News

A fall armyworm outbreak is now causing damage to lawns, golf courses and other turfgrass in some places in Michigan.

Recycle Your Grass Clippings W. M. Colt, R. Rynk, S. Bell, and W. J. Johnston Grass clippings have been banned from landfills by approximately half of the states in the United States and it may be only a matter of time before Idaho follows suit. Regardless of bans, however, there are no good reasons to […]

Warm, dry weather causes heat tracking in lawns Mowers and other repetitive movement can leave tracks on lawns during hot, dry weather. Kevin Frank, Michigan State University Extension, Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences – June 26, 2020 Heat tracking damage from a mower. The recent combination of temperatures in the high 80s and low 90s […]

Seedheads in lawns are a natural process that can’t be avoided, but keeping your mower blade sharp and applying fertilizer will keep the lawn healthy and looking good. Kevin Frank, Michigan State University Extension, Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences – The cool season turfgrasses growing in Michigan have been in full-blown seedhead production […]

Some turfgrass was injured as a result of freezing temperatures last week, but the injury is only temporary. Kevin Frank, Michigan State University Extension, Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences – May 15, 2020 Photo 1. Left, freeze injury mimics fertilizer burn or a dull mower blade. Right, freeze injury results in leaf tips […]

Cool temperatures help in extending the time crabgrass preemergence applications can be effective and numerous broadleaf weeds are starting to flower in turf. Kevin Frank, Michigan State University Extension, Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences – May 1, 2020 Professional lawn care companies and at home do-it-yourselfers are both still applying crabgrass preemergence herbicides. […]

Cold soil temperatures should extend timing for crabgrass preemergence herbicide applications. Kevin Frank, Michigan State University Extension, Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences – April 16, 2020 The cold temperatures and even snow showers in many parts of Michigan this last week have really slowed down turfgrass growth and provided additional time for making […]

Sod webworms, the caterpillar stage of lawn moths, are a pest of bluegrass lawns in Michigan. Several closely related webworm species have similar lifecycles and damage symptoms. The biology and management of bluegrass webworm, Parapediasia teterrellas (Zincken), will be discussed as a representative of the group. [click the file link below to read the full […]

September is the ideal time for seeding turfgrass in Michigan. September 12, 2019 – Author: Kevin Frank, Michigan State University Extension, Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences Thin lawns can benefit from inter-seeding. Photo by Kevin Frank, MSU. Reduced weed competition from summer annuals such as crabgrass, cooler temperatures and shorter day length that […]

Crabgrass has been enjoying the high temperatures in Michigan by invading turfgrass areas. July 8, 2019 – Author: Kevin Frank, Michigan State University Extension, Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences Updated from an original article written by Aaron Hathaway and Kevin Frank. Crabgrass emerging in drought-stressed turf. Photo by Kevin Frank, MSU. The cool, […]