Home > Lawn & Garden > Commercial Horticulture > Turfgrass > Poll Takes Pulse of Home Lawn Care [Image: lawn] Consumer Reports magazine released its second annual lawn care poll in the May issue. See the results. Gypsum to soften hard soil? Probably not… [Image: pie] The reality of the myth that gypsum added to a lawn or garden will definitely improve soil tilth and strength, falls into the realm of agricultural practices being misapplied to ornamental landscapes. Sod Farming is Not Strip Mining [Image: sod] Some people believe a turfgrass sod farm will eventually look like a strip mine because top soil is depleted with each harvest. Blue-Green Algae on Greens [Image: algae] With the ever increasing demand for faster, more competitive putting green surfaces, superintendents are finding blue-green algae encroachment on putting greens an all too common theme.  more articles... Turfgrass Herbicides Recommended for 2009 [Image: spray] This is a PDF chart of 2009 (home and commercial) recommended lawn and turfgrass herbicides and their general usage. Falling Leaves – Pretty, But Dangerous To Waterways [Image: Fall leaves] Grass clippings are a constant in yard maintenance, but fall introduces leaves into the mix. This year the nuisance is worse because hurricanes and storms have defoliated more trees. Dealing With Salinity Soil salts affect turf mostly by withholding moisture from plant tissues. They may also compete for uptake of nutrient ions. Try these suggestions to manage a soil salinity situation. Ounces Equal Gallons: Sprayer Calibration [Image: spray] A simple but accurate way of checking the output of your sprayer is the H 128 method of sprayer calibration. Managing Ultra-dwarf Greens [Image: green] Most high-end golf courses in Louisiana play on high-speed, dense, ultra-dwarf bermudagrasses like TifEagle, Champion or Mini Verde. These new-generation grasses can be wonderful but unforgiving compared to older grasses like TifDwarf or TifGreen. Maintaining Skinned Areas [Image: ball] There is a lot of play on the skinned areas of a ball field. Proper maintenance is required for safety and quality play. Controlling Weeds in Lawns [Image: weeds] Simple and common materials to control weeds in lawns. Saving Athletic Fields [Image: sport] A good sports field doesn’t just happen. Even well constructed fields will be worn out if over used or abused.To better sustain your current turf surface this year, manage these prime considerations. Louisiana Plant Pathology: St. Augustine Decline [Image: st. augustinegrass] St. Augustine disease is a virus disease that affects St. Augustine grass across the Gulf States. This fact sheet describes the disease and how to mange it. Color photos are included. (PDF Format Only) Planting Dormant Sod [Image: sod] Dormant-season sodding can be successful. Planting dormant grass is simply more risky; winter environmental conditions may end up taking some of the sod. In some cases, risks have to be taken. Click for more information...