MTC Turf News - Fall 2013

Fall 2013

Soil Testing

for Maryland’s Turfgrass Managers

Got Drainage?

Tips for the Golf Course

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contents • Fall 2013 09 UPCOMING EVENTS Save These Dates!

10 COVER STORY

16 TURF TALK

Soil Testing for Maryland’s Got Drainage?

Turfgrass Managers Tips for the Golf Course

departments 06 President’s Message 08 MTC Membership Application 18 Calendar of Events 18 University of MD Turf Team 18 Index of Advertisers

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MTC Turf News

MARYLAND TURFGRASS COUNCIL 12 Pressie Lane | Churchville, MD 21028 mdturfcouncil@verizon.net www.mdturfcouncil.org MTC Turf News is published quarterly for the MTC by: Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge St. Franklin, TN 37064 615-790-3718 (phone) 615-794-4524 (fax) info@leadingedge communications.com

2013 Board of Directors PRESIDENT

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

VICE PRESIDENT

Bill Warpinski Central Sod Farms Centreville, MD Office: 800-866-1387 Cell: 410-827-5000 billw@centralsod.com

SECRETARY/TREASURER Cheryl A. Gaultney Churchville, MD Home: 410-836-2876 Cell: 410-322-8275 sandqueen10@aol.com

PAST PRESIDENT

Vernon W. Cooper All States Turfgrass Consultants St. Michaels, MD Office: 410-745-9643 Cell: 443-742-6618 vernon@allstatesturf.com

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Michelle LoConte Montgomery Village, MD Cell: 301-518-4449 Fax: 240-597-1420 mdturfcouncil@verizon.net

ONE-YEAR DIRECTORS Brian Gietka Fountain Head C.C. Hagerstown, MD Office: 301-739-4286 Cell: 410-218-0131 briangietka@gmail.com

Harry Kenney Agrium Advanced Tech.

Ellicott City, MD Office: 800-235-6139 Cell: 410-375-6148 hkenney@agriumat.com Doug Lechlider Laytonsville Landscaping Laytonsville, MC Office: 301-253-1481 Cell: 240-372-2788 doug@laytonsville landscaping.com

TWO-YEAR DIRECTORS Rick LaNore MRW Lawns, Inc. LaPlata, MD Office: 301-870-3411 Cell: 301-609-1852 rick127928@ rocketmail.com Bill Patton Sr. Turf Center Lawns Spencerville, MD Office: 301-384-9300 Cell: 301-980-3094 turfcenterlawns@ yahoo.com Kevin Monaco Turf Equipment & Supply Jessup, MD 20794 Office: 410-799-5575 Cell: 443-250-1182 kevinmonaco@ turfequipment.com

THREE-YEAR DIRECTORS Tom Ritter Avenel Community Assn.

Potomac, MD Office: 301-229-5916 tritter@avenel.net Jamie Roell Anne Arundel Co. Rec. & Parks Millersville, MD Office: 410-222-6250 Cell: 443-370-2582 rproel09@aacounty.org Damian Varga Scientific Plant Services Sykesville, MD Office: 410-321-0970 Cell: 410-241-4623 spsdamian@juno.com

Fall 2013

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President’s Message

See You Soon

MTC Event! at an

We,

the members of the MTC board of directors, have defined our understanding with the University of Maryland concerning the endowment for a turf pathology position at the University. Currently, the fund will be called “The Turfgrass Pathology Research Fund.” It is our hope that now we can begin working toward our goal of obtaining the one million dollars needed for this fund. You will be seeing a lot of information in the near future as to how you can help in this effort.

On October 1, 2013, we will have our annual Golf Tournament at the University of Maryland golf course. Details and registration forms can be found on our website (www.mdturfcouncil.org). We hope to see many of you at this event, as it is one of our more successful fundraising projects. Last year the weather caused us to cancel the tournament twice, so we are hoping to have some great weather this year.

