College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

• 

  Agriculture support labs still open for business, with modifications

  Published on April 1, 2020
  As the pandemic of COVID-19, the infectious disease caused by novel coronavirus, impacts farmers’ ability to get ready for planting season, labs and other support aids remain open with limitations.

• 

  A prolific crop of maple tree seedlings are sprouting up in lawns across Michigan

  Published on April 26, 2024
  It's not unusual to see tree seedlings sprouting up in lawns in spring, and this year is no different. Many homeowners inquire about spraying herbicides to eliminate these pesky, diminutive trees, but the best answer is to keep mowing.

• 

  Fall colors make good mulch

  Published on October 23, 2014
  Mulching leaves into your lawn is a good way to add nutrients, reduce yard waste and save time and money.

• 

  Soil testing through MSU Extension

  Published on March 11, 2025
  MSU Extension home lawn and garden and commercial soil tests provide access to personalized fertilizer recommendations for thousands of Michigan residents every year.

• Diagnosing chinch bug problems in home lawns

  Published on August 26, 2011
  Most of the damage is over with for this year, but it’s not too late to check for chinch bug damage and spot-spray infested areas.

• 

  How much water does your lawn irrigation system apply?

  Published on July 8, 2020
  As dry conditions persist, knowing how much water your irrigation system applies is critical for maintaining healthy turf.

• 

  Smart soils using the MSU Home Lawn and Garden Soil Test Mailer

  Published on August 21, 2014
  Fall is an excellent time to tune up your garden or lawn for the coming year by taking a soil test.

• 

  Christmas tree, turf and ornamental plants update – April 21, 2017

  Published on April 21, 2017
  Callery pears are showing up in the landscape, and white pine weevil adults are being caught in traps. Fishing spider activity is early this year.

• 

  Christmas tree, turf and ornamental plant update – May 5, 2017

  Published on May 5, 2017
  Adult pine false webworm are active, mowing wet turf can cause problems and use fresh soil media when planting containers.

• 

  Using climatology to estimate first freezing temperatures of the fall season

  Published on August 30, 2019
  Statistics help narrow down the timing of first freezing temperatures across Michigan.

• Japanese stilt grass alert

  Published on May 26, 2006
  Japanese stilt grass came to the eastern United States accidentally and has been spreading rapidly into the Midwest.

• Michigan horses found positive for mosquito-borne disease Eastern Equine Encephalitis

  Published on July 26, 2010
  

• 

  Excessive rain taking a toll on turfgrass

  Published on July 9, 2015
  Near record-breaking rainfall amounts in June have resulted in some turfgrass areas starting to suffer from waterlogged soils, diseases and nutrient deficiencies.

• Thinking about treating for grubs?

  Published on May 4, 2007
  

• Early season nursery crop disease management

  Published on April 18, 2008
  Nursery growers should be on a routine copper fungicide program to help reduce the spread of bacterial blight, especially when lilacs are overwintered in polyhouses.

• Weeds flowering in turf

  Published on May 7, 2010
  

• 

  MSU alum connects current students with PGA Tour golf course preparation experience

  Published on August 22, 2019
  MSU students help prepare the golf course for the PGA FedEx Cup Championship in partnership with the agronomy team at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia.

• 

  Pinkish-red strands in grass could be red thread

  Published on June 26, 2019
  Red thread is often associated with under-fertilized turf and one of the simplest recommendations to alleviate disease pressure is to fertilize.

• Spill prevention, control and countermeasures for farms

  Published on March 20, 2013
  Farmers whose fuel oil storage capacity meet the EPA’s Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures program criteria have until May 10, 2013 to file their SPCC plan.

• 

  What are my options when renewing my pesticide certification?

  Published on April 15, 2021
  Pesticide applicators can now take their certification exam remotely.