Tennessee Turfgrass - April / May 2012

april / may 2012

The Official Publication of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association, the Tennessee Valley Sports Turf Managers Association and the Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association

The Secrets to Successful

Sod Installation Bermudagrass Control in Tall Fescue and Zoysiagrass Managing Putting Greens Under Stress

The Official Publication of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association, Tennessee Valley Sports Turf Managers Association and the Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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APRIL/MAY 2012

FEATURED ARTICLES

12 16 21 26 28

Cover Story — The Secrets to Successful Sod Installation Applied Research — Bermudagrass Control in Tall Fescue and Zoysiagrass Turf Talk — Managing Putting Greens under Stress Turf Tips — Maximize Your Granular Applications

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Turf Basics — Trade Names of Herbicides Labeled for Use in Turf

DEPARTMENTS From the TTA President, Bob McCurdy

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From the TVSTMA President, Wayne Treadway

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From the MAGCSA President, Jerry Craven

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Turf Kudos to Paul Carter, CGCS

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Calendar of Events

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Index of Advertisers

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Front cover photo courtesy of Bobby Winstead of Winstead Turf Farms, which hosted the 2006 TPI Summer Convention in Memphis.

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FROM THE TTA PRESIDENT Bob McCurdy

How You Do

Anything

Is How You Do

Everything That’s

the slogan for our Gibson County Girls Basketball team.

They put it on everything — banners, tee shirts, bumpers, lockers and anything that stands still long enough. In the past three seasons, the team has won the state tournament twice.

Every time I read the slogan, I have to stop and think about what it means, and I feel obliged to come up with some type of applicable example. Does this mean that how we service our equipment is how we treat our dog? That may be a little extreme,

but I think it is safe to say that how well your mower is maintained has a lot to do with the condition of your greens. Likewise, how well your sprayer is calibrated is probably a good indication of whether you are capable of selecting the right herbicide for the job.

What about safety? A monthly safety meeting does not mean that you won’t suffer an accident, but it might, just like a routine checkup won’t keep you from getting sick, but it could.

And how about how you treat others?

Your family and your employees are watching how you handle a situation.

Are you fair? How you treat your competitors is a good indication of how you treat your neighbors.

Apply the motto to your involvement with our organization. To be a turfgrass professional, it’s not necessary to be a part of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association. But it can go a long way, if you are willing to engage. Ask a friend, or even better yet, ask a competitor to join TTA. Both of you will be glad you did.

Bob McCurdy 2012–2013 TTA President

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS APRIL/MAY 2012 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com

The Tennessee 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, Tennessee Turfgrass Magazine, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or 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 Š2012 by the Tennessee Turfgrass Association. Tennessee Turfgrass is published bi-monthly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association. Third-class postage is paid at Nashville, TN. Printed in the U.S.A. Reprints and Submissions: Tennessee Turfgrass allows reprinting of material.

Permission requests should be directed to the Tennessee Turfgrass Association. 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.

FROM THE TVSTMA PRESIDENT Wayne Treadway

Soil Testing...

A Valuable Tool S

pring is just around the corner. I’m sure some sports turf managers are already going wide open with spring baseball, softball, soccer and other spring sports.

I’m lucky, in that baseball and softball are the only sports played on our fields. Even with less activity than most, I’m still busy managing the fields.

I just received the results of our most recent soil test. The results let me know the nutrients I need to have a healthy turf. With good records over a number of years, a turf manager can see a trend in nutrient management. Less soluble nutrients, like phosphorus and potassium, can build up. If your results each year are low, a higher rate may be needed. Applying too high of an amount, though, can cause problems. The soil profile is just like a bucket, and it overflows if you put too much in the bucket. An overflowing bucket is a black mark on all of us in turf management. These extra nutrients go into lakes and streams, and this situation adds regulations and laws that affect all of us.

Plant growth and color are good indicators of soluble nutrient needs.

Soluble nutrients like nitrogen do not directly show up in basic soil tests, although they can be requested. Leaf tissue testing would probably be a better choice. Intense monitoring of soluble nutrients is needed, since they also can reach rivers and streams by runoff and leaching into the groundwater.

All of us must monitor our turf by testing. Applying only the needed nutrients brings praise from the public and compliments on our good turf management.

Applying excessive nutrients costs us directly in our budgets and indirectly by increased environmental rules and regulations. Soil testing is a very valuable tool and should be used frequently.

Wayne Treadway 2012 TVSTMA President

2012 TVSTMA Meeting Schedule May 14–15 Sports Turf Field Day (held in conjunction with the Alabama Turfgrass Association) University of Alabama – Huntsville Huntsville, TN

June 26–27 STMA Mid-American Regional Conference & Trade Show Cincinnati, OH

July 25 West Tennessee Meeting (morning meeting, with baseball game at noon) Jackson Generals Jackson, TN

The Official Publication of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association, the Tennessee Valley Sports Turf Managers Association and the Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association

Tennessee Turfgrass is the official publication of The Tennessee Turfgrass Association 400 Franklin Road Franklin, Tennessee 37069 (615) 591-8286 tnturfgrassassn@aol.com www.ttaonline.org Published by Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, Tennessee 37064 (615) 790-3718 Fax (615) 794-4524 Email:info@leadingedge communications.com Editor Mr. Bill Marbet TTA OFFICERS President Bob McCurdy McCurdy Sod Farms (731) 692-3515 Vice President Paul Carter Bear Trace at Harrison Bay (423) 344-6374 Secretary/Treasurer Theo Lankford Clarkland Sports Fields (615) 799-8664 Past President Jay Willis Glen Eagle Golf Course (901) 508-1986 Executive Secretary Jim Uden Tennessee Turfgrass Assn.

(615) 591-8286 TTA 2012 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Thomas Garner Cal Hill Joe Hill Robert A. Main, CGCS Mitch Parker Jason Pooler Jason Sanderson Chris Simon Sean VanHoose Doug Ward TTA ADVISORY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD Bill Blackburn Lynn Ray Jeff Rumph Dr. Tom Samples Dr. Dennis Shepard Dr. John Sorochan

FROM THE MTGCSA PRESIDENT Jerry Craven

News from

MTGCSA Wow,

what a weird off-season we had! Crazy temperatures in January, February and March had us all wondering what the rest of the year will bring. Thus far, the warm, wet winter has brought on many challenges for all of us in turf, from weed pressures to early pre-emergence to breaking early dormancy. As we all know, we thrive or struggle by what Mother Nature gives us. I hope that everyone is doing well with all the challenges that we face on a daily basis at our facilities.