Later in the month, we will again have our Fall Field Day. This is an

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opportunity specifically for those of us in the lawn and landscape industries, sod production and Extension services to view and meet with our university researchers. Last year’s turnout was good, and we expect to do even better this year. The date is October 23, 2013, starting with lunch at 11:00 a.m., with tours of the plots to follow.

On July 1, 2013, the new fertilizer law took effect. We have been working in many ways behind the scenes to help get this law moving forward.

At the 2014 Conference and Trade Show, we will offer certification classes on the first day of the conference. It is our board’s desire that we can make this new law and certification process run smoothly.

Speaking of the 2014 MTC Conference and Trade Show, we are already working hard to make the upcoming conference one of the best we have had in recent years. With the many changes in the laws and regulations, we believe our conference and trade show offer the best means to stay up to date and involved.

I look forward to seeing and talking with all of you at all the upcoming events.

Lester Dubs

2013 MTC President

Fall 2013

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NEWS FROM MTC

New MTC Dues Structure Now in Effect for 2013

At

the MTC General Meeting during Turfgrass 2013, the first dues increase since the organization was formed in 1975 was approved. Is it critical that membership in the MTC continues to grow and provides benefits for the entire industry, which includes you and your company or facility. This is a big change, but it is long overdue, and we hope that you can see that the value of membership surpasses the increased cost. We need your support to continue to meet our goals of making the turfgrass industry one of the strongest in Maryland.

Effective February 1, 2013, dues were increased as per the schedule below, on the membership application.

Membership Benefits There are many benefits of being a member of the MTC, including: • Discounts at our Annual Conference • Discounts at our Annual Golf Tournament • Keeping the bi-annual Turfgrass Field Day free to attendees • Free subscription to the improved quarterly MTC Turf News and Membership Directory

• I ncreased networking business contacts • Representation to state legislators, university deans and local politicians and employees • Unlimited access to the MTC website • Access to the latest University of Maryland turf-topic publications • Use of the MTC logo in advertising • Opportunity for MD Pesticide Applicator License Recertification • Opportunity for the new MD Fertilizer Applicator License Certification

MTC Membership Application __________________________________________________________________ Name __________________________________________________________________ Home Address __________________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip Code __________________________________________________________________ Company Name __________________________________________________________________ Company Address __________________________________________________________________ Company City, State, Zip Code

$50

_______ Student/Educator Member

$15

_______ M aster Gardener/Non-Profit Volunteer Member

$25

_______ P ublic Agency (all employees per county or location)*

$75

_______ Business:

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

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

(10 to 15 employees)* $500 (Gold)

(15+ employees)* $1000 (Platinum) * Submit employee names for membership cards to the MTC Executive Director.

Amount Included $ _______________________

__________________________________________________________________ E-Mail Address

_______ Check made to MTC

__________________________________________________________________ Business Phone Cell Phone

_________________________________________ Name as it appears on credit card _________________________________________ Address where card is billed _________________________________________ Card Number _________________________________________ Exp. Date 3 digit code

Additional Company Members: Please attach a listing of additional members.

Send to: M ichelle LoConte • MTC Executive Director 20667 Highland Hall Drive • Montgomery Village, MD 20886

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TYPE OF MEMBERSHIP _______ Individual Member

MTC Turf News

_______ Credit Card (MC or Visa)

Upcoming Events

DON’T MISS THESE GREAT EVENTS!

October 1, 2013

October 23, 2013

January 6–7, 2014

Annual Angie Cammarota Golf Tournament for Turfgrass Research

Fall Turfgrass Field Day

Turfgrass 2014…

MTC Annual Turfgrass Conference & Tradeshow

University of Maryland Golf Course College Park, MD

University of Maryland University Turf Farm College Park, MD

University of Maryland Stamp Student Union College Park, MD

Fall 2013

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Cover Story

Soil Testing for Maryland’s Turfgrass Managers

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MTC Turf News

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a chapter of the Maryland Professional Lawn Care Manual published in June 2013 by the University of Maryland Extension. As part of Fertilizer Use Act of 2011 (passed by the Maryland General Assembly), all lawn care professionals must be certified by Maryland Department of Agriculture, beginning October 1, 2013, to apply fertilizer. The law also requires lawn care professionals to follow University of Maryland recommendations when applying nitrogen and phosphorus. The rules also apply to individuals responsible for turf management at golf courses, athletic fields, public parks, airports, businesses, cemeteries and other nonagricultural properties.

