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TURFGRASS COUNCIL
303 S. Talbot Street #389 St. Michaels, MD 21663 ExecDir@MDTurfCouncil.com www.mdturfcouncil.org
MTC Turf News is published quarterly for the MTC by:
Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street, Suite 200 Franklin, TN 37064
Phone: 615-790-3718 Fax: 615-794-4524 info@leadingedge communications.com
2023 MTC OFFICERS & BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT
Brandon Sands Manager of Ground Services Howard County Public Schools System 8800 Ridge Road Ellicott
CONTENTS • SPRING 2023
SECRETARY
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Ben Ellis – Superintendent The Courses at Andrews 2806 Brewster Rd. Waldorf, MD 20601 571-340-0122 (c Golfturf54@gmail.com
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Vernon W. Cooper 303 S. Talbot St #389 St. Michaels, MD 21663 410-745-9643 (o & h 410-745-8867 (f 443-742-6618 (c ExecDir@MDTurfCoucil.com
Three-Year Director Terms Randy Finn Antietam Tree & Turf 405 N. Burhams Blvd Hagerstown, MD 21740 301-667-4208 (c 301-791-3500 (o JRF@AntietamTree.com
Brian Haga Scientific Plant Services P.O. Box 62 Brooklandville, MD 21022 410-321-0970 (o 410-371-2325 (c Brianh@spsonline.com
Perry Whaley Newsom Seed P.O. Box 510 1788 Scaggsville Rd. Fulton, MD 20759 240-554-0359 (o 540-671-8226 (c Perry@NewsomSeed.com
Two-Year Director Terms Catherine Abramavage Central Sod Farms 920 John Brown Rd. Centreville, MD 21617 410-827-5000 (o Catherine@CentralSodMD.com
Fred Johnson MNCPPC – Dept. of Parks & Recreation 301 Watkins Park Drive 240-882-4539 (c 301-218-6833 (o Frederick.Johnson@pgParks.com
Stephen King McHale Landscape Design 6216 Leapley Rd 240-319-5689 (c stephenk@mchalelandscape.com
One-Year Director Terms Matt Coates MNCPPC-Hyattsville 7721 Polk Street Hyattsville, MD 20785 301-918-4716 (o 202-579-6939 (c Matthew.Coates88@gmail.com Logan Freeman – Superintendent Mountain Branch Golf Club 1827 Mountain Road Joppa, MD 21085 208-866-6380 (c Lfreeman@mountainbranch.com
Amanda Stillwagon Calvert Co. Park & Safety Div. Chief 175 Main Street Prince Frederick, MD 20678 410-610-3959 (o 704-877-8810 (c Amanda.Stillwagon@ Calvertcountymd.gov
GROWING TOGETHER
Itlooks like we’ve escaped with a very mild winter. Now that the temperature is rising and things are greening up and blooming, we are all entering our busy season. As we hit the ground running, it’s important to make sure we are taking care of our staff and ourselves. With continued staffing shortages, local, state, and federal regulations, our jobs are getting harder every year. Some of the only things we have to rely on are our dedicated workers, ourselves, and the people we surround ourselves with. Also remember, a little appreciation here and there can go a long way. The MTC is dedicated to being here for support, guidance, and lending an ear to ALL our members and colleagues.
As we move through the year, here are some upcoming dates to remember for re-certification, field days, and networking opportunities…
• MSFMA (formerly MASTMA) Field Day St. Paul School – June 21, 2023
• Procrastinators Re-cert (virtual) – June 23, 2023
• University of MD Field Day – July 18, 2023
• Early bird Re-cert (live) Eastern Shore – August 16, 2023
Please look for other events as we move through the year. These are great events to meet some of the best suppliers and professionals in our region. They are also great networking events to spend the day with your peers and colleagues from around the industry.
Let’s keep growing together!
