A variety of irrigation tools are available to help sports turf managers keep the facility looking great

American’s love their sports and packing the family up for a day at their favorite sports venue makes for a memorable weekend. The sports turf managers at these facilities work hard all season keeping the turf green, lush and healthy. Their job is made just a little bit easier with the use of irrigation tools to help them keep the grounds watered.

In addition to keeping the turf looking attractive, the sports turf manager strives to keep the turf healthy and create a durable playing field to help prevent injury to the athletes.

There are a variety of tools available to help the sports turf manager maximize his productivity. Most sports fields utilize an automatic sprinkler system. New advances in “smart controller” technology allow the irrigation controller to self-adjust watering times based on the current weather conditions. These smart controllers help the sports turf manager create the ideal moisture conditions to grow healthy turf that is capable of handling the rigors of a sports season.

In addition to the playing field there are many additional areas of the facility that need irrigation as well. These areas can use either drip irrigation or conventional pop-up sprinklers to help keep the landscaping attractive and healthy.

For all of your irrigation tool supplies visit the irrigation specialists at W.P. Law Inc.

An automatic watering system helps to maintain an attractive and durable playing field for sports facilities.

Automatic watering systems are a vital part of maintaining the health and appearance of turf at sports facilities. Watering is required to help keep the turf in the best possible condition. A sports arena’s turf needs to be attractive, durable and functional. Here’s why:

• Durability: No matter what sport is being played on the turf, it has to be able to withstand the constant trampling of athletes. Watering needs to be done on a regular schedule to help maintain the durability. An automatic watering system will ensure it gets the right amount of water at the right time.
• Functional: The turf has got to be functional to allow for all of the activities. If it is a golfing facility, the turf can affect the performance of the golfers. A poorly maintained course will keep golfers away.
• Appearance: An attractive facility is necessary to help keep patrons coming back for games. Good turf helps to add to the overall appearance of the facility. A facility with dried up turf will drive patrons away rather than pull them in.

For more information and pricing on automatic watering systems contact us today!

Controlling Bahiagrass in Warm-Season Turf

Bahiagrass is often considered a nuisance grass or weed when growing among more desirable grasses such as Centipede, St. Augustine, Zoysia, or Bermuda.  Bahiagrass is actively growing during the warmer months of the year and competes with other grasses for nutrients and sunlight.  Bahiagrass is considered unsightly due to its seed head that grows quickly and sticks out above other turf.  The seed head is "V" shaped at the end and contains numerous seeds that can spread quickly and invade other parts of Centipede, St. Augustine, Zoysia and Bermuda lawns. 

Bahiagrass is often found along highways and roadsides and works well for controlling erosion and is very drought tolerant.  In the Southeast, bahiagrass is often referred to as "highway grass" for this very reason.  It is usually not considered a highly desirable grass for lawns due to its lack of density and less than appealing seed head production. 

Lawns that contain other warm-season grasses such as Centipede, St. Augustine, Zoysia, or Bermuda often become infested with bahiagrass due to ability to quickly generate seeds.  The best control option to remove bahiagrass from Centipede, St. Augustine, Bermuda, and Zoysia is a selective herbicide known as Manor.  Manor selective herbicide can be sprayed over the top of existing Centipede, St. Augustine, Bermuda, and Zoysia grass to remove bahiagrass.  Manor is a low-use selective herbicide available in a 2 ounce bottle.  Rates for controlling bahiagrass range from 0.25-0.75 ounces per acre.  In addition to controlling bahiagrass, Manor also controls a large number of broadleaf weeds. 

When applying Manor herbicide to control bahiagrass, mix a non-ionic surfactant (spreader/sticker) agent to help bind the herbicide and spread it out evenly across the leaves of the grass.  Non-ionic surfactant is available in a liquid form and is mixed with the herbicide solution to yield better results.  Manor selective herbicide will normally take around three weeks before results are noticeable.  Most users are able to control bahiagrass with one application, but in situations of severe infestation, two applications may be necessary. 

Centipede, St. Augustine, Bermuda, and Zoysia may show some signs of of slight yellowing following application while their growth may be temporarily  stunted.  Mixing a chelated liquid iron with Manor selective herbicide will help mask any slight yellowing of Centipede, St. Augustine, Bermuda, and Zoysia following application.  Please remember to follow label directions.  Manor selective herbicide is available at your nearest W.P. Law Inc. location.  Click here for directions on store locations.  W.P. Law Inc. does ship anywhere in the U.S.  Please contact one of our offices for any additional questions you may have.

Weed Guide

How can I  control my Mosquito problem?

As the weather warms, this is the time of year people find themselves spending more time outdoors.  With an increase in temperatures, also come an increase in the mosquito population.  When getting ready for your outdoor activities, you don’t want mosquitoes to be a part of the festivities.

Mosquito control can be as easy as applying bifenthrin insecticide.   Bifenthrin insecticide is available in both a granular and liquid form and can be used in conjunction with one another for best control.  Mosquitoes prefer to hang out in cooler damp areas most of the day and are most active during evening and morning hours when temperatures are cooler. 

