Turf Advice

Lawn Management Calendars

Management Calendar for Cool-Season Lawns

Management Calendar for Warm-Season Lawns

Plant Growth Regulators

Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are commonly applied to highly maintained turf. In addition to reduced clipping yield, PGRs can improve turf quality and stress tolerance while reducing fertility requirements. Season-long growth suppression is required to maximize the benefits associated with PGRs. The UNL Turf Program is continuing to research PGRs, including the development of growing degree day (GDD) models to predict PGR performance. Our PGR GDD Tracker program can help schedule PGR applications to cool-season putting greens. Maximize PGR effectiveness today with our help.

Effective Use of Plant Growth Regulators -- USGA Green Section Record, 2015
Bill Kreuser's PGR Interview -- Superintendents Radio Network, Golf Course Industry, April 2015

Estimating PGR Performance with GDDs

Precise PGR Applications on Greens -- Golf Course Management, August 2012
PGRs: How GDDs Affect Scheduling
A Growing Degree Day Model to Schedule Trinexapac-ethyl Applications on Agrostis stolonifera Golf Putting Greens -- Crop Science, September-October 2011

Frequent Trinexapac-ethyl Applications Reduce Nitrogen Requirements of Creeping Bentgrass Golf Putting Greens -- Crop Science, May-June 2012

How Growth Regulators Change Putting Green Nitrogen Requirements -- The Grass Roots, 2012

Soil Testing and Fertility

Soil testing is a good way to estimate soil fertility. It also provides peace of mind when making decisions about turfgrass fertilization. The key to meaningful soil testing is consistency in sampling and analysis. The information below can help build confidence in soil sampling and interpretation of soil test results.