The MTGCSA officers and board of directors have had a very productive offseason, getting ready for the upcoming year and planning our meeting sites and speakers. I am very pleased with the venues we will offer our membership, and I hope members will be, too.

We have a few new faces on the board this year and some familiar ones (right).

President Jerry Craven Vice President Scott Cole Secretary/Treasurer Bob Hogan Past President Shelia Finney Executive Secretary Jim Uden Directors Joe Kennedy Lynn Ray B.J. Parker Steffie Safrit Our goal as an association is to provide opportunities for superintendents, assistant superintendents and mechanics to be a part of MTGCSA. Shelia has done a remarkable job with the direction of our association, and I want to continue those same efforts. If you have any questions, comments, concerns, and or ideas, please feel free to contact me or anyone else on the board to help make our association stronger and more beneficial for us all. I look forward to seeing all of you this year.

Jerry Craven Richland Country Club jcraven@richlandcc.com jcraven@united.net 615-566-9583

TURF KUDOS

Paul Carter, CGCS, Named TurfNet’s Superintendent of the Year

By Chris Hartwiger, USGA Green Section

P

aul Carter, CGCS, of the Bear Trace at Harrison Bay (in Harrison, TN) and vice president of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association, was named TurfNet’s Superintendent of the Year at the Golf Industry Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, on March 1, 2012. Paul’s skills have been known throughout the Southeast for many years, and it is nice to see him receive this recognition.

Since his arrival at Bear Trace nearly a decade ago, Paul has led numerous projects that have benefited not only those who play the course, but also the wildlife that live on the course. Below are a few of Paul’s accomplishments.

• Bentgrass to Ultradwarf Bermudagrass Putting Green Conversion — For a variety of reasons, the performance of the creeping bentgrass putting greens at Bear Trace did not meet expectations. Paul was one of the first in eastern Tennessee to make the conversion to an ultradwarf bermudagrass. Not only did he improve the quality of the putting surfaces for golfers, he has also been managing the ultradwarf greens with fewer total inputs, compared to creeping bentgrass.

In doing so, he set a new standard for turf quality and cost-effective management that other courses in the area are now moving toward.

• 2012 Eagle Cam Project — No, this eagle cam project is not designed to watch golfers attempting to make eagles. Instead, this is a live internet video feed where the general public

can watch a pair of nesting eagles on the golf course at Harrison Bay. As of March 9, 2012, the mother eagle had laid two eggs, and viewers are anticipating the birth of two baby eagles within the month. Check it out at http://www.harrisonbayeaglecam.org/.

• Certified in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program in 2008.

• Awarded the 2009 Governor’s

Environmental Stewardship Award for Excellence.

• Designated as a Groundwater Green Guardian Site by the Groundwater Foundation in 2008.

As TurfNet’s Superintendent of the Year, Paul has won a free trip to Bandon Dunes in Bandon, OR. Paul, we hope you enjoy the trip, and congratulations on your much-deserved award!

COVER STORY

The Key Secrets to

l u f s s e c c Su Installation Sod

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CONTINUED

By Liz Nutter, Managing Editor, Leading Edge Communications (publisher of Tennessee Turfgrass)

Ok,

an upfront confession is warranted here: the word “secrets” (in the headline at left) is a bit misleading. In truth, a successful sod installation primarily entails just a bit of knowledge about how turfgrass grows and a healthy dose of common sense, according to Robert L. (Bobby) Winstead, owner of Winstead Turf Farms in Memphis, TN. A longtime member of TTA, Winstead is a past president of the MidSouth Turfgrass Council, and he is currently serving as vice president for Turfgrass Producers International (TPI), the international sod growers’ organization with members from 46 different countries.

Unfortunately, even knowledgeable, sensible turfgrass professionals sometimes cut corners in the process of properly selecting and installing sod, which frequently results in a weak — or dead — stand of grass and unhappy clients.

Granted, some of the steps in the process may not be practical in every situation, but whenever possible, they should all be followed closely to give new sod its best chance to fulfill its potential and purpose.

Sod 101 Sod is typically harvested and sold in three ways — by the big roll (40" wide and as long as 103'), by the small roll (24" wide by 4' long), or in small slabs stacked on pallets.

Winstead Turf Farms harvests big rolls, as well as two sizes of sod slabs — 18" X 24" or 21" X 42".

“The slabs are more versatile than the rolls — you can lay a small area with slabs, where you can’t with the big rolls,” Winstead comments. “Although you have fewer seams with the big rolls, which results in a better-looking job, anyone can put the slabs down. We’re trying to encourage more of our customers to go to the larger slab since they can lay the sod so much faster.

Instead of 150 pieces of small slabs on a pallet, there are only 71 of the larger slabs on a pallet, so they’re faster to install.”

The big-roll sod, certainly, is more suitable for large sites, like at golf courses and on sports fields. However, an interesting issue with the big rolls has recently started becoming a problem.

“We never would have expected the netting on the bottom of rolled sod to work itself up to the surface, but it has started doing that, catching cleats and getting into the mowers,” Winstead says. “To solve that problem, there’s an attachment that can be put on the machine during installation that will take the netting off as the sod is unrolled. Then, though, you have all the removed netting to deal with — there’s a lot of bulk in several 40" wide X 103' long rolls of netting. The end user must decide which option — leaving the netting on or taking it off — works best at that site.”

When sod is harvested, a great majority of the roots are left in the farm’s fields. “We basically cut it off at the knees. You don’t want to cut it so deep that you get the bulk of the root system,” Winstead points out. “We say that we’re not in the

dirt business; we’re in the sod business. We harvest our grass as thin as possible; we don’t like to see more than a half-inch of dirt on our sod when it goes out. That does two things — the sod is quicker to establish when it gets to the end user’s site, and it makes our fields recuperate more quickly.”

In essence, sod will work only as hard as it has to. Thickercut sod will primarily “live within itself” — the roots are happy to stay in the old soil until all the nutrients are used up (which can take a year or more). Thin-cut sod, on the other hand, has less of a self-contained habitat, so the grass plants are forced to go to work; they simply must send roots down into the new soil to find water and nutrients.

