergence herbicides; thus, their use on putting greens has been greatly reduced or eliminated. Ronstar (oxadiazon) and Bensulide (bensumec) can also be used for preemergence goosegrass control. For putting greens, these herbicides are commonly purchased as the prepackaged granular herbicide, “Anderson’s Goose and Crab” (AGC). Simply due to the limited number of preemergence herbicides available for use on putting greens, AGC has become a popular choice for use on bermudagrass putting greens in the Southeast. Bensulide can negatively impact roots, but it is viewed as less damaging than dinitroanilines, Dimension or Specticle. The one negative of AGC is consistency. My research lab has followed up on numerous reports of lack of control with AGC, and none have been found to be resistant.

Turf Talk >>> continued

Fig. 1a.

Fig. 1b.

It is suspected that some goosegrass populations perenniate in putting greens or that enhanced degradation of AGC occurs with continual use. No data exists to confirm either of these theories for lack of control. Nevertheless, while reports of inconsistent control are common, AGC still comes highly recommended, as it likely reduces the total goosegrass population, making further goosegrass-control practices more effective. From a postemergence perspective, there are only three herbicides that can be utilized: Illoxan, Revolver (foramsulfuron) and Dismiss (sulfentrazone). As stated earlier, Illoxan is no longer going to be sold, eliminating it as a possibility. Revolver and Dismiss can be effective, but they require two or more applications. Revolver and Dismiss also suffer consistency problems. As both superintendents and researchers have observed, Revolver or Dismiss can yield complete control with two applications, but control can also completely fail with more than two applications. It is unknown why such control inconsistency is observed. From my research, non-controlled goosegrass populations have been collected and tested for possible evolved resistance. To date, no populations have tested positive for resistance to Dismiss or Revolver.

Goosegrass control in bermudagrass putting greens

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Figure 1a and 1b. Goosegrass control and bermudagrass injury at two locations from research conducted in 2013.

With the limitations from loss of herbicides due to regulation and resistance development, new management plans are required for goosegrass control in bermudagrass putting greens. First, think about what cannot be used: MSMA and Illoxan are out. Barricade, Pendulum and Specticle are too damaging to roots and are not labeled for greens use. In 2013 and continuing in 2014, my research team initiated a series of experiments utilizing alternative herbicides for preemergence goosegrass control in bermudagrass putting greens. Bear in mind that this was a high-risk, high-reward type of experiment that is trying to think broadly about possible alternatives. The herbicides we chose to test were Dimension (dithiopyr), Tower (dimethenamid) and Dismiss (sulfentrazone). Ronstar (oxadiazon) was utilized as a standard comparison treatment. Rates are listed in Table 1. Why these herbicides? It was theorized that Dimension could be utilized for preemergence control and would have lower potential for root pruning. Tower was selected based on previous research in which it increased the goosegrass control of standard preemergence herbicides. Dismiss (sulfentrazone) was selected because it has been shown to have some pre- and post-emergence activity on goosegrass. These herbicides were also tested in combination to determine if any synergistic effects occurred. Photo 1. Observed bermudagrass control from select treatments observed at location 2 in 2013.

Turf Talk >>> continued

Our research clearly demonstrates four things: 1. D imension applied at low rates sequentially can control goosegrass via preemergence activity. 2. Tower is too injurious immediately after application to be utilized on putting greens, even at the low rates selected. 3. Dismiss can provide some benefit, but it is inconsistent in activity. 4. Ronstar controlled goosegrass effectively, but it was rated less effective than Dimension at one location.

From this research one would conclude that Dimension could be utilized at the prescribed rates for preemergence goosegrass control on bermudagrass putting greens. Does this sound too good to be true? Well, it could be, on some sites. In approximately half of the locations where we have applied larger concept demonstration plots, bermudagrass injury caused by root pruning has been observed (see pictures). That being said, half of the locations have resulted in no observed injury or root pruning.

Table 1. Herbicide rates for treatments selected for goosegrass control on bermudagrass putting greens. All herbicides were applied at three applications with three-week intervals starting around March 28 in 2013 and 2014, except for Ronstar, which was applied twice on nine-week intervals.

Herbicide

Active Ingredient

Product Rate

Lbs. ai/a Rate

Tower

dimethenamid

21.3 fl. oz./a

1.0

Tower

dimethenamid

16.0 fl. oz./a

0.75

Dismiss

sulfentrazone

4.0 fl. oz./a

0.125

Dimension 2EW

dithiopyr

11 fl. oz./a

0.17

Tower + Dimension

dimethenamid + dithiopyr

21.3 fl. oz./a + 11 fl. oz./a

1.0 + 0.17

Dismiss + Dimension

sulfentrazone + dithiopyr

4 fl. oz./a + 11 fl. oz./a

0.125 + 0.17

Ronstar 2G

oxadiazon

100 lbs./a

2.0

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Photo 2.

Photos 2 and 3. At some locations, bermudagrass putting greens where injured by Dimension, which was hypothesized to be caused by root pruning.

Photo 3.

