turfgrass

Warm season turf has a difficult time in fall and spring making the transition from growing to dormant and back to actively growing again. We often see diseases in turf in spring and fall. Proper disease identification and control practices are important in managing turf disease. Here are some references that can help you with turf disease control.

Introduction:

Pennywort (Dollarweed) is a perennial weed that is common in turfgrass as well as ornamentals. It is found in moist to wet sites or anywhere where there is excess moisture. Dollarweed reproduces by seeds, rhizomes, and tubers. In the United States it is found from Maine to Florida and several inland states.

Description:

There are several species of crabgrass that are common weeds in turfgrass. They include, Blanket Crabgrass, India Crabgrass, Smooth Crabgrass, Tropical Crabgrass, Large Crabgrass, and Hairy Crabgrass.
 

Description:

Introduction:

Chamberbitter is a summer annual weed that is commonly found in turfgrass and ornamentals that emerges in great numbers in July. It is native to Asia but found throughout Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and Texas. It is in the spurge family and reproduces by numerous seeds which are found in the fruit attached to the underside of the branch.

Description:

Bahiagrass is an aggressive mat-forming perennial in many southern lawns. It is a warm season grass that spreads by seeds and shallow underground rhizomes. It is native to South America and is common in the Gulf States.

Description:

Introduction:

Alligatorweed is a perennial aquatic weed commonly found in shallow waterways in Florida and other southern states. It belongs to the pigweed family and is sometimes accidentally introduced to landscape situations with new St. Augustine sod. It can survive on terrestrial sites that remain wet or boggy.
 


Description:

Virginia buttonweed is a low-growing, spreading weed that is difficult to control in lawn and landscape situations. It commonly grows in moist sites, such as woods and marshes, but can be especially troublesome in turfgrass areas.
     
Description:

Warm-season turf grasses such as Bermuda, centipede, zoysia and St. Augustine suffer some common problems with springtime green-up. Here are problems we see most often.
 
Mowing height is the most common problem as these grasses go from dormancy to active growth. Scalping is more common in zoysia grasses, especially in the denser-growth cultivars like Emerald.

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) is a popular cool-season grass species that has a bunching to weakly rhizomatous growth habit. Tall fescue is best adapted to Georgia’s piedmont region and is used for home lawns, general areas and for soil stabilization. In general, the southern boundary for tall fescue growth would be Griffin, although, it can be found in shaded or protected microclimates further south.
 

Proper irrigation is the key to maintaining turfgrasses. Although irrigation may be costly, a green and growing turf improves environmental conditions. The main benefits of a healthy turf include water and wind erosion control.