The best time to install warm-season sod in the West Tennessee area is spring and fall, according to Winstead. “But we harvest our sod year-round, even in winter,” he notes. “We sell to a lot of homebuilders, and they’re mainly the ones who install sod in winter, to keep from having a bare-ground ‘lawn.’ Of course, our warm-season sod is dormant from late fall to early spring, but we haven’t had many instances of winter-installed sod freezing out.”

SITE PREPARATION Although Winstead Turf Farms does not perform installation, Winstead does offer a number of recommendations to anyone thinking about purchasing and laying sod.

Get a soil test.

The very first step — which Winstead says is of utmost importance to a successful sod installation — is to send a soil sample to a lab for analysis. Most labs will provide recommendations based on any deficiencies, and then you can add whatever nutrients are needed to improve the fertility and soil pH. “One of the major things that people miss is that they don’t check their soil pH. The soil in West Tennessee is extremely acidic, as a rule,” Winstead comments. “If someone has never put lime on their lawn, I can pretty much assure you that the pH will be below 5.0, and you need it up at around 6.3 or 6.4, which is close to neutral. High soil acidity will tie up a great number of nutrients in a form where they’re no longer available to the plant. If your pH is below 5.0, for instance, it won’t matter how much of any nutrient you apply; the grass won’t get the benefit of it. Correcting your soil pH is one of the best things you can do to reduce fertility inputs in the long run.”

While you’re waiting for the soil test results, you can start preparing the site for the new sod.

Start with bare soil.

Sod must be put down on top of bare ground — for the roots to develop, you need good sod-to-soil contact. So, if you’re

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COVER STORY

planning to sod over an existing stand of turf, you must first eliminate any plant growth (grass and/or weeds) already there, with a nonselective herbicide. “We recommend letting the herbicide work for five to seven days before tilling the dead turf under,” Winstead says.

Loosen the soil.

Then, it’s time to loosen the top few inches of soil with a rototiller. If your soil test indicates a need for lime, apply it before you till. Winstead also suggests tilling in a good starter fertilizer. “We suggest either 13-13-13 or, if you have a shade issue, a 6-12-12, which will promote more root growth than top growth,” he says.

However, Winstead does not advise adding soil amendments or conditioners. “As long as the site has good surface drainage, we feel that the soils in West Tennessee are great for growing grass, even if the site has a lot of clay,” he points out. “We’ve also found that if you add a compost or certain types of soil conditioner, it heats up the ground and helps promote fungus.

So we do not recommend adding organic matter. That’s just my personal preference.”

Smooth the surface.

After tilling the soil, remove any debris from the surface that could interfere with root growth and water movement, such as rocks, large dirt clods, construction scraps, stumps and sticks.

Ideally, whenever possible, this step should be done by hand with a rake; running a drag behind a tractor will significantly compact the newly loosened ground.

Moisten the site before the sod is delivered.

The top several inches of soil should be moist, but not saturated, at the time that the sod is laid. A day or two before the sod is delivered, irrigate the soil to provide an inviting foundation for the new sod.

INSTALLATION TIPS Install the sod immediately after delivery.

One thing all sod growers agree on is that sod should never be ordered or delivered until the site/soil preparation has been completed, since sod should be installed as soon as possible after it arrives at the site. The longer the sod sits on a pallet or roll, the more it will deteriorate, particularly in hot weather.

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The natural activity of microorganisms that live in the soil harvested with the sod creates heat, and that heat cannot escape when the turf is stacked or rolled.

Butt the edges tightly.

One of the biggest mistakes that non-professionals make when installing sod themselves is leaving loose or sloppy seams between the edges. Just about every site’s soil is filled with weed seeds, and if you leave any bare soil (even just cracks between sod pieces), those seeds will come up. With sod that’s properly installed — with all the edges butted tightly against each other — there’s no opportunity for weed seeds to germinate and pop up through the seams.

Also, Winstead says, if there’s any slope at all, be sure to stagger the joints of each row. “It keeps from creating a long line for the water to run down along the seams and wash the sod away,” he points out.

Irrigate as you go.

Sometimes, waiting to irrigate at the end of the installation is too long — the sod you laid first may be wilted (or, worse, crunchy) by then. “If it’s a blazing hot day, we tell installers to irrigate a little as they go,” Winstead says. “Then, once the site is completely sodded, we suggest that they ‘float it in,’ completely soaking the area to help settle the sod onto the soil and remove air pockets and dry spots.”

Afterwards, at least for the first couple of weeks, keep the ground under the soil moist, but not wet. “We tell people not to overwater their new sod because that keeps the root system from going on down into the ground,” Winstead advises. “Also, we recommend watering in the early morning — letting the turf leaves stay wet for too long will encourage disease.”

About Winstead Turf Farms, Inc. Established in 1978, Winstead Turf Farms grows several varieties of bermudagrass (‘Tifway II’, ‘Celebration’ and ‘Discovery’) and zoysiagrass (‘Palisades’, ‘Royal’ and ‘Meyer Z-52’) on 900 acres in Shelby and Fayette counties. In 2006, the farm hosted the TPI Summer Convention. Bobby Winstead is particularly excited about the farm’s new ‘Discovery’ bermudagrass, which is a lowmaintenance variety that requires mowing only about once every three weeks. Winstead Turf Farms is one of only a handful of growers in the country with this exciting addition to warm-season turfgrasses and will have it available for purchase in 2013.

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS APRIL/MAY 2012 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com

CONTINUED

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APPLIED RESEARCH

BERMUDAGRASS CONTROL IN Tall Fescue and Zoysiagrass

By Greg Breeden, Extension Assistant, Turfgrass Weed Science; James T. Brosnan, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Turfgrass Weed Science; Thomas J. Samples, Ph.D., Professor, Turfgrass Science and Management, Dept. of Plant Sciences, The University of Tennessee

B

ermudagrass (Cynodon spp) is commonly selected for use on Tennessee athletic fields and golf courses for its aggressive growth (providing fast recovery from wear and tear) and tolerances to heat, drought and traffic stress.

These same characteristics, however, also render bermudagrass an extremely difficult-to-control weed in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.) lawns.

