The 2026 Purdue Turf and Landscape Field Day, hosted by the Midwest Regional Turf Foundation and Purdue University, took place on July 21 at the W.H. Daniel Turfgrass Research and Diagnostic Center in West Lafayette. A near-record crowd of 486 attendees traveled from 15 states to be there, a reach that shows how far the…Read more about Purdue Turf and Landscape Field Day 2026 Recap and a Look Ahead to 2027[Read More]
Resources for landscapes and gardens in the Midwest
Landscape Report
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There was a period earlier this year when southern Indiana was getting all the rain. Flooding was a concern. The rest of Indiana was hoping for their share. Then this week happened. A lot of rain has fallen almost everywhere but southern Indiana. Perhaps this will provide some time for those down south to assess…Read more about A lot of rain before a break comes[Read More]
The Green Industry offers exciting opportunities for young professionals who are passionate about plants, people, and the environment. Whether you work in landscape management, nursery production, turfgrass management, arboriculture, garden centers, or another horticulture-related field, the first years of your career can shape your future success. Join the Young Professionals of the Green Industry webinar…Read more about Young Professionals Webinar: Growing Careers in the Green Industry[Read More]
Rosaceous plants are fairly disease prone and it can be fairly hard to keep them healthy and clean in the landscape, especially without applying large quantities of fungicide. One of the more common diseases we see on apple, crabapple, and ornamental pear is fire blight, caused by Erwinia amylovora, that causes significant damage to susceptible…Read more about Black rot, stem canker, and frogeye, Oh My!: Black rot of Apple and Friends[Read More]
By late July, Indiana had settled into a typical midsummer pattern. Warm, humid days with warm overnight temperatures were common, and scattered thunderstorms left a patchwork of rainfall across the state. Extreme heat was brief, but the steady warmth kept crops progressing at a near-normal pace. Through July 28, accumulated MGDDs ranged from around 1,440…Read more about July Settles into a Familiar Indiana Summer Pattern[Read More]
If you didn’t pre-register for field day, you can still sign up on site. Come Registration is open for the 2026 Purdue Turf and Landscape Field Day! The lineup for landscapers and arborists can’t be missed this year! In addition to morning and afternoon presentations, there is a trade show and a catered lunch that…Read more about Register On-Site for the Purdue Turf and Landscape Field Day[Read More]
Healthy tree canopy in our communities does far more than provide shade and beauty—it supports public health, environmental quality, and local economies. Trees filter air pollutants, moderate temperatures, reduce stormwater runoff, and even contribute to improved mental well-being and stronger communities. Yet despite these benefits, proper tree care is not a simple or risk-free task….Read more about Find An Arborist Tool – Reminder to Arborists to Update their Profiles and to Tree Owners on How to Find the Best Quality Tree Work[Read More]
During my career at Purdue, I have found that the dandelion—best known for its bright yellow flower—elicits a wide range of opinions from homeowners, farmers, and the general public. The dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a perennial plant with several unique characteristics. Its deeply lobed leaves grow in a low rosette pattern, allowing the plant to…Read more about The Dandelion[Read More]
Those of a certain age will remember concerns about a hole in the ozone layer dominating the news in the mid 1980’s. This concern led to the ban of chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s), and other ozone-depleting chemicals via the Montreal Protocol. According to the European Environment Agency, since the early 2000’s, the hole has been shrinking and…Read more about Ozone Damage to Landscape Plants: A hidden stress[Read More]
It’s hot in Indiana, and the insects are out! We recommend scouting for many pests that become active in spring and early summer, such as scales and bagworms, because management is most effective when applied soon after they emerge. But the scouting season isn’t over yet—several pests become active throughout the late summer months. Here…Read more about Late summer landscape pests to watch for[Read More]
Our first significant heat wave hit Indiana this week with the added benefit of high humidity. Because the humidity reduces the rate our sweat can evaporate from our skin (a natural cooler process), conditions felt more uncomfortable and hotter than what it really was. Fortunately, daily high air temperatures should gradually drop into the 80s…Read more about The Heat Is On[Read More]
For decades, many homeowners and gardeners bought lawn care products based strictly on brand-name recognition, expecting the formulation inside the bottle to remain identical over time. However, due to shifting corporate strategies, litigation risks, and regulatory pressures, several household pesticide giants have quietly overhauled their active ingredients. A recent prime example is Roundup. Historically synonymous…Read more about Beware of Active Ingredient Changes[Read More]
Espalier is a pruning and training technique that shapes a tree or shrub to grow in a flat, usually two-dimensional form, often against a wall, fence, or trellis. Rather than allowing branches to grow in every direction, espalier uses careful cutting and tying to guide stems into a planned pattern. The result can be both…Read more about Pruning Highlight; Espalier Pruning: Training Trees into Living Patterns[Read More]
Indiana has seen several rounds of severe weather, and many are likely ready for a break. The good news is there does not seem to be more severe weather in our forecast for at least a week. Heavy rain is anticipated for northern Indiana at the end of this coming weekend, but otherwise, periodic showers…Read more about Calmer weather on its way[Read More]
Bacterial blight is a disease of peony caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas. The disease begins as angular necrotic lesions with a red-purple border that can expand over time to blight or kill large areas of leaf tissue (Fig 1, Fig 2). If the bacterium spreads to the stems, it can lead to entire stem dieback…Read more about Bacterial Blight of Peony[Read More]
Many homeowners have evergreens in their home landscape. Evergreens provide a landscape service that other plants cannot – they add color to our landscapes in the winter, and provide some thermal protection for animals and birds. However, if you are researching potential evergreens for your landscape, you may be confused about species names and the…Read more about Identifying Evergreens[Read More]
Managing weeds in commercial and residential landscapes is a constant battle. Landscape professionals have historically relied heavily on a combination of mulching, manual pulling, and preemergence (PRE) herbicides to maintain clean planting beds. However, a recent, multi-state study published in Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment titled ‘Landscape weed control varies by preemergence herbicide, formulation, and geography’…Read more about Landscape Weed Management: How Geography and Formulation Impact Landscape Preemergence Herbicides[Read More]
The Purdue cut flower team is currently conducting cut flower demonstrations at three locations in Indiana. In this article, we provide updates and observations on cool-season flowers from the three sites, including open-field and high-tunnel plantings in Vincennes, an open-field site in Indianapolis, and an open-field site in West Lafayette, representing southern, central, and northern…Read more about Spring Planted Cool-Season Cut Flower Update — Snapdragon, Stock, Ornamental Cabbage[Read More]
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