College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

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  Don’t always assume lawns not greening up is due to grubs

  Published on April 30, 2015
  There are several reasons other than grubs that may keep turfgrass from greening up, like deicing salt injury and dog spot.

• Forecasting insect activity by noting plant development and degree days

  Published on July 1, 2011
  Predict insect activity by watching plant development and checking the accumulation of degree days. Here’s how.

• One tough nutsedge

  Published on July 2, 2010
  

• Disaster Resiliency Requires Accounting for Unique Family Needs

  Published on May 9, 2011
  The June 2011 emergency preparedness goal for the Do1Thing website is about making families more disaster resilient by planning for the unique needs of each family.

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  MSU Extension announces statewide public listening sessions in November and December

  Published on November 6, 2023
  Staff, partners and members of the public alike are encouraged to attend and voice their ideas to help shape the future of Extension.

• New legislation aims to protect Michigan’s waters from phosphorous in turf fertilizers

  Published on November 17, 2011
  New legislation prohibits the use of phosphorus fertilizers on residential or commercial lawns, beginning January 1, 2012.

• Tough to control broadleaf weeds flowering

  Published on May 16, 2013
  The second best chance you have to control troubling broadleaf weeds such as ground ivy is when they're flowering.

• Isolation distances to protect water quality

  Published on December 2, 2011
  Water quality can be impacted on Michigan farms by virtue of distance the practice has to surface water and wells.

• Irrigation do’s and don’ts

  Published on August 22, 2008
  

• How to best handle the dismissal of employees

  Published on September 18, 2008
  

• Lawn fertilization tips, really!

  Published on May 13, 2011
  Will Epsom salt, baby shampoo and beer really help your grass grow?

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  Will grass grow in my shady lawn?

  Published on April 28, 2016
  Grasses need eight or more hours of full sunlight a day. If you’re struggling to grow grass even after water and fertilizing, a shady lawn may be the problem.

• The ups and downs of Japanese beetle populations

  Published on July 12, 2012
  Relative abundance of Japanese beetles in your yard this year compared with last year mostly depends on the amount of rain the previous July and August.

• Watch for potato leafhopper feeding injury to red, Norway and sugar maples

  Published on June 10, 2011
  When nearby alfalfa or forage fields are cut, potato leafhoppers will leave the field to look for food plants, including red, Norway and sugar maple trees.

• Seedheads in lawns

  Published on May 7, 2011
  

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  Celebrating the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation’s 50 years of impact at MSU

  Published on December 18, 2024
  Since 1974, philanthropic support from the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation has strengthened MSU’s world-renowned turfgrass program.

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  Tree, turf and ornamental plant update – June 12, 2018

  Published on June 12, 2018
  Maple petiole borers, balsam twig aphids, four-lined plant bugs, rose chafers, bat bugs and carpenter bees are active. Delphinella shoot blight is visible on Concolor fir, and the “Weed Control Guide for Christmas Trees” has been updated.

• Mid-Michigan ag technology field day

  Published on July 8, 2011
  Ag technology equipment and services will be demonstrated at a field day in mid-Michigan on July 27.

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  Plant and soil service labs open during COVID-19 shutdowns

  Published on March 30, 2020
  MSU’s Plant & Pest Diagnostics and Soil and Plant Nutrient Laboratory remain open during “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order.

• Mowing turf through the rain

  Published on April 29, 2011
  Mowing your lawn while turf is still wet may cause more damage than good.