Infestations of bermudagrass in tall fescue and zoysiagrass commonly take the shape of distinct patches, easily identified by differences in color (during periods of active growth and dormancy, Photo 1) and leaf texture.

In a zoysiagrass lawn, differences in morning dew patterns also help identify areas of bermudagrass contamination.

Bermudagrass will invade any area of a tall fescue or zoysiagrass stand that has been weakened by diseases, insects, other types of weed competition or any type of stress.

Bermudagrass growth and identification Bermudagrass is a mat-forming perennial 16

grassy weed that aggressively spreads by both rhizomes and stolons. This extensive network of below- (rhizomes) and above-ground (stolons) vegetative propagules makes bermudagrass extremely difficult to control. In many instances, bermudagrass can be desiccated on the soil surface with certain herbicide applications, only to regenerate over time from below-ground rhizomes.

Additionally, aggressive above-ground growth from stolons allows bermudagrass to advance into additional areas of desirable turf.

Bermudagrass can be misidentified as other grassy weeds. For example, similarities in leaf texture often cause many to wrongly identify bermudagrass

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS APRIL/MAY 2012 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com

populations as nimblewill (Muhlenbergia shreberi). However, bermudagrass has a hairy ligule (Photo 2), while the ligule of nimblewill is membranous. Bermudagrass also has a deeper root system than nimblewill and persists in drier, sunnier environments.

Bermudagrass can also be confused with zoysiagrass; however, zoysiagrass leaves are rolled in the bud and often have hairs along the leaf blade, while bermudagrass has a folded vernation and has no hairs on the leaf blade.

Bermudagrass seedheads (Photo 3) have three to seven spikelets, which can be 1" to 2" long.

Cultural practices to prevent bermudagrass infestations The best method of preventing bermudagrass infestations is to maintain a healthy, dense turf. Implementing the proper cultural practices required to maintain tall fescue and zoysiagrass turf will reduce the likelihood of

bermudagrass encroachment. For information on the proper cultural practices used to maintain tall fescue and zoysiagrass turf in Tennessee, see UT Extension publication PB1038, Lawn Fertilization and Management.

Additional information can also be found at http://tennesseeturf.utk.edu.

Additional tactics, including the following, can be taken to discourage bermudagrass encroachment and spread in tall fescue and zoysiagrass.

Inspect all new materials.

Inspect all soil, compost, plant material and seed brought onto a property to be sure that they are free of bermudagrass.

Pay special attention to ensure that no vegetative structures (rhizomes or stolons) are present in these materials.

Photo 1. Patches of bermudagrass in tall fescue and zoysiagrass are easily identified by differences in color and leaf texture (above, dormant bermudagrass in a tall fescue lawn).

Increase mowing heights when possible.

Increasing the lawn’s canopy height will improve the rooting and photosynthesis of the desirable turf, resulting in a healthier stand that is less susceptible to bermudagrass encroachment.

Additionally, the taller canopy will shade any bermudagrass present in the stand, which will reduce its ability to spread.

Photo 2. Bermudagrass has a hairy ligule.

Maintain proper fertility.

For tall fescue, fertilize two times annually, once in the spring and once in the fall. Always avoid fertilizing tall fescue during the summer. For zoysiagrass, fertilize during the summer to deliver less than 3 lbs. nitrogen/M/year. Zoysiagrasses have lower nitrogen requirements than bermudagrass. Thus, fertilizing at the proper rate will maintain adequate density while reducing the likelihood of bermudagrass encroachment and discouraging the spread of any bermudagrass present in the stand.

Water deeply and infrequently.

Irrigate to a depth of about 6", approximately twice a week. Shallow, frequent irrigation favors bermudagrass.

Photo 3. Bermudagrass seedheads have three to seven spikelets.

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APPLIED RESEARCH Pay attention to flower beds and other landscaped areas.

Keep these areas free of bermudagrass contamination. Use heavy mulch or deep edging to keep bermudagrass from establishing. Edging material should be at least 6" into the soil.

Herbicide options for bermudagrass control There are limited herbicide options for controlling bermudagrass in tall fescue and zoysiagrass. Be aware that if the applications are successful, numerous voids (bare areas) will be left in the turf canopy after bermudagrass has been removed. These voids will be susceptible to future weed infestations and should be re-seeded with a highquality turfgrass cultivar. Check the herbicide label for information regarding the time required between seeding and applying a herbicide.

In many instances, a single application of the herbicides listed below will cause severe bermudagrass injury, causing a void to develop in the canopy; however, bermudagrass can usually grow out of this injury over time. Thus, multiple herbicide applications and proper cultural implementations will be required to achieve complete control.

Option #1 — Fluazifop Program Sequential applications of fluazifop are labeled for bermudagrass control in tall fescue and zoysiagrass. Research has shown that tank-mixing fluazifop with triclopyr will improve weed control efficacy and reduce undesirable turf injury. Do not make these applications when the desired turfgrass is under any type of stress, due to the increased potential for herbicide injury.

Recent research at The University of Tennessee has found that bermudagrass is most susceptible to these treatments when transitioning into winter dormancy in fall and in spring once green tissue is present. Often the

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CONTINUED process of transitioning into winter dormancy can begin before visual signs of the transition (i.e., changes in turf color) are apparent. We’ve observed that applications of fluazifop + triclopyr are most effective once the average daily air temperature falls below 72°F. These treatments will need to be applied throughout multiple growing seasons to obtain complete control.

Option #2 — Fenoxaprop Program Sequential applications of fenoxaprop + triclopyr, on 4-week intervals, are labeled for bermudagrass suppression in tall fescue and zoysiagrass turf.

Research at The University of Tennessee has observed that programs incorporating fenoxaprop tend to be less effective than those delivering fluazifop. Do not apply fenoxaprop if the desired turfgrass is under any type

of stress, due to the increased potential for herbicide injury to occur. These applications will need to be applied throughout multiple growing seasons to obtain complete control.

Option #3 — Glyphosate Spot Treatment Programs Spot treatments of glyphosate (Roundup Pro or similar) can be utilized to control bermudagrass in an array of different warm- and coolseason species. Precise applications are required, since glyphosate (a non-selective herbicide) will kill any desirable turf that it contacts, in addition to weedy areas of bermudagrass contamination. Bare areas present after application will need to be reseeded to prevent future weed infestations and improve the overall aesthetic quality of the turf stand.