The sprayable liquid form of bifenthrin can be applied to shrubs and lower tree limbs where mosquitoes prefer to hang out.  Underneath decks and other damp shaded areas are targeted areas where bifenthrin can be applied as a liquid to reduce mosquito populations.

The granular version of bifenthrin can be applied in mulch or pine straw areas where mosquitoes seek refuge from hot summer temperatures.  These areas can be sprayed, but depending on size, the granular version may be less time consuming to apply.

Mosquito control with bifenthrin causes the mosquito’s central nervous system to become paralyzed when ingested or contacted. Bifenthrin is a synthetic pyrethroid. It’s a man-made pesticide that is very similar to the natural pesticide pyrethrum which is made out of chrysanthemum flowers.  Bifenthrin is considered a newer generation insecticide that replace older chemistries such as Diazanon and Dursban. 

Users should know that bifenthrin is highly toxic to fish, so make sure you don’t get any form of the product near your ponds. Bifenthrin is not harmful to your pets when it is dry.  Bifenthrin is safe to use in your yard, because it cannot be absorbed by plant foliage.  In addition to controlling mosquitoes, bifenthrin controls almost 100 other pests, including spiders, cockroaches, ticks, fleas, and termites.   See the product label to get the full list of pests, application rates and directions on how to apply.  Click below to see product labels for bifenthrin.

Bifenthrin Granular Label

Bifenthrin Liquid Label

Pre-emergent herbicides are an essential tool to help keep your lawn looking its best.  Pre-emergent herbicides when applied properly can keep annual weed seeds from germinating.  This is important, because many weeds can be prevented before they have a chance to compete with lawn and become a problem.  Because pre-emergent herbicides are used to prevent annual weeds, they must be applied prior to weeds germinating. 

Many people ask the question, "When is the best time to apply pre-emergent herbicides?"  To help answer this question, the professional staff at W.P. Law Inc. has put together a comprehensive fertilizer and weed prevention program for South Carolina grasses.  This schedule will outline when to apply pre-emergent herbicides and when to fertilize your lawn.  In South Carolina, we suggest applying three applications of pre-emergent herbicides to help protect against both cool-season and warm-season annual weeds.  W.P. Law Inc. has taken the guess work out of when and what types of fertilizers and pre-emergent herbicides to apply to your lawn.  Our programs cover the major grasses found in South Carolina including zoysia, centipede, fescue, st. augustine, and bermuda.  

Our professinal line of quality pre-emergent herbicides and fertilizers will help ensure you keep your lawn looking its best.  Since pre-emergent herbicide timing is critical, individuals can sign up to have reminder emails sent to them on when to apply pre-emergent herbicides and fertilizers for a variety of grass types.  Click the link below to learn more about the fertilizer and pre-emergent herbicide programs available through W.P. Law Inc. and sign up for program reminders of when to apply products for your type of grass.  At W.P. Law Inc., we help take the guess work out of keeping your lawn the envy of the neighborhood.

 Grass Fertilizer and Pre-emergent Herbicide Schedules 

Want to learn more about common weeds found througout South Carolina?  Click below to learn more.

Weed Management Guide

Painting dormant warm-season grasses such as Zoysia, St. Augustine, Centipede, and Bermuda has grown in popularity over recent years as individuals desire to have green color for their lawns during the winter months.  Turf paints or colorants eliminate the need to over-seed lawns with cool-season grasses such as ryegrass to give winter color to the lawn.

 

Painting your lawn has several benefits versus traditional over-seeding with ryegrass.  Turf paints will not compete with your existing grass for nutrients and sunlight in the spring when warm-season grasses come out of dormancy.  Also ryegrass must be mowed throughout the fall, winter, and spring months.  Turf paints or colorants keep individuals from having to mow their lawns during cooler months.  In order for lawns over-seeded with ryegrass to look their best, they must be fertilized to allow the ryegrass to mature and produce desirable green growth.  By apply a turf paint or turf colorant to your lawn, individuals can save fertilizer and mowing costs associated with over-seeding, while getting the green color they desire for their lawn.

 

One product that is showing favorable results for coloring dormant grasses and lawns is Grass Greenzit™.  This product is actually a permanent green pigment that does not wash off or fade with sunlight.  It is harmless to all grass types including St. Augustine, Bermuda, Zoysia, Centipede, and Fescue.  Grass Greenzit™ is sprayed onto turf and should be mixed with water.  When applying Grass Greenzit™, sprayers should be set up to deliver at least 3 gallons of finished solution per 1,000 sq. ft.  This will ensure that you get good coverage over the leaf blades of the grass to produce a solid color.  The rate of Grass Greenzit® on dormant grass is 16-32 oz per 1,000 sq. ft.  

 

When spraying Grass Greenzit™ to color turf, start with the lowest recommended rate.  If the color of turf paint is not dark enough for personal satisfaction, apply a second coat.  When making a second application of the turf paint or pigment, spray perpendicular to the first application.  This will ensure an even coverage of the paint on the lawn and will disguise any overlap. 

