Important timely turfgrass update from the OSU Turf Team.

The characteristic damage produced by Oak Slug Sawflies is evident on their namesake hosts in southwest Ohio. Some of the damage occurred earlier in the season, while other damage is occurring right now.

Do you fight weeds in your gardens? You’re not alone! Every year weeds pop up in our gardens and it can be hard to keep them under control. There are several pre and post emergent herbicide options on the market, but that’s not what I’m covering today. I’m going to look at some common garden weeds and the number of seeds one plant produces. When we start to think about the number of seeds that weeds produce, we soon realize why they are such a problem to control.

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Buttonbush is highly tolerant of poorly drained soils and is commonly found in Ohio, thriving in wetlands and at the edge of ponds. However, it does not do well at the dry end of the soil moisture spectrum. It may also be attacked by sawflies and leafminers.

In a recent cemetery walk, I noticed a Japanese Maple that appeared to be two different plants. In actuality, there are two varieties in one. The reality is it was 2 different varieties of Japanese Maple. The question… Where is the Graft Union?

Sunflower Headclipping Weevil females are beheading members of the aster family with purple coneflowers being a primary target. Free of their heads, the coneflower stems look like soda straws.

Check out this week's Turfgrass Team Times with the latest and greatest information about all things turfgrass.

Brood XIV (14) of the 17-year Periodical Cicadas have come and gone in Ohio, leaving behind oviposition damage (flagging) as a reminder of their spring fling. Annual Cicadas are now arriving on the scene along with their nemesis, Cicada Killer Wasps. Later, another trophic level may be added with the arrival of Red Velvet Ants.

If Trees Could Talk, what would they tell us? When you look at the lifetime of older trees, our lifetime can seem brief. I had this thought while attending a graveside service last Saturday.

In 2021, I posted a BYGL Alert titled, “Itchy Alert” (August 9, 2021) regarding a possible connection between periodical cicadas and itchy outbreaks of a non-native parasitic “itch mite." The Alert referenced reports from Maryland of itchy outbreaks associated with Brood X (10) of the 17-year.