Your President,
Brandon SandsMARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rick Boldissar
Turf & Seed Section
50 Harry S Truman Parkway
Annapolis, MD 21401
Work: 410-841-5968 • Cell: 443-791-2896
Rick.boldissar@maryland.gov
Kelly Love
Pesticide Regulation
50 Harry S Truman Parkway
Annapolis, MD 21401 410-841-5710 • kelly.love@maryland.gov
Judy McGowan
Urban Nutrient Management
50 Harry S Truman Parkway Annapolis, MD 21401 410-841-5955 • judy.mcgowan@maryland.gov
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND: DEPARTMENT OF PLANT SCIENCE & LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
Dr. Mark Carroll
Environmental & Pesticides
2132 Plant Science Bld. College Park, MD 20742
Campus: 301-405-1339 • Farm: 301-314-6303 mcarroll@umd.edu
Dr. Thomas Turner, Professor Emeritus
Turfgrass Nutrients / Extension
395 Green Meade Dr. College Park, MD 20740-3721
Farm: 301-314-6302 • tturner@umd.edu
Dr. Peter Dernoeden
Professor Emeritus 18086 White Oak Dr. Milton, DE 19968 301-314-6300 • pd@umd.edu
Dr. Fereshteh Shahoveisi
Assistant Professor, Plant Pathology 2110 Plant Science Bld. 4291 Fieldhouse Dr., College Park, MD 20742 301-405-4355 • fsh@umd.edu
David Funk Turf Farm Manager 395 Green Meade Dr. College Park, MD 20740-3721 301-314-6300 • dfunk@umd.edu
INSTITUTE OF APPLIED AGRICULTURE:
Geoffrey Rinehart
Turfgrass Management 2113 Jull Hall 4196 Stadium Dr. College Park, MD 20742 301-405-4692 • rinehart@umd.edu
Dr. Kevin Mathias Professor Emeritus College Park, MD • jkm@umd.edu
A BUSY SEASON AHEAD
Well, it looks like much of winter has passed and spring has certainly sprung into action. The MTC also has been busy preparing activities, functions, and recertifications that will benefit you and your business.
I am a little late getting dues notices out this year and I apologize. I fell midJanuary, which resulted in several weeks of lying flat with a leg elevated, making it next to impossible to get to my office. Then my trip to the doctor to get clearance to resume activities resulted in catching Covid, which knocked me down for a number of more weeks. I’m glad to report all is mended and I am back to work, but dues renewals are running late. If you have not yet paid your dues, you may do so with the form found on page 11, or I will be sending out dues notifications very soon. We want everyone to enjoy their membership discount.
• FRIDAY MAY 12 is the 42nd Annual Shields Memorial Golf Tournament being held at the University of Maryland Golf Course. This continues to be a major fund raiser for the IAA Scholarships and activity Funds. Go to https:// bit.ly/3ZTsJsy to sign up to play and to become a hole sponsor.
• FRIDAY, JUNE 23 will be the PROCRASTINATORS Virtual Pesticide/Fertilizer Recertification Class. This will be your LAST opportunity to get you required CEU’s for your Pesticide License and to complete a couple CEU’s for the 6 you are required to have every three years to renew your Fertilizer Applicator License. Application can be found on page 12 in this magazine or by contacting the MTC Office. The cost to Members is Free. Non-Members is $75.00.
• TUESDAY, JULY 18 is the next University of Maryland Turfgrass Research Field Day. Dr. Fereshteh Shahoveisi promises a great day of sharing information as we all visit her new test plots this year as well as hearing from Dr. Carroll and others on their continuing research to help us all do better in this transition zone. Watch for more information coming.
• WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16 will be the EARLY BIRD In-Person Pesticide/Fertilizer Recertification Class. This will be the first class of the 2023/24 year to get your CEU’s for your Pesticide Applicators License as well as the 2 CEU credits required for your Fertilizer Applicator License for the calendar year. This class is held in Easton at the Talbot Agriculture and Education Center for those who prefer not to go to the Western Shore. Forms and more information are forthcoming. The cost to Members is Free. Non-Members is $75.00.
• TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12 is the date to reserve for the 48th Annual Winter Turfgrass Conference and Trade Show at the Turf Valley Resort and Spa. Watch for plenty of information and forms, as well as Member discounts, to arrive in the future.
As always, feel free to contact the MTC office anytime for additional information, forms or concerns.
Thanks,
Vernon Cooper MTC Executive DirectorWe have lots of activities coming your way so MARK YOUR CALENDAR TODAY!
Gold Tag Certified Seed QUALITY SEED FOR SOD PRODUCTION
Gold Tag certi ed seed is Pennington’s highest standard for seed purity. We ensure that our seed is free of all crop and weed seed* when sold as Pennington® Gold Tag Seed Our increased scrutiny ensures our customers are receiving the best sod quality seed available.
*Our Pennington®
two separate seed testing labs. While guaranteeing any lot of seed as being completely free of crop and weed seed is not possible, our testing procedures offer Pennington’s highest veri cation.
Sod Wrap & Field Net
Sod Wrap
• Used for wrapping large turf rolls
• Protection from weather conditions
• Reduces turf loss during harvest, transport, & install
• Can remain on sod or be removed during install
• Consistently reduces waste, labor, and costs by providing a faster installation than slab method
Available Sizes: 29” X 12,000’ | 40” X 12,000’ | 46” X 12,000’
Available in clear on 3” cardboard core
Field Net
• Installed immediately after seed has been planted
• Helps seed grow in consistent strong structure
• Roots intertwine with netting for stability and to help prevent separation from soil when rolled
• Less time for growers to harvest crop, reducing costs
Available Sizes: 17’ X 20,000’ | 17’ X 25,000*
Available in green & brown** on 6” PVC core
* Special order item
**Direct ship only
MICHAEL GANTT
803-608-5627
MTC DUES ARE LATE!
am a little late getting dues notices out this year and I apologize. As noted in my letter on page 8, I was delayed by injury and illness, but have now returned to the office.
The MTC Dues year runs from February 1 to January 31 the following year. So, your dues paid now are good until January 31, 2024. This allows you “member discounts” at all MTC events including the 2023 MTC Annual Winter Conference on December 12, 2023 at Turf Valley Resort.
Membership numbers in the MTC have continually increased, with right now we have 1275+ members and are glad to have you and your crew as members.
The MTC, as an umbrella organization of all the Turfgrass Industries and Suppliers in Maryland and the surrounding area is open to any Turfgrass Professional or Supplier in the area.
One benefit of membership is our constantly monitoring legislation, both State and Local, that can greatly affect our industry and livelihood. It is so important when we go to testify before the legislature or other organizations to be able to say that we are here representing a large number of Turfgrass Professionals, including you. If you are aware of possible legislation or rule changes in your area, please notify us so we can join the fight.
Additionally, your dues help support the University of Maryland Turfgrass Research and other Turfgrass Programs including their students in both the 4-year and 2-year programs, as well as promoting quality turfgrass production and maintenance, making turf and playing surfaces safer for our children and improving the State’s waterway including the Chesapeake Bay.
Another way you can help support the University Turf Programs and promote Quality Turfgrass is by becoming a Turfgrass Education Sponsor There are several levels of support you can do from being a “Patron” all the way up to being an “Advocate” Supporter. Below you will find more explanations of what being a Turfgrass Education Sponsor means and the ways we are willing to show your generosity to the entire organization.
Lastly, for the past five years, our Treasurer Katy has designed and created a lap quilt using natural turf and plant patterned material. This year’s is still in process so we do not have a picture to show you, but Pam King at Middleton Manor Turf Farms in Waldorf was the lucky winner of the raffle last year. Tickets are $10 each or 3 for $20 and all proceeds are utilized for research. The drawing will be held during the Trade Show at the December Conference.
So please send in your dues today and encourage your crew, competitors, and suppliers all to become members. •
MTC “Turfgrass Education Sponsors Programs”
Since we are dealing with so many unknowns this year due to Covid-19 and Government Restrictions we are listing benefits for both “In Person” and “Virtual” functions – Thanks for bearing with us!!
