Another week for us to reflect on this season. Here goes. We've returned to more normal temperatures and we caught some needed rainfall. The redbuds continue to flower nicely along with the Korean Spice viburnum. Crabapples have just begun and today I saw my first lilac begin its bloom as well. Another first report of dollar spot, this time a far north suburb. Our March was unlike that of any other spring. - such a rapid warmup so early. So, I have been fielding calls from golf course superintendents as to when to begin applications for you name it - seedhead suppression, prevention of fungal diseases and preemergent applications to prevent annual weeds like crabgrass. The next question is what to do. Same usual interval, or should we try to stretch it and hope normal/cooler weather to smooth out the rest? I usually respond, "Ummm". It turns out, we are all dumbfounded by 2012. How do I know? Most often I have these conversations with the best and brightest who, by their very nature, are most experienced. That says something of superintendents - that a gifted and experienced plantsmen would have no memory of a spring like this ever happening. And that's 147 years worth - weather chroniclers and our landscape continues to see new data (green up and flowering dates). Our pencils need sharpening - already.Click here to view the March 30, 2012 Scouting Report.
Have a nice weekend and enjoy a more normal spring.
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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