One

of the most beneficial practices for lawn care professionals is to take soil tests for the turf properties that they manage or maintain. Soil testing provides an accurate determination of a lawn’s nutrient and lime requirements.

It is inefficient and potentially harmful to the environment to apply nutrients that may not be needed or that may not be adequately absorbed by turf because of high or low soil pH. Although nitrogen is the most significant nutrient governing turf growth, other factors that will not be apparent without a soil test may limit turf growth.

The University of Maryland recommends that soil tests be performed for new customers and existing customers once every three years. A separate soil test should be taken for each management unit. A management unit is an area of land with similar soil types and similar fertility levels (as determined by previous soil tests) that has been consistently managed in the same manner and will be managed in a similar fashion in the future

How to take a soil sample The reliability of a soil test largely depends upon the quality of the soil sam-

ple submitted. The small amount of soil submitted to the test laboratory must accurately represent the entire area to be fertilized. Take samples before lime, fertilizer or organic nutrients are added.

Use only clean equipment for collecting soil samples, and carefully follow the directions detailed below.

Materials needed Use a clean plastic bucket and a soil probe or auger to take the soil sample.

Do not use tools that are rusty, dirty or made of galvanized metal. A soil probe or auger is strongly recommended for professionals because these tools will expedite the soil sampling process. Use an auger if the soil is very stony or gravelly. If a soil probe or auger is not available, collect the sample using a garden trowel, shovel or spade.

Taking the sample Step #1: Dig down 3" to 4" to the area of the soil that contains the bulk of the plant’s roots. Remove a small, vertical slice of the soil profile from the soil’s surface to a depth of 3" or 4".

Step #2: To ensure that you have a composite sample, repeat the procedure

Fall 2013

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Cover Story • continued

in Step 1 at least 12 to 15 times in different spots of the lawn. Cover the sample area using a zigzag or W pattern.

Do not collect samples from areas that are obviously or significantly different, such as a patch of dead grass or a low spot in the yard.

it, as this may affect the accuracy of the test.

Step #3: Where poor growth exists, separate samples should be taken from both good and bad areas, if possible.

Treat each area as a separate management unit.

Send soil samples to a testing lab that uses methods and procedures approved by the University of Maryland (see sidebar; the MDA website at www.mda. maryland.gov also provides the list).

Submit each sample with its corresponding paperwork.

Laboratories use many different methods to test soil. Not all of these methods provide accurate results or are approved for Maryland soils. Maryland soils are substantially different from soils on the West Coast. Generally, it is best to use a laboratory located in the same geographic region as the soil being tested.

Step #4: Mix the samples thoroughly in a clean bucket, removing roots, rocks, debris and plant material.

Step #5: Fill the soil sample bag with approximately one cup of dry, mixed soil from the composite sample. Do not send wet soil. Allow samples to air dry, if necessary. Do not heat the soil to dry

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MTC Turf News

Step #6: Package the soil sample, identify the management units and include client information for each sample.

Where to send the sample

Interpreting test results Soil-testing laboratories will report levels of phosphorus, potassium and other nutrients. Typically, nitrogen is not reported because it readily converts to nitrate soon after application, and it is very mobile in the soil, making soiltest results for nitrogen difficult to interpret. Nitrogen recommendations for grass depend on the type of grass grown and how the area is used.

Because labs use different methods and procedures to test for nutrients, a single soil sample sent to two different labs will yield different results. Moreover, laboratories differ in the units used to report; some report parts per million (ppm), others report pounds per acre (lbs./acre), and some could use an index.

Most laboratories will also provide fertilizer and lime recommendations.