ALL MTC Functions, including Recertification Classes
Your Company Name and Sponsorship will be shown on ALL our Letterhead
List your Company and have your Web Page linked from the MTC Web ‘Sponsors” Page
List your Company and have your Web Page linked from All the MTC E-Blasts
Quarterly we blast an advertisement of your choice, for your company to the MTC blast list
Single booth at Turfgrass 2023 is free of charge or Virtual Presentation between speakers
SUGGESTED DONATION
$2500
Your Company Name and Sponsorship will be shown on ALL our Letterhead
List your Company and have your Web Page linked from the MTC Web ‘Sponsors” Page
List your Company and have your Web Page linked from All the MTC E-Blasts
Yearly, we blast an advertisement of your choice for your company
To the MTC
Your Company Name and Sponsorship will be shown on ALL our Letterhead
Your Company Name and Sponsorship will be shown on ALL our Letterhead if space allows
Your Company Name and Sponsorship will be shown on ALL our Letterhead if space allows
SUGGESTED DONATION $1000
SUGGESTED DONATION $500
SUGGESTED DONATION $250
SUGGESTED DONATION
Whatever you can help with.
MARYLAND TURFGRASS COUNCIL’S
2023 Membership Dues and Turfgrass Education Sponsor Form
MTC DUES AND SPONSOR YEAR IS FEB 1, 2023 TO JANUARY 31, 2024.
Do you prefer receiving notices and forms by E-Mail or U.S. Mail? TYPE
• (1–5 employees)*
• (6–10 employees)* $500 (Silver)
• (11–15 employees)* ......................................................................................................................................................................$750 (Gold)
• (16 –20 employees)*
• (21+ employees)* $1,500 (Palladium)
Additional Company Members: (Please list on back or attach a listing of additional members with addresses, e-mail, and phone numbers if different)*
TYPE OF TURFGRASS EDUCATION SPONSORS
Sponsorship $ ADVOCATE Help us help the University of Maryland $2,500 BENEFACTOR Spread the importance of Turfgrass Education $1,000 SUPPORTER $500 BACKER (Sponsor benefits are listed on page 10) ..............................................................................................................$250 PATRON (whatever amount you can help with is greatly appreciated) ................................................................................$
QUILT FOR RESEARCH TICKETS ( $10 Each or 3 for $20 )
PAYMENT TYPE ( Dues and Sponsorships may be combined in a single payment )
Check made to MTC Credit Card (MC, Visa, Discover or AmEx)
Name as it appears on credit card (if different from above) |
Address where card is billed (if different from above) |
Total Quilt $
Total Payment $
TOTAL PAYMENT |
Office: 410-745-9643
Fax: 410-745-8867
Card Number | Exp. Date | 3 or 4 digit code | MAIL or EMAIL or FAX FORM TO: Vernon W. Cooper, Executive Director OR OR Maryland Turfgrass Council 303 S. Talbot St. #389 St. Michaels, MD 21663 ExecDir@MDTurfCouncil.com
Cell: 443-742-6618
Do you still need to earn CEU’s to renew your MD Pesticide and / or MD Fertilizer Applicator Licenses?
You are invited to attend a combined virtual class from the comfort of your home or office to obtain the Recertification Credits to renew your Pesticide and / or Fertilizer Applicator Licenses on Friday, June 23, 2023
Once the program is finalized, we will be requesting Recertification Credits for both MD Pesticide Applicator Categories 3A, 3C, 6, & 10 plus Fertilizer applicator CEU’s.
If you should also need credits for a surrounding jurisdiction (DC, DE, VA, WV, PA) please indicate on this form and submit PRIOR to May 20, 2023. Cost
Kevin Atticks was appointed Acting Secretary of Agriculture on Jan. 18, 2023 and sworn in as Secretary on March 2, 2023. Prior to his appointment, Atticks was CEO (and founder) of Grow & Fortify, a non-profit that supports valueadded agricultural organizations and the businesses they represent. Grow & Fortify published the first assessment of the state’s value-added agricultural industry, illustrating the expansive impact generated by this sector, which includes wineries, creameries, meat processing, agritourism, equine and dozens of other industry segments.
