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LSU's Tiger Stadium has installed Celebration Bermudagrass for the 2010 football season and beyond.  "Death Valley" is just the latest LSU park to add Celebration.  The softball, baseball and soccer facilities already use this improved, dark green bermudagrass.  Click on the video to get a closer look. 

Identify what's bugging you in this 5 minute, insect description video.

Be aware that fall armyworms are starting to appear throughout the Carolinas. This is the time of year that these and other worms are most active and at peak numbers. The problem with this pest has likely been made even worse by the hot and dry weather that is limiting the wild vegetation that would typically serve as hosts for fall armyworms. The infestations normally start at the edge of the turf and move inward. Be alert for this pest and take the time to check for it each week. This pest can stay with us through October.

Please refer to our resources page for information on monitoring, identification and control.

Fall Armyworm	Fall Armyworm Adult (Moth)

Fall Armyworm Lawn Damage

EMPIRE Turf - Care and Maintenance - Summer 2010

Video Notes:


Step 1 - Fertilization.  If you didn't fertilize in the Spring, you can apply a fertilizer with a 1-1 ration of nitrogen to potassium...like a 15-0-15.  The middle number is phosphorus and it can usually be zero.  If you did fertilize in the Spring, you can wait till late Summer or early Fall to do so again. 

Step 2 - Irrigation.  Don't overwater in the hot months.  EMPIRE needs about an inch of water per week either from in-ground irrigation or natural rainfall.  Wait for a sign that the grass is in need of watering before irrigating...like blades of the EMPIRE Turf wilting.  Water in the early morning hours for best results.  Too much water can lead to fungus outbreaks, like Large Patch.  

Step 3 - Mowing.  You will likely mow more often in the Summer.  Just make sure to not remove more than 1/3 of the leaf blade when mowing.  Mowing too low can stress the grass and it will turn brown.  If you miss a mowing, it might take multiple mowings to get the grass back to the height you like.  Wait about 3-5 days between each mowing.  

Watch out for Hunting Billbugs.  If you have had them in the past but are free of them at the moment, treat with an insecticide application this fall.

 

St. Augustine Grass - Care and Maintenance - Summer 2010

Video Notes:


Step 1 - Fertilization.  If you didn't fertilize in the Spring, you can apply a fertilizer with a 1-1 ration of nitrogen to potassium...like a 15-0-15.  The middle number is phosphorus and it can usually be zero.  If you did fertilize in the Spring, you can wait till late Summer or early Fall to do so again.  A 2-0-1 ratio fertilizer is also ok for St. Augustines....like a 16-0-8.

Step 2 - Irrigation.  Don't overwater in the hot months.  St. Augustines need about an inch of water per week either from in-ground irrigation or natural rainfall.  Water in the early morning hours for best results.  Too much water can lead to fungus outbreaks, like Grey Leaf Spot.  

Step 3 - Mowing.  You will likely mow more often in the Summer.  Just make sure to not remove more than 1/3 of the leaf blade when mowing.  Mowing too low can stress the grass and it will turn brown.  If you miss a mowing, it might take multiple mowings to get the grass back to the height you like.  Wait about 3-5 days between each mowing.  

Watch out for Chinch Bugs.  If you find them in you yard, use an insecticide with bifenthrin or carbaryl to get rid of the infestation.    

 

St. Augustine Grass - Care and Maintenance - Spring 2010

Video Notes:


Step 1 - Apply Fertilizer.  We recommend something with a 2-0-1 ratio  (eg...(16-0-8))

Step 2 - Prevent the onset of Summer weeds by applying Pre-emergent herbicide.  You can buy it already mixed in with the fertilizer.

Step 3 - Watch out for fungus...especially Grey-Leaf Spot and Brown Patch.  If you have had problems before or have an area with extra shade or moisture, apply a fungicide with an active ingredient.  Water 1 inch per week, either from natural rainfall or from inground irrigation.  Overwatering can lead to disease of turfgrass.

Step 4 - Hold off applying insecticide to begin Spring.  Monitor grass each week.  Chinch bugs are the number one St. Augustine enemy, but usually start showing up in Summer through early Fall.  If you get chinch bugs, treat with an insecticide that contains Bifenthrin or Carbaryl. 

 

 

EMPIRE Turf - Care and Maintenance - Spring 2010
Get your EMPIRE Turf zoysia lawn ready for Spring and Summer.  This video will guide you through some simple care instructions for getting your EMPIRE lawn looking its best. 

Video Notes:

Step 1 - MOW LOW.  For the first mowing of the year, scalp the lawn with the mower and bag the clippings.

Step 2 - Apply Fertilizer.  We recommend a 1-0-1 ratio.  (eg...(15-0-15))

Step 3 - Apply Pre-emergent herbicide to prevent summer weeds.  You can buy it already mixed in with fertilizer.

Step 4 - To prevent Billbugs and other insect pests, put down a broad spectrum insecticide containing bifenthrin.  Make sure to water any granular insecticides into the lawn.

Step 5 - EMPIRE Turf needs about 3/4 of an inch of water per week from either natural rainfall or inground irrigation.  Overwatering can lead to fungus outbreaks.  If needed, put down a systemic fungicide with an active ingredient.

 

 

 

Follow a few simple steps and get your EMPIRE Turf looking great again after the cold southern winter of 2010.

This video will give you a few simple steps to get your St. Augustine grass looking in top shape after the cold southern winter of 2010.

Celebration Bermudagrass has been gaining popularity in the United States for use in major stadiums. Now other countries are following suit. Recently two facilities used by some of the best soccer teams in South America and Europe have changed their grass over to Celebration.

Botafogo FR, a soccer (futebol) club from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil has put down Celebration on its home field of Joao Havelange Olympic Stadium, simply known as Engenhao. Botafogo FR belongs to the Major National League and recently won a State Championship.

 

 

The grass was put down last December because the Tifway 419 they were using was having issues dealing with heavy foot traffic and shade caused by the stadium overhangs. Celebration has rated best in test for both of those issues. The sod was provided by Itograss and installed by Greenleaf Gramados.

The other huge stadium recently installed hails from Spain. Spanish first division club Valencia CF put down Celebration leading into the 2009-2010 season at their home field since 1923, Estadio Mestalla. Sod was provided for the 55,000 seat stadium by Spanish company Ibergreen and put down last September. Valencia is one of the more successful clubs in Spanish football and has an extremely large worldwide fanbase.