Forsythia Watch

Kentucky bluegrass, Fescue, Rye and Bent, etc
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bernstem
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Forsythia Watch

Post by bernstem » February 22nd, 2017, 2:05 pm

Forsythia is starting to bloom here in St. Louis. I expect that it is ,or soon will be, time for spring pre-emergent in much of the transition zone. Of all the application that help prevent weeds during the year, the spring pre-emergent may be the most important. About the only reasons not to do one are if you are on a non-chemical program or planning to seed in the spring (which you really shouldn't be doing unless it is absolutely necessary).

Owlnsr
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Re: Forsythia Watch

Post by Owlnsr » February 22nd, 2017, 2:15 pm

It was blooming outside Richmond VA on Sunday. Couldn't believe it.

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chrismar
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Re: Forsythia Watch

Post by chrismar » February 22nd, 2017, 2:39 pm

Nothing in NJ (yet). GDD Tracker is tracking about 2-3 days ahead of last year, and 21 days (!) ahead of 2015.

Last year I put down my pre-M on 3/13, so if things continue on this path I should be putting it down around the same time as last year.

RockinMyLawn
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Re: Forsythia Watch

Post by RockinMyLawn » February 22nd, 2017, 5:31 pm

Owlnsr wrote:
February 22nd, 2017, 2:15 pm
It was blooming outside Richmond VA on Sunday. Couldn't believe it.
Hey I'm in Midlo.
Where did you see this??!!

Maizan24
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Re: Forsythia Watch

Post by Maizan24 » February 22nd, 2017, 6:39 pm

I live in ct. Anyone from that section of the NE have luck using gdd tracker? Just curious how accurate it is based on the warning at the top of the site. Was looking to use it this year for pre m timing.


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chrismar
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Re: Forsythia Watch

Post by chrismar » February 22nd, 2017, 7:11 pm

Maizan24 wrote:
February 22nd, 2017, 6:39 pm
I live in ct. Anyone from that section of the NE have luck using gdd tracker? Just curious how accurate it is based on the warning at the top of the site. Was looking to use it this year for pre m timing.
I used it last year and found it pretty accurate. In other words, the forsythia was blooming during the "optimal" time.

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Zareth
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Re: Forsythia Watch

Post by Zareth » February 22nd, 2017, 10:23 pm

I have one in my backyard and it has bloomed already here in Murfreesboro TN

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HoosierLawnGnome
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Re: Forsythia Watch

Post by HoosierLawnGnome » February 23rd, 2017, 11:53 am

The GDD Tracker is fine as a warning system, in my opinion - but the best thing to do is learn to watch for signs in your own area (like the forsythia blooming)

The GDD Tracker wasn't even functional until a week ago. I think the data is shows is lagging for my area too.

RockinMyLawn
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Re: Forsythia Watch

Post by RockinMyLawn » February 23rd, 2017, 11:55 am

chrismar wrote:
February 22nd, 2017, 7:11 pm
Maizan24 wrote:
February 22nd, 2017, 6:39 pm
I live in ct. Anyone from that section of the NE have luck using gdd tracker? Just curious how accurate it is based on the warning at the top of the site. Was looking to use it this year for pre m timing.
I used it last year and found it pretty accurate. In other words, the forsythia was blooming during the "optimal" time.
That would be Early April for 2016 in your area & early March this year?

Trying to see how the GDD gauge works.
Last edited by RockinMyLawn on February 23rd, 2017, 2:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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chrismar
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Re: Forsythia Watch

Post by chrismar » February 23rd, 2017, 12:08 pm

RockinMyLawn wrote:
February 23rd, 2017, 11:55 am
chrismar wrote:
February 22nd, 2017, 7:11 pm
I used it last year and found it pretty accurate. In other words, the forsythia was blooming during the "optimal" time.
That would be Early April for 201 in your area & early March this year?

Trying to see how the GDD gauge works.
For Crabgrass-PRE, the optimum range begins at 250 (at least for my zip). Based on the GDD historical data, my own personal data, and if the weather continues the way it is, I'm anticipating hitting optimal (and seeing the forsythia in bloom) and potentially applying my pre-M around 3/10 this year.

RockinMyLawn
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Re: Forsythia Watch

Post by RockinMyLawn » February 23rd, 2017, 2:08 pm

chrismar wrote:
February 23rd, 2017, 12:08 pm
RockinMyLawn wrote:
February 23rd, 2017, 11:55 am
chrismar wrote:
February 22nd, 2017, 7:11 pm
I used it last year and found it pretty accurate. In other words, the forsythia was blooming during the "optimal" time.
That would be Early April for 201 in your area & early March this year?