 

Turf or lawns that have been painted with Grass Greenzit™ come out of the spring transition stage stronger because they do not have to compete with over-seeded ryegrass.  Also grasses that are painted instead of over-seeded with ryegrass, allow individuals to use pre-emergent herbicides in the fall to prevent cool-season annual weeds.  This type of weed control is not possible when over-seeding with ryegrass, because it will prevent seed germination.  The combination of pre-emergent herbicide and Grass Greenzit™ produce weed free, green lawns that are visually attractive during the cooler months in South Carolina.

 

Grass Greenzit™ should only be applied when temperatures are above 40°F when painting grasses.  Shake container thoroughly before mixing with water.  Mixing rates for painting turf and lawns will vary due to individual preferences.  Grass Greenzit™ is available in 2.5 gallon jugs from your local W.P. Law Inc. store which are located throughout South Carolina.  Grass Greenzit™ can be applied residential lawns, commercial lawns, athletic fields, and golf courses.

Fescue Lawn and Landscape Fall Maintenance Tips

As we come into the fall season, and the leaves pile up, remember the fescue grass seed you just planted and pampered. It’s important to remove the debris that is accumulating to give your fescue lawn a better chance during the upcoming growing season. Fall leaves can block out sunlight and limit the growth of your fescue lawn.  Here are some things to get done during this time of year to help improve the health of your landscape and fescue lawn.

1. Remove any leaves that may be covering up your fescue lawn and limiting sunlight.   
2. Aerate your fescue lawn.  Aeration improves fescue roots by allowing more oxygen into the root zone.
3. Clean out annual and perennial beds; apply new mulch/pine straw, fertilizer etc.  A balanced slow-release fertilizer such as 14-14-14 will allow for healthier plants when new growth begins in the spring.
4. Survey trees for limbs to be removed, both dead and low hanging.  Dead and low hanging limbs can interfere with needed sunlight for your fescue lawn.
5. For information on weed prevention and fertilization for your fescue lawn, consult the W.P. Law Inc. Fescue Fertilization Program.  Additional information on Insect Control and Disease Control for your fescue lawn can be found on our website as well.
6. Start a compost pile from your yard debris. It makes for a great vegetable garden and a good place to introduce children or grandchildren to worms for the next fishing trip.

Written by:
Morris (Mo) Gray
W. P. Law, Inc.
Greenville Branch

Drip Tape Plugging

As more vegetable growers try to get extra seasons out of their drip tape and plastic mulch, they have more problems with drip tape plugging. There are many causes to drip tape plugging, including sand or debris as well as organic slimes. The combination of the two is like brick and mortar and sure to clog the emitters. The organic slimes including algae are most common when using surface water as an irrigation source. When using drip tape for 2 or more growing seasons, even good well water will allow organic slime to build in the piping and drip tape over time.

Filters will solve the sand and debris problem, but the organic slimes, including algae and iron bacteria, grow in the piping and drip tape down stream of the filter. If your emitters have started to plug with organic slimes, they can be cleaned by injecting Di-Oxy Flush by Flo-Tec, Inc. The best way to know if you are starting to have tape plugging is by installing and monitoring a flow meter. Otherwise, you will know you have problems when your crop starts to wilt, but by then, you have suffered a major loss of production.

Flo-Tec manufactures a preventative product called Matrix II to be injected on a continual basis to prevent organic build up.

Flo-Tec products are safe for the plants and are designed to meet the needs of your specific water source. For the best and the most economical results, contact W.P. Law Inc.,a Flo-Tec Certified Dealer, to test your water source and recommend a product and injection rate. Organic growers, be sure to ask about OMRI  listed Di-Oxy Solv.

Some growers do not want to spend the extra money to inject maintenance products, but these are certainly more economical than the alternative.

How Do I Winterize the Pump Suction Line?

Winterizing the pump is one thing, but how do winterize the suction line?   There are several ways to deal with this situation.

If the suction line is short, 60 feet or less and the foot-valve end is not anchored, simply disconnect the intake and pull the suction line from the water.  When the foot-valve is ashore, lift it until the water runs down the pipe.  While lifting, walk forward to force the water “downhill” and out of the other end.  When the suction line is empty store it in a shady place to protect it from the sun until needed the following spring.

If the suction line is longer but in relatively shallow water maybe five feet deep, just wade out, raise the end of the foot-valve to the level of the water, remove the screen and depress the poppet check device until water stops flowing.  Reinstall the screen and let the pipe settle to the bottom.  What you have just done is to drain the water in the pipe to the water level at the shore line.  The water will not freeze (in our climate) when this is done.   If the suction is deeper and a wet suit and scuba gear is out of the question, loop a length of rope around the pipe at the shore line, get into a boat, and while moving away from the pump gently slide the rope down the pipe until you reach the foot-valve and bring it to the surface.  Follow the steps above and release the pipe when finished.  If you do not wish to follow this procedure every year, tie a float to the end of the suction line, then boat out and raise the foot-valve.

Winterizing Your Irrigation System