Maryland law, however, requires lawn care professionals to follow University

Soil-Test Laboratories A&L Eastern Agricultural Laboratories Richmond, VA • (804) 743-9401 www.al-labs-eastern.com Agri Analysis, Inc. Leola, PA • (800) 464-6019 www.agrianalysis.com AgroLab, Inc. Milford, DE • (302) 265-2734 www.agrolab.us Brookside Laboratories New Breman, OH • (419) 977-2766 www.blinc.com CLC Labs * Westerville, OH • (614) 888-1633 Harris Laboratories * Lincoln, NE • (402) 476-0300 agsource.crinet.com/page 3036/turf Logan Laboratories * Lakeview, OH • (888) 494-SOIL www.loganlabs.com Pennsylvania Agricultural Analytical Services University Park, PA • (814) 863-0841 www.aasl.psu.edu Spectrum Analytic, Inc. Washington Court House, OH (800) 321-1562 www.spectrumanalytic.com University of Delaware Soil Testing Program Newark, DE • (302) 831-1392 http://ag.udel.edu/DSTP Virginia Tech * Blacksburg, VA • (540) 231-6893 www.soiltest.vt.edu Waters Agricultural Laboratories, Inc. Camilla, GA • (229) 336-7216 www.watersag.com * Soil-test conversions are available for these labs.

Fall 2013

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Cover Story • continued

of Maryland recommendations when applying nitrogen and phosphorus.

Therefore, do not follow the fertilizer recommendations provided by the lab for those nutrients, as they may differ from Maryland’s recommendations due to assumptions made by the lab, differences in soils, climate and state waterquality policies. Instead, follow the nitrogen and phosphorus recommendations included in University of Maryland Publication TT-115 (for the most current version, visit the Maryland Turfgrass Council’s website, www.mdturf council.org/admin/uploadfiles/tt115. pdf). To confirm that you have the latest update, always check the MDA Nutrient Management website. Lime, potassium and other nutrients included in the soil test results are not regulated under Maryland law.

Maryland recommendations for phosphorus are based on the soil-test categories of low, medium, optimum or excessive, as determined by the Maryland Fertility Index Value (FIV). The University of Maryland’s former soil-testing lab reported the results as FIV numbers.

For quick reference in Maryland, an FIV with a range of 0 to 25 falls in the low category, 26 to 50 is medium, 51 to 100 is optimum, and anything over 100 is excessive.

Many laboratories categorize nutrient levels as low, medium or high. Disregard the category provided by the lab for phosphorus because it may not be the same as Maryland’s categorization.

The University of Maryland has developed formulas to convert nutrient levels reported by approved laboratories to the equivalent Maryland FIV. You must use the actual value reported by the lab for phosphorus or phosphate (P2O5), and Table 1 to determine the Maryland soiltest category. Follow the recommendation for the appropriate soil test category found in TT-115 for turf maintenance, TT-116 for seeding or TT-118 for golf course maintenance. •

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Table 1. Determining the University of Maryland Soil-Test Category

Use the following steps to determine the University of Maryland’s soil-test category.

1. Find the phosphorus value reported by the lab (column one).

2. If more than one result is reported for phosphorus, use the value reported in the units listed in column two, Units Reported, for the lab used.

3. If an extraction method is reported, it should match the method listed in column 3, Extraction Method, for the lab used.

4. Find the range of numbers in column four, Lab P Result, that includes the phosphorus value reported.

5. Follow that line over to the right. The final column, MD Soil Test Category, will tell you the corresponding University of Maryland soil test category.