Final Thoughts Controlling bermudagrass in warmand cool-season turf is difficult. All herbicide programs involve making sequential applications over multiple growing seasons for complete control. In situations where bermudagrass covers a large percentage of a given turfgrass area, complete renovation should be considered over selective removal. For more information on renovating tall fescue turfs, see UT publication W238, Weed Control During the Seeded Establishment of Cool-Season Grasses.

Always refer to the product label for specific information on proper product use, tank-mix compatibility and turfgrass tolerance. For more information on turfgrass weed control, visit The University of Tennessee’s turfgrass weed science website, http://tennesseeturfgrassweeds.org.

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TURF TALK

By Stanley J. Zontek, Director, Mid-Atlantic Region, USGA Green Section Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in the May/June 1988 issue (Vol 26(3): 1-4) of the USGA Green Section Record. Twenty-four years later, the author’s recommendations remain as accurate today as they were then.

This article has been updated by the author, with permission to republish it in Tennessee Turfgrass.

A

mong the responsibilities of today’s golf course superintendent, the need to maintain a good stand of grass on putting greens is perhaps the most basic of all.

Greens are the bread and butter of a golf course, and the reputations of a course and the superintendent who maintains it are often determined by the consistency of those greens. As long as the greens look good and putt well, golfers are inclined to overlook other weaknesses on the course. If

this consistency fails for even a short time, though, the superintendent will be criticized — and golfers can be merciless in their criticism of even the least significant flaw.

Maintaining good putting green turf for most of the season is not as difficult as it once was. Science has given us a better understanding of how to maintain closely cut, heavily trafficked turf, and well-timed practices such as aeration, topdressing, fertilization, overseeding and other renovation work can prepare

the turf and the soil for the next period of stress. However, when encountering stress in mid-season, putting green management often takes on a meaning all its own: doing what is necessary to keep the grass alive under stress conditions.

Types of turf stress Turfgrass stress can be defined in a number of different ways. By the book, stress is the “strain or pressure causing a departure from the normal

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TURF TALK equilibrium.” For the turf manager in the field, stress is what causes the grass to wilt and die right before his eyes.

The turf on greens is exposed to many elements that can cause stress.

The turf manager has little or no control over some of these factors, such as the amount of play a course receives or under what weather conditions this play occurs. Other stress factors are imposed by the superintendent himself, including extremely close mowing, the abrasion caused by turning heavy triplex mowers on the green perimeters and collars, deep vertical mowing, too much or too little irrigation and misapplying certain chemicals. These stresses can be broadly grouped under mechanical stress.

The other category of stress the turf manager must deal with is given the name environmental stress. Temperature or humidity that is either too high or too low, rainfall that is either too much or too little and/or the presence of frost are examples of environmental stress.

Generally speaking, any one of these environmental or mechanical stress factors will not cause the loss of grass by itself, but when a combination of stresses occurs at the same time (e.g., close mowing when the turf is under hear stress), the turf can be severely weakened and may die.

When this occurs on greens, it means an immediate public relations problem between the superintendent and those who play the course.

Following is a listing of some of the management factors that the golf course superintendenta can control to some degree as he manages his turf under conditions of stress. Some may seem obvious, while others are less so, but all of them are worth considering in managing periods of heavy play and the accompanying stresses. After all, loss of turf on greens is something that all golf course superintendents and golfers want to avoid.

22

Tips for managing mechanical stress Raise the mowing height.

Mowing the grass too close when under stress is a common cause of turfgrass failure. In many cases, the golf course superintendent feels pressured into sustaining low cutting heights for the sake of fast greens, resulting in thin, weak or dead turf and a mob of angry golfers.

What should be done? When the grass is under severe stress and is being cut too low, and where thinning and scalping damage is seen, raise the mowing height as quickly as possible.

Even a slight 1/64" to 1/32" increase in cutting height can have a very beneficial effect. In contrast, lowering the cutting height by this small increment to increase green speed can have a disastrous effect. The old saying “slow grass is better than no grass” is so very true.

Skip mowing.

The physical act of cutting grass with a heavy machine is itself a significant stress. Common sense would suggest that when the grass is under extreme stress (and its rate of growth slows), skip a few days of mowing each week.

The greens may lose a little speed, but again, slow grass is better than no grass. Also, consider alternating rolling with mowing. Research has shown this to be a good technique to reduce stress while still maintaining green speed and trueness of ball roll.

Avoid double-cutting greens.

While double-cutting is one of the most useful techniques at the disposal of the golf course superintendent to achieve and maintain fast greens, it is, nevertheless, another form of mechanical stress. Therefore, when the grass is suffering from stress, defer doublecutting until conditions moderate.

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Use walk-behind mowers.

Walk-behind units place less mechanical stress on the turf than triplex mowers. While it is true that triplex mowers are marvelously efficient machines, they do cause extra stress on the turf, especially on the clean-up cut around the greens. This mechanical wear is one of the most compelling reasons why more and more golf courses are going back to walk-behind mowers during periods of stress. The pleasing, traditional striping effect it causes is an added advantage of hand mowing. Finally, many superintendents feel that walk-behind units do a consistently better job of cutting, while minimizing wear stress at the same time.

Watch out for grooved rollers.

The Wiehle roller is an excellent grooming device for creating better putting green texture and quality, compared to mowers with other types of rollers. When the grass is tender and under stress, however, the extra abrasion these rollers cause, especially on the perimeter cut, can be a major source of stress. Thus, use grooved rollers religiously when mowing the grass during non-stress times, but consider replacing them with solid rollers when the turf is under stress.

Skip the “clean-up” lap.

When the turf is under stress and top growth is minimal, consider performing a “clean-up” lap on an as-needed basis.

Also, defer routine maintenance operations like topdressing and vertical mowing of greens when turf is under stress. In short, do whatever is necessary to minimize mechanical stress on greens when they are under prolonged stress. Putting green speed and quality may be sacrificed slightly during this time, but it is a small price to pay for avoiding the loss of turf and

CONTINUED the turmoil that would accompany such a loss.

Managing environmental stress Heat, moisture, disease and nutrient stresses are key problems in maintaining healthy turf during the golfing season. Good management techniques can minimize these stresses, although the chemicals and materials used to prevent injury sometimes cause stresses of their own. Following is a checklist of management factors to consider for handling various environmental stresses.

