Forsythia Watch
- bernstem
- Posts: 4232
- Joined: April 15th, 2011, 2:59 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
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Forsythia Watch
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).
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- Location: Central VA
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Re: Forsythia Watch
It was blooming outside Richmond VA on Sunday. Couldn't believe it.
- chrismar
- Posts: 470
- Joined: April 8th, 2015, 12:32 pm
- Location: Bridgewater, NJ
- Grass Type: Front: KBG / Back: TTTF
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Re: Forsythia Watch
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.
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.
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- Posts: 234
- Joined: August 16th, 2016, 4:25 pm
- Location: Central CT
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Re: Forsythia Watch
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.
- chrismar
- Posts: 470
- Joined: April 8th, 2015, 12:32 pm
- Location: Bridgewater, NJ
- Grass Type: Front: KBG / Back: TTTF
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Re: Forsythia Watch
I used it last year and found it pretty accurate. In other words, the forsythia was blooming during the "optimal" time.
- Zareth
- Posts: 568
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- Location: Murfreesboro, TN
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Re: Forsythia Watch
I have one in my backyard and it has bloomed already here in Murfreesboro TN
- HoosierLawnGnome
- Posts: 9591
- Joined: May 22nd, 2013, 5:59 pm
- Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
- Grass Type: Blueberry KBG
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Re: Forsythia Watch
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.
The GDD Tracker wasn't even functional until a week ago. I think the data is shows is lagging for my area too.
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- Posts: 410
- Joined: May 20th, 2015, 2:15 pm
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Re: Forsythia Watch
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.
- chrismar
- Posts: 470
- Joined: April 8th, 2015, 12:32 pm
- Location: Bridgewater, NJ
- Grass Type: Front: KBG / Back: TTTF
- Lawn Size: 1 acre-2 acre
- Level: Experienced
Re: Forsythia Watch
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 wrote: ↑February 23rd, 2017, 11:55 amThat would be Early April for 201 in your area & early March this year?
Trying to see how the GDD gauge works.
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- Posts: 410
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Re: Forsythia Watch
chrismar wrote: ↑February 23rd, 2017, 12:08 pmFor 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 wrote: ↑February 23rd, 2017, 11:55 amThat would be Early April for 201 in your area & early March this year?
Trying to see how the GDD gauge works.
Cool. I interpreted the GDD tool correctly then using your example.
Thanks & good luck.
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Re: Forsythia Watch
chrismar wrote: ↑February 23rd, 2017, 12:08 pmFor 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 wrote: ↑February 23rd, 2017, 11:55 amThat would be Early April for 201 in your area & early March this year?
Trying to see how the GDD gauge works.
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.
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- Posts: 119
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Re: Forsythia Watch
Winterpock area.
- ericgautier
- Posts: 2075
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Re: Forsythia Watch
Seeing some buds on forsythia plants around me (08816).
- bauer time
- Posts: 541
- Joined: November 9th, 2015, 3:13 pm
- Location: Central New Jersey
- Grass Type: TTTF/KBG mix
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Re: Forsythia Watch
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.
- ericgautier
- Posts: 2075
- Joined: August 27th, 2013, 1:27 pm
- Location: Middlesex County, NJ
- Grass Type: Front/Sides: Blueberry Monostand Back: TTTF+KBG
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Re: Forsythia Watch
^ 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.
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Re: Forsythia Watch
Yes. I find it has agreed with the Forsythia, roughly, the couple of years I've followed it.
- bauer time
- Posts: 541
- Joined: November 9th, 2015, 3:13 pm
- Location: Central New Jersey
- Grass Type: TTTF/KBG mix
- Lawn Size: 5000-10000
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Re: Forsythia Watch
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.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.
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Re: Forsythia Watch
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
Dan
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Re: Forsythia Watch
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.
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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