Moving forward

Currently, the use of Dimension on putting greens is somewhat questionable. Some generic formulations of dithiopyr do not specifically state whether dithiopyr can or cannot be applied to bermudagrass putting greens. In moving forward with this research, it is difficult to know what to recommend or what should be the next phase of the testing. Certainly, we will continue to evaluate Dismiss since no injury was observed, leaving it as a viable product for putting green use. But the use of dithiopyr is up in the air. Excellent goosegrass control at all locations has been observed, but bermudagrass injury has been observed at half the locations. So, how bad is your goosegrass problem? Bad enough to risk severe injury to control it? If so, then dithiopyr may be an option. For goosegrass control in putting greens, Andersonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Goosegrass/Crabgrass Control is clearly the current standard for preemergence goosegrass control in bermudagrass golf course putting greens. While not perfect in control, it likely reduces the goosegrass population great enough to make other management practices more effective. v

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Turf Tips >>>

A Valuable, New Resource for Pesticide Applicators and the Environment By Wayne Buhler, Ph.D., North Carolina State University

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PesticideStewardship.org Homepage

esticide Environmental Stewardship (PES) website — at http:// pesticidestewardship.org — is a central, online resource for information on proper pesticide handling and environmental stewardship. The site is designed for anyone who applies, sells, stores or disposes of pesticides; provides advice or training on pesticide use; or is involved in pesticide stewardship or regulation. Each major topic area (of which there are currently 18) contains research-based information, links to key external resources and federal and state regulations where appropriate. The goals of the PES website are to: • Summarize general principles of pesticide stewardship. • Provide category-, pesticide- and geography-specific stewardship principles where appropriate. • Direct users to key resources (links), by stewardship topic, category of use, pesticide and location (including state-specific regulations). • (coming soon!) Provide quizzes and assessment tools to improve critical thinking and decision-making skills regarding pesticide/non-pesticide options and potential impacts.

Continued <<< Cover Story

All content appearing directly on the PES website is not copyrighted and may be used or adapted by Extension and other educators to support or enhance their current pesticideeducation efforts. This includes the various “Pesticide Stewardship” brochures in the “Resources to Download” link on the homepage (http://pesticidestewardship.org/ Pages/Resources.aspx). PES content is directly linked to the USDA’s eXtension website (http://www.extension.org/ pesticidestewardship) where PES is recognized as a Community of Practice. Content is vetted by subject-matter experts, where available. Educational materials are continually solicited, and editorial support is encouraged from many stakeholders or partners, which include agrochemical industry, government agencies, national grower organizations and other professional groups. See the list of PES website “Supporting Organizations” (at http://pesticidestewardship.org/ Pages/About.aspx). I serve as the National Coordinator and have recruited a dynamic team of colleagues that has contributed substantially to the development of PES. Since

PesticideStewardship.org Pesticide Drift Page

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PesticideStewardship.org Wildlife Protectors Page

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Turf Tips >>> continued

the inception of the website project in the mid-2000s, team members include: Ron Gardner (Cornell University); Carol Black and Carrie Foss (Washington State University); Jim Wilson (retired, South Dakota State University); Fred Whitford (Purdue University); and Clyde Ogg (University of Nebraska). Dean Herzfeld (University of Minnesota), Patricia Hastings (Rutgers) and Kerry Richards (Penn State) are participating in 2014. The website retains independence from specific companies, universities or states. The PES Website is entirely funded with external monies administered by the Center for IPM (CIPM). CIPM was established in 1991 as part of the National Science Foundation’s Industry/ University Cooperative Research Centers Program. CIPM involves scientists from universities across the nation through grants, contracts or other formal working relationships to foster IPM in both agricultural and urban settings. It is housed within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at NC State University. The PES Website has garnered an enthusiastic response from educators across North America, members of the “Supporting Organizations” indicated above and leaders of national regulatory agencies. It has been selected as the National Clearinghouse for PPE Educational Materials, which will be developed, updated and approved by the National Pesticide PPE Training Solutions Committee (NIOSH). And, the U.S. EPA requires that 2014 labels of certain neonicotinoid pesticides contain a text box that lists specific application restrictions to protect pollinators. Among these statements, the label advises applicators to log onto the Pollinator Protection module of the PES website (http://pesticide stewardship.org/PollinatorProtection/ Pages/default.aspx) for “information on protecting bees and other insect pollinators.” The PES Website is developed with MS SharePoint and resides on a server at Cornell University. Website development and content enhancement is ongoing. It is accessible by smart phones. Several thousand visits to the site have been recorded per month so far. v

PesticideStewardship.org Nozzle Tip Selection Page

Continued <<< Cover Story

Al abam a Tur f Ti me s >>> Fall 201 4

Calendar of Events >>>

September 21–22

ATA Mole Cricket Classic Fishing Tournament Orange Beach, AL

October 14–16

NRPA Congress and Expo (Nat. Rec. & Parks Assn.) Charlotte Convention Ctr. Charlotte, NC

October 22–25

School of Grounds Management and Green Industry Expo Galt House Hotel and Kentucky Expo Center Louisville, KY

October 28–30

ATA Annual Turfgrass Conference & Tradeshow Auburn University Hotel & Conference Center Auburn, AL

Index of Advertisers >>>

November 11–12

MTA Annual Conference and Tradeshow (Mississippi Turfgrass Assn.) Bost Conference Center Starkville, MS

January 13–16, 2015 STMA Conference and Exhibition Denver, CO

January 28–30, 2015

Gulf States Horticultural Expo Mobile Outlaw Convention Cntr. Mobile, AL

February 21–26, 2015

Golf Industry Show Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center San Antonio, TX

October 13–15, 2015 Deep South Turf Expo Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center Biloxi, MS

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Digital Marketplace

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