Syringe the greens.

Syringe the turf occasionally to reduce heat and moisture stress. Applying the correct amount of water is the key

to this program. Syringing is often overdone, causing saturated turf and disease. Syringing is best done by hand, using trained workers with some good judgment, and applying water only to those sections of the greens that require it. Hand syringing is time consuming, but it is necessary, given the demands of golfers today.

the remaining specimens. Without a doubt, good air circulation is critical in allowing the turf to transpire and cool itself by releasing moisture through its stomata. Providing good air circulation is also helpful in drying the green to minimize disease and algae problems.

Therefore, anything that can be done to improve airflow in the vicinity of golf greens should receive high priority.

Increase airflow.

Open up pocketed greens (those partly enclosed by a dense stand of trees and underbrush). Stress problems are always more severe on pocketed greens. It is always hotter and more humid in these pocketed areas, and the grass is always weaker because of it. Air circulation can be improved by thinning out the extraneous trees and underbrush near the green and by pruning up the lower branches of

Control diseases.

Many turf diseases become active when the turf is under stress. Controlling disease during the season is particularly important, as turf lost from disease activity at this time of year will be slow to recover. To prevent this from occurring, compress your preventive fungicide spray schedule (if necessary), be sure to make an accurate diagnosis of the disease if symptoms are

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION

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TURF TALK observed, and use curative rates of the most effective yet least phytotoxic fungicide labeled to control that disease.

Also, be sure to alternate materials or tank-mix contact and systemic fungicides (when appropriate) for broad-spectrum disease control and to reduce the potential for fungal resistance problems.

Think twice before making applications.

Do not apply pesticides, fertilizers or combinations of products that have the potential to burn the turf. Grasses under heavy stress often react negatively to what are usually considered mild herbicides or moderate rates of certain types of fertilizers. If in doubt, defer treatments to when the turf can tolerate the applications better. If crabgrass or other weeds must be treated, consider hand picking rather than using herbicides. Though time consuming, it may be better than dealing with burned grass.

Misapplications can be especially devastating during stressful weather.

Applying the wrong rates or allowing overlapping (which essentially doubles the intended rate) is a common cause of turf injury during hot weather. If you’re not confident about important applications, consider using foam markers or application dyes for spray applications, or switch to granular formulations and drop spreaders, if necessary.

If fertilization is deemed necessary, keep rates in the light to ultra-light spoon-feeding range. Soluble fertilizer sources containing N-P-K plus micronutrients seem to work well at rates as low as 1/16 lb. or as high as 1/4 lb. of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per application. Non-burning, lownitrogen-content natural organic fertilizers can also be used to good advantage, but keep the rates low, in the range of 1/8 to 1/4 lb. of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. Keep in mind that more fertilizer can always be added, if needed. If excess fertilizer

CONTINUED has been applied, though, nothing can be done but live with the consequences.

Aerate the turf.

If the greens begin to thin and you feel they are in trouble, consider aerating the turf. That’s right, aerate.

Although it may seem inconsistent to aerify while, at the same time, trying to avoid turf stress, there is usually more to gain than to lose. Aeration helps a soft, wet soil dry out, and it allows oxygen back into the rootzone where it is so badly needed. It also improves water infiltration into tight, compacted soils and relieves the effects of isolated dry spots. Very often, the turf begins to improve within a few days after aerification. As a precaution, use small tines, and do not let the greens dry out too much. Small solidtine aerification, water aerification (Hydroject) or deep spiking may also be of help in this situation.

caused the problems your course experienced. After all, there is nothing like a prolonged period of stress to bring out whatever strengths and weaknesses exist on the course. You may determine that the greens need more and deeper aeration, that a better irrigation system

needs to be installed or that trees need to be removed from around pocketed greens.

Also, use the experience in a positive way to determine which practices need to be altered and which programs should be implemented to manage turf better when it is under stress.

Explain what you’re doing.

Finally, communicate with the people at your course. Discuss the situation with the green committee chair, president, golf professional, course administrator, general manager or anyone else who has a need to know. Begin the conversation by saying something like, “Gentlemen, we will have a problem if things continue as they are…” That should get their attention. No one likes a surprise, especially finding dead greens that only a few days before were fully turfed and in beautiful condition.

Tell them the story in clear, concise terms. People tend to be understanding if they know the facts. After all, no matter how good a job a golf course superintendent does, he cannot control the weather. Without a doubt, weather extremes remain the number one stress factor on golf courses today.

When the weather breaks…

When the period of stress is over, assess the condition of your golf course. Count your losses, and analyze what you think

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TURF TIPS

Make the Most of Your

GRANULAR APPLICATIONS

By John Street, Ph.D., and Pam Sherratt, Dept. of Horticulture and Crop Science, OARDC & OSU Extension, The Ohio State University

Most

turfgrass managers continue to rely on the use of preemergence herbicides as a preventative control for annual grassy weeds. Preemergence herbicides provide a chemical barrier or chemical blanket at the soil surface that intercepts the weed and prevents its growth and development.

Efficacy of the herbicide product used is determined by many factors: time of application, soil temperature, product rate, product formulation and uniformity of coverage. Making sure that granular products are uniformly applied is critical to success. Application uniformity is determined by particle size, particle-size uniformity, application equipment and application speed.

Particle size Particle size is defined by the size guide number (SGN) value (see Figure 1).

The SGN is determined by calculating the average particle size of the product granules in millimeters and multiplying by 100. Materials and products used on turfgrass generally have an SGN range of 75 to 350. Greens products range from 75 to 100; close-cut turf, from 125 to 150; and higher-cut turf like lawns, from 150 to 240.

SGN is important in preemergence herbicide efficacy because it reflects the number of particles applied per square inch. Estimated particles per square inch for SGN values of 100, 150, 200 and 240 are 14 to 16, 8 to 10, 6 to 8 and 4 to 6, respectively. A target of 6 to 8 particles

Figure 1. Particle Size – Size Guide Number (SGN).

