Chicago/Northern Illinois Update: Derek Settle -
More normal temperatures? Yes, is the answer to that question this week. Since March 26th we've had low temperatures dipping down into the 30s and 40s in Chicago. We didn't complain as it represented a return to normal spring weather - we have written records of these temps! It did mean that sooner or later a hard frost would happen and it did. I would find that out in an email today. This morning news from Sunshine Course came - with a request. It said, "There is frost on the course this morning, please refrain from going out on the course until 10 a.m. this morning." The early activity of emails and phone calls with which I had been involved, especially early this season, went away. The communications dropped off as quickly as our nighttime low temperatures had. Instead, in a week, I was happy to watch lilacs and flowering crabapples begin their bloom. The two combined expanded our color palate beyond the early woodie ornamental display of yellows and whites. As far as applications go, some superintendents would be making their second timed-application to prevent Poa annua seedhead development on golf playing surfaces. On little Sunshine Course in Lemont, as well as others, our first fungicide would be necessary to suppress dollar spot which perhaps enjoyed its earliest development in a given season. What a string of 80s can do for you in March! Next up? Easter!
Click here to view the April 6, 2012 Scouting Report.
Have a great weekend and Happy Easter!
Derek Settle, PhD
Director of Turfgrass Program
630-685-2307 dsettle@cdga.org Weather Blog
Timothy A. Sibicky, MS
Manager of Turfgrass Research
630-685-2310 tsibicky@cdga.org Research Blog
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