Atticks was also the Executive Director of the Maryland Wineries Association, Brewers Association of Maryland and the Maryland Distillers Guild, and served as the President of the Maryland Agricultural Resource Council, and the Chair of the WineAmerica State & Regional Associations Advisory Council.
Atticks formerly served on the University of Maryland College of Agriculture’s Global Leadership Council, the board of Future Harvest and the board of the Maryland Tourism Coalition.
Originally from Bowie, Maryland, Atticks graduated with a journalism degree from Loyola University Maryland. Shortly thereafter, Atticks received a master’s degree from the University of Colorado in Boulder, CO. He later earned his doctorate in communications design from University of Baltimore. He holds a faculty position at Loyola University Maryland where he teaches book publishing. •
The Jim Claxton Memorial Scholarship
TURFGRASS PRODUCERS OF MARYLAND, INC.
“Save
ADMINISTERED BY THE TURFGRASS PRODUCERS OF MARYLAND
The Jim Claxton Scholarship Fund was initiated in 2011 in order to honor Jim and his contributions to the Mid-Atlantic turfgrass industry, while financially supporting students in pursuit of a college degree. Jim worked as a salesman for Newsom Seed from the early 1990’s until shortly before his passing in 2013. He made great contributions to turfgrass-related businesses during this period, especially businesses directly involved in turf production. The Jim Claxton Scholarship Fund allows for an award to be issued to a winning applicant prior to the Fall college semester in the amount of $500.00. If the Scholarship Fund allows, additional applicants may be awarded. Previous winners of the Jim Claxton Scholarship may re-apply. Preference may be given to students enrolled in a turfgrass related field or with experience in turfgrass production.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
• Applicant must be a current high school senior, or enrolled in a two or fouryear college/university program. Proof of enrollment may be requested by the Scholarship Committee after application submittal.
• Applicant should reside in the Mid-Atantic area or be enrolled in a college/university in the Mid-Atlantic area. Preference may be awarded to students residing or attending school in Maryland or one of its adjoining states.
• Applicant should have earned a high school or college level GPA of at least 2.50.
• General application, current transcript, one-page essay, and up to two letters of recommendation must be submitted by mail or email by 5/31/23.
ESSAY PROMPT
Please submit a one-page essay outlining your career objectives in your chosen field, and your connection to the turfgrass industry. Application Checklist (online application available at https://tinyurl.com/mem5fk9c)
• General Application Form
• Resume
• One-Page Essay (prompt outlined above)
• Transcript
• Up to two letters of recommendation (1 letter is required)
SENDING YOUR APPLICATION
We are accepting applications by mail or email. To email, send your application and all accompanying documents to sara@newsomseed.com by 4:00PM on 5/31/23.
To mail your application & documents, send to:
TURFGRASS PRODUCERS OF MARYLAND
P.O. Box 389 • St. Michaels, MD 21663
the Bay — Sod Today”
JIM CLAXTON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION 2023
Last Name: First Name: Middle Initial:
Date of Birth: Gender: US Citizen? (circle): Y N
If not a United States Citizen, state your type of US residency:
Current Address: City: State: Zip Code:
Cell Phone Number: Home Phone Number:
Current / Intended Field of Study or Major: College or University Attending: College / University Address: City: State: Zip Code:
Will you be taking 12 or more credit hours this coming semester? (circle): Y N
List any academic awards, extracurricular activities, leadership roles, etc. not found on your attached resume that you would like the Scholarship Committee to know about (if applicable). Add additional pages if needed.
Applicant Signature: Date:
Please contact Sara at sara@newsomseed.com if you have any questions about the application.
Turfgrass Producers of Maryland, Inc. “Save the Bay — Sod Today”
SAVE THE DATE for These Events!
