1. Managing Kentucky Bluegrass in the Heat at University of Evansville Bob Dale Supervisor of Grounds University of Evansville

2. Kentucky Bluegrass in Evansville Why??!! Why??!!

3. Favorable Characteristics of Bluegrass Excellent density Excellent density Good surface resiliency Good surface resiliency Good recovery from damage Good recovery from damage Excellent spring and fall color Excellent spring and fall color Moderate drought tolerance Moderate drought tolerance

4. Does Bluegrass Fit Our Seasons of Play? January 18 th Start of Practice (Baseball\Softball) January 18 th Start of Practice (Baseball\Softball) February 18 th Home Opener February 18 th Home Opener Mid-end of May: Last Regular Season Game Mid-end of May: Last Regular Season Game

7. Seed Variety Selection Used NTEP trials (USDA) Used NTEP trials (USDA) www.ntep.org www.ntep.org www.ntep.org

8. Qualities Rated Winter Color Winter Color Transition Zone Quality Transition Zone Quality Spring Greenup Spring Greenup Genetic Color Genetic Color Mowing Height at 1-2 Mowing Height at 1-2 Summer Patch Resistance Summer Patch Resistance Drought Tolerance Drought Tolerance

9. Qualities Weighting Trans. Zone Quality 3X Trans. Zone Quality 3X Spring Greenup, Summer Patch Resistance, Drought Tolerance 2X Spring Greenup, Summer Patch Resistance, Drought Tolerance 2X All others 1X All others 1X

16. Mild Soil Temp Adjustment About 4-5 degrees F

21. December 01

28. Good Communication is Key Element to Maintenance Document problem areas, stress factors and environmental conditions Document problem areas, stress factors and environmental conditions Share those with coaches (These are Xs and Os to them)!! Share those with coaches (These are Xs and Os to them)!!

31. Aeration is varied between hollow and solid tines and from 1-5 depths

32. When Necessary, We Improvise

33. Signage and Communication are Key Elements

34. Limit Traffic Whenever Possible or Necessary

35. Common Diseases of Cool Season Grasses Pythium Pythium Brown Patch Brown Patch Dollar Spot Dollar Spot Necrotic Ring Spot Necrotic Ring Spot Summer Patch Summer Patch

36. Use of high potassium organic fertilizer with fair amount of sulfur (4%) and Banner Maxx Use of high potassium organic fertilizer with fair amount of sulfur (4%) and Banner Maxx Raise mowing height from 1-1/4 to 2 Raise mowing height from 1-1/4 to 2 Avoid frequent irrigation Avoid frequent irrigation How We Control Problem Diseases

37. FERTILIZATION Combinations of organic, IBDU and WSN sources Combinations of organic, IBDU and WSN sources 6#N per year, all others based on soil tests (2x\year) and tissue testing on the sand based area 6#N per year, all others based on soil tests (2x\year) and tissue testing on the sand based area Micronutrients every two weeks in the summer Micronutrients every two weeks in the summer Make certain of late season fertilization Make certain of late season fertilization How we leave it in November, is what we will play on in February!! How we leave it in November, is what we will play on in February!!

38. Weed Control Primarily spot treatments in May Primarily spot treatments in May A poor stand of grass is not a result of weeds. Weeds are a result of a poor stand of grass A poor stand of grass is not a result of weeds. Weeds are a result of a poor stand of grass

39. Summary of our Most Difficult Problems Disease Disease Control with combination of cultural and chemical Control with combination of cultural and chemical Timing and height of mowing Timing and height of mowing Judicious watering Judicious watering

40. Summary of Difficult Problems Summer Play (Tournaments in June, July and August) Summer Play (Tournaments in June, July and August) Insist on knowing the schedule well in advance and prepare the field for those events Insist on knowing the schedule well in advance and prepare the field for those events You dont want to have your fungicide application nearing its end of effectiveness just prior or during a 3 day long tournament! You dont want to have your fungicide application nearing its end of effectiveness just prior or during a 3 day long tournament! Build the moisture level slowly prior to, and water heavily following the tournaments Build the moisture level slowly prior to, and water heavily following the tournaments

41. Summary of Difficult Problems Slow Establishment of Bluegrass Slow Establishment of Bluegrass Seed as early in fall as possible Seed as early in fall as possible Pre germ when possible…as a last resort, we might use some rye Pre germ when possible…as a last resort, we might use some rye

44. Summary of Difficult Problems Slow Establishment of Bluegrass Slow Establishment of Bluegrass Seed as early in fall as possible Seed as early in fall as possible Pre germ when possible…as a last resort, we might use some rye Pre germ when possible…as a last resort, we might use some rye Recognize bluegrass is a very heavy feeder that needs 1#N every growing month during establishment Recognize bluegrass is a very heavy feeder that needs 1#N every growing month during establishment

45. Know Your Field Recognize and correct problems early Recognize and correct problems early Document problems and times they occur to prevent them in the future Document problems and times they occur to prevent them in the future Share your findings Share your findings Look at your field daily, if you want to be outstanding in OUR field….. Look at your field daily, if you want to be outstanding in OUR field…..

46. You Better Be Caught Often Out Standing In YOUR Field!

47. Questions or Comments Questions or Comments