Size Guide Number

More Examples

0.85mm

A product with an average particle size of 1.5mm will have an SGN of 150

1.5mm 2.3mm

UI 33

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Uniformity Index (UI) A UI is a value representing the relative particle-size variation of the granules within a product. A UI of 50 means that the ratio of the smallest particles is one-half the size of the largest particles (Figure 2). A UI of 100 means that all of the particles within the product are equal in size. UI values range from 35 to 60, and a value of 50 is considered acceptable for good uniformity of spread.

UI is important because, with rotary spreader equipment, larger granules travel a greater distance than do finer

Figure 2. Uniform Particle Distribution – Sizing: Uniformity Index (UI).

The “average particle diameter” of the product expressed in millimeters multiplied by 100

For Example:

per square inch is considered the minimum desirable number for optimum preemergence herbicide effectiveness.

UI 50

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UI 100

UI 50 means the smallest particle is 1/2 the size of the largest particle.

CONTINUED granules. Ballistic segregation is used to describe the segregation that occurs when fertilizer and fertilizer/herbicide particles are propelled through the air by rotary spreaders. A low UI value increases the likelihood of a poor uniformity of spread and a nonuniform chemical barrier or blanket.

short- and/or long-term failures. These factors are ranked high on the list of reasons for preemergence herbicide failures. A successful preemergence program in any agronomic situation requires a good cultural program, proper preemergence-herbicide selection and

rate, and good uniformity and accuracy of application. These principles also apply to the application of any granular product. Good luck this season!

Figure credit: Figures adapted from the originals made by Brad Jakubowski.

Application equipment The typical type of spreader used in the turfgrass industry for application of granular products is a pendulum or rotary spreader. With typical UI products, these spreaders produce a wedge-shaped or fan distribution pattern, with more product or granules distributed towards the center pattern of the spreader and less product distributed towards the outside perimeter of the pattern.

Therefore, for uniform spread across the spreader swath width, overlap is required. The amount of overlap will vary with the spreader type and product UI. Application uniformity is a challenge when using rotary spreaders in landscapes due to the need for proper overlap and the difficulty in maintaining a consistent swath pattern where trees, sidewalks, driveways, fences and ornamental beds can disrupt an application speed and accuracy in overlap. On golf course fairways and sports fields, straight-line patterns are more easily maintained.

Speed of application Speed of application will also have an effect on application rate. With rotary spreaders, slower speeds will increase the rate, and faster speeds will decrease rate.

Speed +/- 0.5 mph = 16.7% change in rate +/- 1.0 mph = 33.3% change in rate 3 mph = 4.4 ft. per second, or 44 ft. per 10 seconds

In summary In conclusion, improper distribution, improper rate, improper spreader pattern overlap and variations in speed can allow for weak spots in the surface preemergence chemical barrier that can result in TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION

27

TURF BASICS

TRADE NAMES OF HERBICIDES LABELED FOR USE IN TURF James T. Brosnan, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, and Greg Breeden, Extension Assistant, Turfgrass Weed Science, The University of Tennessee

The

best defense against weed infestation is maintaining a dense, vigorous, highquality turf. Although implementing cultural practices to maximize turfgrass quality (proper mowing, fertility, pest management, etc.) will reduce the likelihood of weed infestations, herbicide applications are often required for complete control.

Types of herbicides Herbicides are chemicals that kill or suppress the growth of plants. More than 300 chemicals are used as herbicides throughout the world. They are broadly categorized by mode of action, chemical structure and application timing.

Selective vs. non-selective Most herbicides are sold for selective weed control. Selective herbicides control certain weeds but will not cause injury to registered crops (e.g., turfgrass species) when applied at the correct rate and timing. Turfgrasses listed as “tolerant” on the product label either do not absorb toxic levels or are able to compartmentalize, exclude or metabolize these herbicides so they are no longer a threat to turfgrass survival.

In contrast, non-selective herbicides will cause damage to most any plant. A commonly used non-selective herbicide in turf is glyphosate (Roundup ProMax™).

Non-selective herbicides should be used with caution when spraying around desirable vegetation.

Preemergence vs. postemergence Preemergence herbicides are applied prior to the emergence of the weeds to be controlled. The most common 28

targets of preemergence herbicide applications in turfgrasses are crabgrass species (Digitaria spp.). Most of the preemergence herbicides used in turf have residual activity in the soil, entering the roots and/or emerging shoots of weeds.

Preemergence herbicides may be active in the soil for more than 10 weeks after application. Preemergence herbicides commonly need 1/2" of overhead irrigation or rainfall after application for “activation.” Contrary to popular belief, residual herbicides do not prevent seed germination, but instead they prevent weeds from maturing by inhibiting growth processes following germination.

In contrast, postemergence herbicides are applied following weed emergence.

Postemergence herbicides enter weeds through the foliage and either act at the point of contact or move systemically through the vascular system of susceptible weeds. As a general rule, smaller, less mature weeds are more readily controlled than those that are larger. Many postemergence herbicides are applied with an adjuvant in the spray solution to increase control.

Herbicides labeled for use in turf The following tables list herbicides labeled for weed control in turf. Herbicides are often recommended by the name of their active ingredient rather than their trade name (i.e., the name that appears on the actual product container) because trade names can change over time. Additionally, products with the same active ingredient may have different trade names, depending on where the herbicide is intended to be used. Lastly, different companies may sell the same active ingredient under different trade

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PREEMERGENCE HERBICIDES Active Ingredient

Trade Name

Atrazine

Aatrex, Atrazine

Benefin

Balan

benefin + oryzalin

XL 2G

benefin + trifluralin

Team

bensulide

Bensumec, Betasan

DCPA

Dacthal

Dithiopyr

Dimension

ethofumesate

Prograss

dimethenamid-P

Tower

isoxaben

Gallery

indaziflam

Specticle

metolachlor

Pennant Magnum

mesotrione

Tenacity

napropamide

Devrinol

oryzalin

Surflan

oxadiazon

Ronstar

oxadiazon + benefin

RegalStar, numerous products

oxadiazon + prodiamine

RegalStar II

pendimethalin

Pendulum, Pre-M, numerous others

pronamide

Kerb

prodiamine

Barricade, Regalkade

siduron

Tupersan

sulfentrazone

Dismiss

sulfentrazone + prodiamine

Echelon

names. Sometimes the same trade name may contain different concentrations of the active ingredient (e.g., Roundup™).

This article is designed to be used as a guide in selecting herbicides for use in turf recommended by the name of their active ingredient.