Dear Shields Tournament Supporter and Sponsor,
The 42nd Annual Shields Memorial Golf Tournament will be held at University of Maryland Golf Course on Friday, May 12, 2023. We have been grateful for the support of the Shields families for many decades and their continued support. The Shields Tournament supports student scholarships and the Turfgrass program at the Institute of Applied Agriculture, University of Maryland. As of March 2023, approximately 140 scholarships have been awarded, totaling more than $160,000 using funds raised from the Shields Memorial Tournament. In addition, proceeds from the Shields Memorial have covered student travel to various professional meetings and competitions.
This year, we sent seven students to national competitions in the areas of golf course and sports turf management and our top UMD team placed 3rd in the SFMA Student Challenge “2-year division” in Salt Lake City, UT and 6th in the Collegiate Turf Bowl in Orlando, FL. These two accomplishments illustrate the quality and reputation of excellence in our Turfgrass Management program at the University of Maryland.
We would like you to be a sponsor for the 2023 tournament. The sponsorship fee is $350, and sponsors will be recognized at individual holes and at our sponsors board adjacent to the clubhouse. Your sponsorship donation is tax deductible and will be used to support the turfgrass program at the Institute of Applied Agriculture.
We would also love to have you come out and play. The $130 player fee covers the greens fee, cart, range balls, oncourse beverages, prizes for the top team and a pot-tournament dinner at the American Legion in College Park. Continuing the Shields Tournament tradition, teams will be groups of six. If you do not have six, no worry, we will pair you up. Registration begins at 7:30 with Shotgun play starting at 9 AM.
The positive impact of your contribution not only includes the scholarship recipients to date, but also the hundreds of students who have benefitted from attending professional meetings and the hands-on use of state-of-the-art field and laboratory equipment used in our turfgrass management courses.
Thank you in advance for your continued support and sponsorship.
Once again, thank you for support of this program!
Geoffrey Rinehart, Lecturer / Advisor ProgramROUGH BLUEGRASS
Can Be
YOUR WORST LAWN NIGHTMARE
By Peter H. Dernoeden, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus, University of MarylandRough bluegrass (aka Poa trivialis, Poa triv., roughstalk bluegrass) is an extremely common perennial grass weed in lawns and golf courses in the mid-Atlantic. Rough bluegrass looks like Kentucky bluegrass in that leaves have a boat-shaped tip and there are two parallel lines down the middle of upper leaf surfaces. Unlike Kentucky bluegrass, RBG foliage has a yellow-green color. As noted below, however, from late autumn to late winter RBG leaves are darker green and blend into lawns composed of tall fescue and/or Kentucky bluegrass. It is mostly in spring and summer that RBG foliage appears more yellow-green. Hence, RBG often goes unnoticed for long periods, especially when plant numbers and sizes are small. Rough bluegrass did not become a major problem in turf until the 1980’s. The reason is that RBG was being developed as the answer to growing turf in wet and shaded areas. It was introduced in shady seed mixes, which still exist today, and it can be a contaminant in non-certified seed. Rough bluegrass is now recognized to be an extremely noxious and invasive perennial weed in all cool-season turfs in our region.
Tufts of plants are easily detached or rolled back from lawn surfaces, exposing long (3" to 5"), white tillers that trail close to the surface (i.e., procumbent). These white tillers behave like runners or stolons, but younger ones do not usually produce roots. Eventually, as one tiller trails over the next, the lower runners root and behave like stolons. The underside of RBG leaves usually is shiny, but this characteristic may or may not be evident. Further, Kentucky bluegrass produces an abundance of seedheads (usually in May); whereas RBG produces few seedheads, usually in late May and June and sometimes sporadically throughout summer. Conversely, the underside of Kentucky bluegrass leaves are not shiny;
there are no long, white trailing tillers or stolons, and plants produce an abundance of blue-green seedheads-usually in May. The most reliable distinguishing characteristics of RBG are its yellow-green color in spring and summer and its white trailing tillers. Trailing stems enable one to easily detach tufts or roll back a mass of plants easily, thus exposing rooted stolons underneath the canopy. Rough bluegrass produces far fewer seedheads than Kentucky bluegrass, which appear in late May following the flush of annual bluegrass and Kentucky bluegrass seedheads. Unlike Kentucky bluegrass, RBG plants can produce a few inconspicuous seedheads during summer months.
