Good Spyder, Bad Spider

Normally spiders are scary, at least to me they are. And especially ones like this.

Chances are you don't have one of those in your backyard - and I'm pretty sure if you do, you won't be calling me for bifenthrin, you will be looking for this guy  (Great movie!)

But let's talk about a spider, spyder rather, that you won't make you want to call Burt Gummer.

Spyder LS Tall Fescue

Spyder LS is a release from the Lateral Spread technology program, a program that strives to develop fescues that use natural tillering (rhizome formation) and exhibit greater potential for tighter density and self-recuperation from traffic, wear or injury.

It is dark green in color, vigorous and aggressive with disease resistance to Brown Patch. It is quicker to fill-in with top rated drought tolerance - reducing irrigation costs and conserving water resources.

For the full tech sheet ... click here

Ready to Seed?

If you haven't done so already, now is definitely the time for your fall seeding.

Whether you're just simply overseeding to keep your lawn thick and healthy, or you need to seed some areas that were damaged during the summer heat, now is the time.

Here are some ways to help make sure your seed gives you the results you're looking for this fall:

     1) Make sure you incorportate your seed at least 1/4" into your soil. You can achieve this by using a slit-seeder or slicer. You can also aerate before seeding.

     2) Keep the seed moist. Be careful not to over or underwater. The key is successful germination is to apply frequent and light watering to keep the seed moist and encourage quick germination.

     3) Apply a "starter" fertilizer to encourage root development in the newly germinated seed. An example of a starter fertilizer is 18-24-12, one that is higher in phosphorus and preferably contains at least 40% slow release Nitrogen, to provide consistent feeding for the establishing grass.

     4) Properly time your first mowing on the newly established grass. Wait until your new grass is about 2" tall and then begin mowing. Mowing will start to encourage the grass to thicken, giving you the dense turf you're looking for.

     5) Keep the weeds out. Once you have begun mowing your newly established grass, be sure to control any broadleaf or grassy weeds that may emerge to ensure your grass to remain dense heading into the late fall / winter. This will help your lawn once Spring arrives to ward off spring-time weeds.

Weeds Not Going Away?

In preparation for fall seeding, have you sprayed your lawn for weeds, but they're still there?

The problem could be with the type of herbicide you are using. If you are using a broadleaf herbicide such as Triplet or 4 Speed XT and your weeds are still there, chances are broadleaves are not your target.

Especially with the weather in the Mid-Atlantic this year, tougher weeds such as crabgrass, goosegrass and nutsedge are major problems in lawns.

These weeds require different herbicides to control them.

If you need to control crabgrass or goosegrass in your lawn, you'll need a herbicide labelled for grassy weeds - such as Quinclorac 75 DF.

For nutsedge control - you would need a herbicide specifically designed to eradicate nutsedge - such as Pro Sedge.

Knowing the types of weeds you are trying to control in your lawn is important and can save you time and money when it comes to controlling them.

Going Green at Work

Being energy and resource efficient and conscious of improving the health and well-being of your work environment will also reduce the costs of running a business. It's always a great time to "Go Green" at work and here are some simple ways to do that:

     1. Feel empowered.
                   You don't need to be management to institute change; your role as someone who cares about improving the energy efficiency and healthiness of your workplace is just as vital as those able to make the "big decisions".

      2. Reduce Printer Use
                    Don't print unless it's necessary. Take advantage of your computer and hardware and maintain your files on a flashdrive.

      3. Travel Green
                    Commute with coworkers, take the subway or metro, ride your bike if you live close enough. These are all ways you can be Green while getting to work.

      4. Green your desk, cubicle or office
                    Use plants in your office or at your desk - they can be used to show your company is green friendly, and they can also maintain a healthy air flow, especially in an office setting

      5. Recycle
                    Whether it's cardboard, glass, aluminum or plastic - there is a way to properly recycle it.

      6. Spread the Word
                     Spreading the word and getting others to follow your lead is possibly the greatest way to Go Green.
                     Create a Green Team at work. This is a group of people that will set annual "Going Green Goals" for your company

Do You Smell That? - yup Stinkbugs!

It's already August 10th and if you're like me, you're fixated on knowing that football season and cooler weather is just around the corner.

But right now is also the time to be proactive and be thinking about stinkbugs. That's right, those nasty, pesky, smelly stinkbugs. In a few weeks, they are most likely going to be seen in swarms - looking to find warm shelter in your houses and garages for the winter.

I wanted to share a couple links that provide some good overall information on the stinkbugs as well as some control options. Just like most everything else in life, prevention is the key to success with the stinkbugs.

http://washington.umd.edu/files/How%20to%20Manage%20Stink%20Bugs.pdf

http://www.asktheexterminator.com/Household_Pests/How_to_Get_Rid_of_Stink_Bugs.shtml

Now is the time to be preparing your windows, doors and house perimeter to keep these pests out in the cold!

If you'd like to read something pretty interesting, click here to find out what entomologists are doing at WVU about the stinkbug epidemic.

Course Marking Mistakes

Through both experience as a golf course superintendent and player of the game, I have seen penty of mistakes when it comes to course markings.

In this post, I want to share FIVE of the most common mistakes I have seen made while marking a course so that these mistakes aren't made or repeated at your facility.

Why is proper course marking so important - because the Rules of Golf depend on it.

The most common types of course markings include:

                         - Lateral Water Hazard (Red)
                         - Water Hazard (Yellow)
                         - Ground Under Repair (White)

Top 5 Common Mistakes:

1) The first and probably most common mistake is incomplete marking - not enough stakes and/or missing painted lines.

2) Inability to see between stakes or painted lines due to tall grass, brush or tree growth.

3) Excessive use of red or lateral water hazard marking when some areas should be yellow or water hazard.

4) Incorrect marking of rough and wooded areas as lateral water hazards

5) Excessive ground under repair marking. Be careful to avoid marking areas that are well out into the rough - also, avoid marking casual water as ground under repair.
　
Keeping your course properly marked may seem like such a small thing to worry about - but doing so will save you plenty of possible headaches later.

Generic vs. Name Brand

Name Brand versus Generic. It’s a decision people face every day – at the supermarket, at the pharmacy and at the hardware store. For some golf course superintendents and lawn care professionals, the choice of which chemical to use is simple. For others, the issue is more complicated.

For some, making the decision between a Generic or Name Brand chemical simply comes down to cost. Some Generic or "post-patent" products can cost 50% less than their Name Brand counterparts. And now, more than ever, the ability to save money and make your budget go further is not only important, but a MUST.

Some professionals aren't convinced to use Generics, even despite the potential cost savings. Just as there will always be people who prefer the name Craftsman or Dewalt when it comes to tools, there will always be lawn care professionals who prefer the name Banner Maxx over Propiconazole, etc.

For those of you who may be on the fence when it comes to choosing a Name Brand or Generic product, my advice is to try a generic equivalent to a Name Brand product you use and see how it works for you. Only in a self conducted experiment will you be able to truly know how the Generic product does in terms of application rate, length and quality of control, cost, etc.

For more information and reviews on Generic vs Name Brand - check out this article by Golf Course Industry Magazine.