6. Phosphorus recommendations are based upon UMD’s soil-test category.

Laboratory

A&L Eastern

Agri Analysis (use P2O5 value)

AgroLab

Units Extraction Reported Method

ppm

Mehlich-3

lb. P2O5/ac Mehlich-3

ppm

Mehlich-3

ppm

Mehlich-3

(use easily extractable P, lb./acre P as P2O5)

lb./acre

Mehlich-3

CLC Labs

lb. P/acre

Bray 1

ppm

Bray 1

Logan

lb. P2O5/ ac

Mehlich-3

Penn State

ppm P

Mehlich-3

Spectrum Analytic

ppm

Mehlich-3

Spectrum Analytic

lb./acre

Mehlich-3

University of Delaware

P Index

Mehlich-3

Brookside Labs (use easily extractable P, ppm P)

Brookside Labs

Harris (Make sure the lab knows that the sample is from MD.)

Virginia Tech

lbs. P/acre Mehlich-3

Waters

lbs. P/acre Mehlich-3

Lab P Result

MD SoilTest. Cat.

0–21 22–44 45–90 91+ 0–81 82–193 194–415 416+ 0–21 22–44 45–90 91+ 0–18 19–39 40–81 82+ 0–84 85–181 182–373 374+ 0–22 23–52 53–111 112+ 0–10 11–27 28–60 61+ 0–84 85–181 182–373 374+ 0–16 17–39 40–84 85+ 0–15 16–39 40–86 87+ 0–21 22–54 55–121 122+ 0–18 19–43 44–92 93+ 0–18 19–39 40–81 82+ 0–18 19–39 40–81 82+

low medium optimum excessive low medium optimum excessive low medium optimum excessive low medium optimum excessive low medium optimum excessive low medium optimum excessive low medium optimum excessive low medium optimum excessive low medium optimum excessive low medium optimum excessive low medium optimum excessive low medium optimum excessive low medium optimum excessive low medium optimum excessive

Turf Talk

Got Drainage?

Tips for the Golf Course

By Bob Vavrek, Senior Agronomist, USGA Green Section Editor’s Note: This article appeared in the November 16, 2011, edition of the USGA Green Section Record.

H

ave you ever noticed an accumulation of water along the perimeter of a putting surface during and after a heavy thunderstorm, especially where the green transitions into collar or approach? If so, these low, poorly drained sites can be highly susceptible to crown hydration or icesuffocation winterkill.

During summer, these perimeter puddles will disappear quickly as water percolates through the soil. These puddles can persist much longer, however, when there is frost in the ground, and the combination of standing water plus cold temperatures is the classic recipe for severe winter injury.

Any combination of factors — such as poor design, poor construction technique, settling or an excessive accumulation of sand topdressing in the collar — can hinder the flow of excess water off the putting surface. Regardless of why it occurs, it’s not too late in the season to address at least a few of your green’s worst perimeter drainage problems.

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Option 1

Use a sod cutter or Miltona sod stripper to create a channel from the lowest point where water pools along the perimeter of the green through the elevated collar or approach. Extend this canal or gutter into an outfall off the green that is lower than the puddle. Wrap the strip of sod in a geotextile fabric, and place it in a nearby bunker. It may survive the winter and can be used to repair the trench in spring.

Where is the lowest (deepest) point in the problem puddle? That can be difficult to determine unless standing water is present during the excavation process.

Visit the site during or right after heavy rainfall, and place an irrigation flag in the deepest water before it percolates into the soil. You can fake rain with an irrigation hose or slowly dump a few five-gallon buckets of water above the problem areas to produce a puddle.

Paint a dot on the putting surface where you placed the flag. Refresh the paint as necessary until you strip the turf.

Another option is to mark the deepest part of the puddle by pushing a nail deep into the turf. A metal detector can be used to find the spot later.

Option 2 Cultivate the area of the collar or approach that is impeding surface drainage with 5/8" hollow tines. Remove the cores, and water as much as necessary to soften the soil. Use a heavy (up to oneton) roller across the cultivated site to slowly lower the grade of the elevated turf to the point where surface drainage is restored. The open holes will provide space for the soil to shift under the weight of the roller. Several coring/ rolling operations may be required to attain the desired result.

Option 3 Obviously, the most permanent onestep remedy is to strip the elevated collar or approach, lower the grade to facilitate surface drainage and then replace

the sod. Altering the grade of a collar or putting surface sounds simple, but it can be one of the more tedious and frustrating undertakings you will ever attempt on the golf course.

