All Quiet on The Midwestern Front

Sample submission has essentially ceased in Wisconsin. We have had a few samples of basal rot anthracnose, but really nothing else. Dollar spot is still lingering, although we are not seeing new spots develop in our forecasting experiments. The weather has been fantastic for fall aerifications and fall golf in the Midwest. Currently day time temperatures throughout the Midwest range from the low 80's to the low 70's and night time temperatures are ranging from the high 40's to high 50's.

The temperatures are ideal for cool-season grass growth, yet we have been fairly dry especially in Northern Wisconsin. Most of the Midwest did not receive any appreciable rainfall from Sept. 2 to Sept 8.

Dr. Derek Settle of the Chicago District Golf Association did report some Bipolaris leaf spot on a few creeping bentgrass putting greens, but really nothing else. In his weekly update he made an excellent point about this year. Although disease activity was low, it was still a very difficult year. We experienced one of the worst economic downturns since the Great Depression, which forced many golf course superintendents to make difficult budgetary decisions. From what I gathered from Derek's post, it sounded like many golf course superintendents in the Chicagoland area would rather deal with disease issues rather than the budget issues they dealt with this year.

On a completely unrelated note, for those that have gardens at the shop you should check your tomatoes for late blight. Late blight has been reported on tomatoes and potatoes in Illinois and Wisconsin. If you suspect that you have late blight submit a sample to a diagnostic lab and they will provide a recommendation on how to dispose of the plant properly.