Remember, to provide effective weed control, a product must control the

POSTEMERGENCE HERBICIDES Active Ingredient

Trade Name

2,4-D

2,4-D Amine; numerous others

2,4-D + MCPP + dicamba 2,4-D+ fluroxypyr+ dicamba

clopyralid + triclopyr+ 2,4-D

Momentum

dicamba

Banvel, Vanquish

penoxsulam

LockUp

quinclorac

Drive, Drive XLR8

quinclorac + sulfentrazone

Solitare

quinclorac + sulfentrazone + 2,4-D + dicamba

Q4

diclofop

Illoxan

Trimec Three-Way, numerous others

diquat

Reward

ethofumesate

Prograss

Escalade II

fenaxoprop

Acclaim Extra Fusilade II

quinclorac + MCPP + dicamba

Onetime

fluazifop fluroxypyr

Spotlight

rimsulfuron

TranXit GTA

foramsulfuron

Revolver

sethoxydim

Vantage, Poast

glufosinate

Finale

simazine

Princep

glyphosate

Roundup ProMax, Roundup Pro, numerous others

sulfentrazone

Dismiss

sulfentrazone + imazethapyr

Dismiss South

sulfentrazone + metsulfuron

Blindside

aminocyclopyrachlor

Imprelis

atrazine

Aatrex

bentazon

Basagran, Lescogran

bentazon + atrazine

Prompt 5L

bispyribac-sodium

Velocity

bromoxynil

Buctril

carfentrazone

QuickSilver

carfentrazone + 2,4-D + MCPP + dicamba

SpeedZone

carfentrazone + MCPA + MCPP + dicamba

PowerZone

carfentrazone + quinclorac

Square One

chlorosulfuron

Corsair, Telar

clethodim

Envoy

clopyralid

Lontrel T&O

target weed(s) and be safely applied to the turfgrass species that are infested with the problem weed. Before application, always carefully read the label of the product. Herbicide labels are legal documents that must be followed. Labels provide users with specific use information, turfgrass tolerance, weed species controlled and information about where the product can be safely applied. For example, some products are not labeled for use on home lawns, while others are not labeled for use on golf greens. Consult the label to determine if the herbicide selected is labeled for the desired use.

The omission of a particular trade name is not intended to reflect adversely, or to show bias against, any product or trade name not mentioned. Often pre-mixed combination products (two or more active ingredients) containing the same active ingredients can have different trade names. For more information on turfgrass weed control, visit the University of Tennessee’s turfgrass weed science website at http:// www.tennesseeturfgrassweeds.org.

halosulfuron

Manage, SedgeHammer

imazaquin

Image MCPP

sulfentrazone + 2,4-D + MCPP+ dicamba

Surge

mecoprop mesotrione

Tenacity

Sulfosulfuron

Certainty

metribuzin

Sencor

Celsius

metsulfuron

Blade, Manor

thiencarbazone + iodosulfuron + dicamba

MSMA

numerous products

Triclopyr

Turflon Ester

triclopyr + clopyralid

Confront

trifloxysulfuron

Monument

MSMA + 2,4-D + MCPP+ dicamba

Trimec Plus

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

ADVERTISER INDEX

May 8

June 12

July 25

ETGCSA Meeting Johnson City C.C. Johnson City, TN

MAGCSA Meeting Galloway Golf Course Memphis, TN

West TN TVSTMA Meeting Jackson Generals Jackson, TN

May 14

June 14

July 30 – August 3

MAGCSA Meeting First Tee of Memphis Memphis, TN

ETGCSA Meeting Lookout Mountain C.C. Lookout Mountain, GA

May 14–15

June 26–27

TPI Summer Convention & Field Days (Turfgrass Producers International) Asheville, NC

Sports Turf Field Day (in conjunction with the Alabama Turfgrass Association) Univ. of Alabama–Huntsville Huntsville, AL

STMA Mid-American Regional Conference & Trade Show Cincinnati, OH

August 14

July 16

September 13

MAGCSA Meeting Covington Country Club Covington, TN

UT Turfgrass & Ornamental Field Day Knoxville, TN

July 24

January 2013

ETGCSA Meeting Green Meadow CC Alcoa, TN

47th Annual TTA Conference and Trade Show Location: Marriott Cool Springs, Franklin, TN

May 15 MTGCSA Meeting Legacy G.C. Springfield, TN

June 21 MTGCSA Meeting Lightning Bug Golf Course Triune, TN

ETGCSA Meeting Tennessee National GC Lenoir City, TN

Digital Marketplace

Bayer ......................................................3 www.bayerprocentral.com Becker Underwood .................................27 www.beckerunderwood.com Covermaster Inc.....................................23 www.covermaster.com Direct Solutions .....................................15 www.aatdirectsolutions.com Firestone Specialty Products ...................24 www.firestonesp.com Greenville Turf & Tractor, Inc. .................20 www.johndeere.com Harmon Turf Services, Inc. .......................8 www.harmonturfservices.com Harrell’s Custom Fertilizer ......................30 www.harrells.com Jackson Sand ........................................25 www.jacksonsand.com John Deere Landscapes ...........................7 www.johndeerelandscapes.com JRM, Inc. ....................... Inside Back Cover www.jrmonline.com Kirk Grading and Sodding .......................25 Mid Tenn Turf, Inc. ................................18 www.midtennturf.com Modern Turf, Inc. ...................................29 www.modernturf.com NewLife Turf, Inc. .....................Back Cover www.newlifeturf.com Plant Health Services ...............................9 www.planthealthserv.com Redexim Turf Products ...........................11 www.redeximturfproducts.com Sigma Organics, Inc. ..............................19 www.sigmaturf.com Smith Seed Services. .............................30 www.smithseed.com Sur-Line Turf, Inc.....................................7

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

Syngenta Turf ..........................................6 www.syngentaprofessionalproducts.com Tenn Lawn ............................................10 www.tennlawn.com The Andersons Technologies, Inc..............9 www.andersonsgolfproducts.com The Pond Lady ......................................18 www.thepondlady.com The Turfgrass Group ................................5 www.theturfgrassgroup.com Turf Mountain Sod, Inc. ..........................18 www.turfmountain.com Turfgrass of Tennessee ..........................19 Winstead Turf .................Inside Front Cover www.winsteadturf.com

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