A considerable amount of sod will need to be removed and replaced if a smooth transition from the disturbed to undisturbed turf is desired. Making subtle and seamless changes in elevation across a highly visible and heavily used area of the course is as much an art as a science. However, the experience you gain during the first excavation will pay dividends during any subsequent attempts to re-grade a collar or approach.

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

Improving drainage is always hard work, but it’s still much easier to address drainage problems around greens during late fall when golfers are away, versus the highly stressful process of seeding or sodding winterkilled turf on greens during spring when golfers are breathing down your neck. •

Fall 2013

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Calendar of Events

Index of Advertisers

October 1 MTC Golf Tournament for Turfgrass Research University of Maryland Golf Course College Park, MD

January 8–10, 2014

All States Turfgrass Consultants, LLC.........5

Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS)

www.basf.com

Baltimore Convention Center Baltimore, MD

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

January 21–24, 2014

Central Sod Farms of Maryland, Inc......9, 17

STMA Annual Conference

October 23 UMD Turfgrass Field Day University of Maryland Paint Branch Turfgrass Research Farm College Park, MD

ASLA - Annual Meeting & Expo (American Society of Landscape Architects) Boston Convention & Expo. Center Boston, MA Contact: www.asla.org

January 6–7, 2014 36th Annual MTC Turfgrass Conference & Trade Show Adele H. Stamp Student Union University of Maryland College Park, MD

www.buysod.com www.centralsodmd.com

Chesapeake Valley Seed.............................7

(Sports Turf Managers Assn.)

Grand Hyatt Hotel San Antonio, TX

www.chesapeakevalleyseed.com

January 27–30

CoverSports USA......................................17

VTC 54th Annual Turf & Landscape Conference and Trade Show

November 15–18

BASF........................................................12

Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center Fredericksburg, VA

February 5–6 Golf Industry Show Orange County Convention Center Orlando, FL

February 24–28 TPI Mid-Winter Conference (Turf Producers Intl.)

Orlando, FL

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

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

Fisher & Son Company Inc.......... Back Cover www.fisherandson.com

Leading Edge Communications.................13 www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com

Maryland Turfgrass Association.......................Inside Front Cover Oakwood Sod Farm, Inc.............................7 www.oakwoodsod.com

Smith Seed Services.................................17 www.smithseed.com

The Turfgrass Group.............................3, 15 www.theturfgrassgroup.com

Winfield Solutions, LLC...............................7

University of maryland turfgrass team Pete Dernoeden, Ph.D.

Tom Turner, Ph.D.

Mark Carroll, Ph.D.

Kevin Mathias, Ph.D.

Dave Funk

Professor Emeritus University of Maryland College Park, MD 301-405-1337 pd@umd.edu

Dept. of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture University of Maryland College Park, MD 301-403-4431 tturner@umd.edu

Dept. of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture University of Maryland College Park, MD 301-405-1339 mcarroll@umd.edu

Institute of Applied Ag. University of Maryland College Park, MD 301-405-4692 jkm@umd.edu

Paint Branch Turfgrass Research Facility University of Maryland College Park, MD 301-403-8195 dfunk@umd.edu

MTC Turf News is the Maryland Turfgrass Council magazine. Subscriptions are complimentary to MTC members. The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the association, its staff, its board of directors, MTC Turf News, or its editors.

Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or their identification as MTC members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in any issue of MTC Turf News. Copyright © 2013 by the Maryland Turfgrass Council. MTC Turf News is published quarterly. Presorted standard postage is paid at Nashville, TN. Printed in the U.S.A. Reprints and Submissions: MTC allows reprinting of material published here. Permission requests should be directed to MTC. We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs. Contact the managing editor for contribution information. Advertising: For display and classified advertising rates and insertions, please contact Leading Edge Communications, LLC, 206 Bridge Street, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 790-3718, Fax (615) 794-4524.

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MTC Turf News