With the weather forecast finally predicting a stretch of
warm weather, the 2016 turf maintenance season is about to be in full swing.
This time of year, I often see turf managers skip applications that they had
planned for when they wrote their programs. While this may be a smart move
occasionally, it should not be the rule for everything. Skipping
preventative applications may save some money in the short term, but often,
this decision is met with regret later in the season. The biggest culprits of
this "application omission" that I observe are wetting
agent, aquatic weed management and fungicide applications.
If wetting agent applications are skipped in the spring,
soil particles will become increasingly hydrophobic. If the soil becomes
too hydrophobic, it can be excruciatingly difficult to wet during the
summer. A situation like this will stress turf, possibly lead to LDS and
increase the chances of turf mortality.
Applying aquatic herbicides before aquatic weeds get too
large in size is ideal. It is much easier to kill a small plant with a
herbicide than a large one. Just because you may not see weeds in your ponds
now does not mean they are not present. I assure you that you will see them
emerge. If you skipped your early herbicide application, you will be
fighting an uphill battle.
Dollar spot will be rearing its ugly head soon. This is one
disease that can get out of hand quickly. Keep dollar spot populations in check
by applying preventative fungicides like Xzemplar. This will keep dollar spot
at a manageable level throughout the season, so you are not constantly battling
this potentially devastating disease.
Remember, it is early in the season. You want your turf and ponds to be set up for success going into the stressful summer months. Don't skip an application to save a few dollars now, you will most likely regret it later. Stick to the plan!
Progro-Solutions
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