Rough bluegrass plants cannot be darkened substantially by applying nitrogen fertilizer or iron. For most homeowners, RBG is highly objectionable, and when summer hits it can become a lawn nightmare. For LCO’s, it is an intractable problem. Rough bluegrass usually is most invasive in shaded and wet areas, but spreads rapidly into sunny areas, including non-irrigated lawns.
weather accumulate much more heat than well drained areas. Furthermore, warm water contains very little oxygen. Basically, a sunny, hot and wet environment “cooks” or “scalds” RBG causing plants to turn bronze or brown, collapse and matt. Conversely, cool to cold water holds more oxygen, does not accumulate a lot of heat and thus does not cause problems in RBG during spring and autumn. While RBG foliage appears dead, it is NOT to be. All of the leaves and tillers may be brown and dead looking, but tiny buds on stolons and stem bases invariably survive wilt-induced dormancy and scald events. Where water puddles, however, the heat can kill all plants, however there invariably are plants close by that survive, recover and spread into voids. To be sure, simply collect several of the brown trailing tillers and stolons, and carefully peel off all of the dead tissue. Using a hand lens, look for either some green tissue underneath brown sheaths and/or for small, white buds (smaller than a pinhead) on stems. Recovery usually becomes evident by November, but sometimes a dense RBG cover does not appear until spring.
What makes RBG so noxious is that its trailing tillers and stolons out-compete the more desirable tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass. I have seen lawns in mixed sun and shade environments to have up to 75% RBG cover. A major problem with RBG is that it rapidly turns brown during very dry periods, even during a spring drought. During summer, when there are heavy rain events, followed by sunny and hot weather, RBG develops a bronzed appearance and abruptly collapses and mats in sunny areas of the lawn.
Matting of shoots is a sure sign that too much water combined with heat was involved in the browning and/or apparent death of RBG. What is difficult to explain to home owners is how heavy rains play a major role in its demise in summer. After all, RBG is highly adapted to wet soils. Very wet soils (including sandy soils) persisting for several days in sunny and hot
MANAGEMENT
As previously noted, the striking yellow-green presence of RBG in the spring and summer cannot be effectively masked with iron or nitrogen. Once RBG has been summer stressed (especially by drought or scald) and dead-looking, the best approach to improve the appearance of collapsed RBG lawn areas is to power-rake and otherwise physically remove the dead RBG tissue and re-seed or sod bare areas with tall fescue or other desirable species. Please appreciate that this will not eliminate the basic problem, but enough tall fescue may be able to compete and mask the problem.
Rough bluegrass cannot be safely and effectively removed with any herbicide currently on the market. There are a few herbicides that can phytotoxically suppress RBG, but turf injury is usually unacceptable, and RBG invariably survives. PoaCure (methiozolin) is an herbicide that has good activity. PoaCure, however, is only legal to use on golf courses and normally multiple applications are required for good results. For LCO’s –there are no good long-term options. You do, however have a fighting chance when only a few small plants are evident and before any seed has been produced by spot-treating RBG plants with Round-up (glyphosate), or remove them by digging, and re-seed or sod into dead spots.
Where RBG dominates, the recommendation would be to renovate with Round-up (glyphosate). The harsh reality is that one application of Round-up will not kill all stolons. Waiting 30 – 40 days between Round-up applications would help, but hardly would be practical. Even if you had spectacular results
with a Round-up renovation, RBG invariably survives as seed or maybe an odd bud on a stolon. The only recourse is to renovate and then to vigilantly physically or chemically remove plants as they re-appear. Simply stated, RBG is an exasperating and intractable problem for homeowners and LCO’s. Until an effective and safe herbicide is commercialized for lawns, RBG will continue to be a major lawn nightmare. •