By Frank S. Rossi, Ph.D.
After a brief stretch of warm weather in late April and early May, the region has slipped into a familiar spring stall. Turf remains green and acceptable, but growth has been minimal as soil temperatures track the same up-and-down pattern as the air. This has slowed everything—crabgrass germination is barely evident beyond isolated warm sites in the NYC metro area, and insect activity remains muted. Many early preemergence applications are holding, though the extended window raises reasonable questions about longevity and the value of a split or follow-up in high-pressure areas.
That said, this pause is about to break. As warmer air settles in with adequate moisture, expect a surge of top growth from cool-season grasses. This is a prime window to drive recovery in thin or damaged areas—targeted applications of nitrogen combined with seeding can rapidly re-establish density, while also suppressing crabgrass and other opportunistic weeds through competition. The key is timing that work just ahead of, or at the front edge of, this growth flush.
On golf greens, many superintendents have noted very little active growth to date. That’s not surprising given the combination of cool temperatures, early-season plant growth regulator use, and fungicides with growth-regulating effects (particularly DMI materials used for soilborne pathogens), along with preemergence herbicides that can subtly suppress growth. As temperatures normalize, expect a reset—growth will resume, and management programs should be ready to shift accordingly.
For sports fields, the next few weeks represent an opportunity that’s often missed. Where schedules allow, even a short rest period can pay dividends, allowing the anticipated growth surge to restore turf cover toward full density—critical for both safety and performance. In reality, field use rarely aligns with ideal recovery windows, so the charge is simple: maximize recovery when you can, knowing the next heavy-use period may be just 4–6 weeks away.
From a pest management standpoint, we’re approaching key indicators. Larvicide applications for annual bluegrass weevil are imminent as rhododendrons begin to flower. Preventive grub control applications are also being made, and the industry continues to lean heavily on combination products—preemergence herbicide plus Acelepryn plus nitrogen—marketed as efficient, “spread it and forget it” solutions. They work, but it’s worth pushing the conversation forward. Identifying and treating high-risk areas, rather than blanket applications across entire properties, is a more precise and ultimately more sustainable approach.
Finally, as we move through “No Mow May” (or as we prefer, Don’t Mow ’til May), it’s a good moment to reflect on the ecosystem services lawns can provide—pollinator habitat, reduced emissions, and lower input demands. Reduced mowing has value, but it’s not the ceiling. Fully automated mowing systems—robotic units that maintain consistent height with minimal energy and labor—offer a pathway to reduce a host of ecosystem disservices, from emissions to noise to compaction. That’s where this conversation is heading.
The season hasn’t quite arrived—but when it does, it will come fast. Be ready to take advantage.