Trying to see how the GDD gauge works.
For Crabgrass-PRE, the optimum range begins at 250 (at least for my zip). Based on the GDD historical data, my own personal data, and if the weather continues the way it is, I'm anticipating hitting optimal (and seeing the forsythia in bloom) and potentially applying my pre-M around 3/10 this year.

Cool. I interpreted the GDD tool correctly then using your example.
Thanks & good luck.

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Re: Forsythia Watch

Post by Pway » February 23rd, 2017, 3:35 pm

chrismar wrote:
February 23rd, 2017, 12:08 pm
RockinMyLawn wrote:
February 23rd, 2017, 11:55 am
chrismar wrote:
February 22nd, 2017, 7:11 pm
I used it last year and found it pretty accurate. In other words, the forsythia was blooming during the "optimal" time.
That would be Early April for 201 in your area & early March this year?

Trying to see how the GDD gauge works.
For Crabgrass-PRE, the optimum range begins at 250 (at least for my zip). Based on the GDD historical data, my own personal data, and if the weather continues the way it is, I'm anticipating hitting optimal (and seeing the forsythia in bloom) and potentially applying my pre-M around 3/10 this year.

Chrismar, I'm not too far from you and did PM last year on 3/10. Forsythia were in bloom here last year at that time. I am going to attempt some spring spot seeding, which I know isn't recommended, due to some fungus late last summer. I'll try to avoid the spots to be seeded but realize there is some risk in that. I think we are a bit warmer this year than last year.

Owlnsr
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Re: Forsythia Watch

Post by Owlnsr » February 24th, 2017, 7:55 pm

RockinMyLawn wrote:
February 22nd, 2017, 5:31 pm
Owlnsr wrote:
February 22nd, 2017, 2:15 pm
It was blooming outside Richmond VA on Sunday. Couldn't believe it.
Hey I'm in Midlo.
Where did you see this??!!
Winterpock area.

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ericgautier
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Re: Forsythia Watch

Post by ericgautier » March 6th, 2017, 10:28 am

Seeing some buds on forsythia plants around me (08816).

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bauer time
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Re: Forsythia Watch

Post by bauer time » March 6th, 2017, 2:58 pm

Forsythia bush around the corner from me (08619) that I use as a gauge was yellow yesterday when I drove by. I will be putting down Prodiamine this afternoon before the rain tomorrow.

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ericgautier
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Re: Forsythia Watch

Post by ericgautier » March 6th, 2017, 3:03 pm

^ wish I can say the same. It would be nice to put it down today w/ rain coming. For me, plan is Thursday.. then some snow is coming. LOL.

Green
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Re: Forsythia Watch

Post by Green » March 6th, 2017, 5:56 pm

Maizan24 wrote:
February 22nd, 2017, 6:39 pm
I live in ct. Anyone from that section of the NE have luck using gdd tracker? Just curious how accurate it is based on the warning at the top of the site. Was looking to use it this year for pre m timing.
Yes. I find it has agreed with the Forsythia, roughly, the couple of years I've followed it.

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bauer time
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Re: Forsythia Watch

Post by bauer time » March 6th, 2017, 7:44 pm

ericgautier wrote:
March 6th, 2017, 3:03 pm
^ wish I can say the same. It would be nice to put it down today w/ rain coming. For me, plan is Thursday.. then some snow is coming. LOL.
Yeah I won't have time later this week/this weekend to apply so I figured I would get it down today before rain. GDDTracker says it's time but I would be more encouraged if ALL the bushes were yellow. Oh well.

NJDan
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Re: Forsythia Watch

Post by NJDan » March 6th, 2017, 8:07 pm

Guys, I'd like to ask a question again that I posed in another thread. If GDD tracker recommends premerg when soil temps are 50 to 55 degrees, why not get a simple temperature probe and measure the temp directly, instead, or combined with, keeping an eye on the forsythia? It seems like forsythia is a proxy for soil temp, but the soil temp is really what we need to know, isn't it? I have one at work and am curious to bring it home tomorrow and see what soil temps are.

Dan

Sicride
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Re: Forsythia Watch

Post by Sicride » March 6th, 2017, 8:34 pm

I think of it as the reality that there are more variables than just soil temp, all those variables lead to forsythia blooming and Mother Nature knows best.

Just reading soil temps is like only looking at the ear of a girls photo and trying to tell if she's hot or not.
Last edited by Sicride on March 8th, 2017, 8:38 am, edited 1 time in total.

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