The weather is always a topic of discussion in our business, and with all the cold temperatures and rainy weather lately, we have had some pretty uncomfortable Turf Advisory Service visits. In fact, it seems we have been in our rain suits just about every day for several weeks. Fortunately, most of the turf has been performing well, and the only disease we have seen consistently in recent weeks has been cool-season brown patch ( Rhizoctonia cerealis ). For the most part, it has not been tremendously damaging, and if temperatures warm up and the rain quits, no treatment will be needed in most cases. However, some courses have had the disease with enough severity that treatment was most definitely required.

Oservations earlier this morning clearly indicate that this season is well under way. We saw our first bit of Hyperodes weevil damage at a golf course in south central New Jersey earlier today along with our first dollar spot. Neither the dollar spot nor the weevil damage was very extensive, but it is a reminder that the season is upon us.