What do others think?

seed – posted 26 August 2001 19:51

Are there any burning turf opinions that you would like to ask of the group?

The 3-question turf survey has generated minimal but somewhat predictable response (e.g., importance of weeds):https://turfgrass.com/vote/probpoll.html

I plan to add some more questions soon, and appreciate your ideas.

Thanks, Phil

tdkx – posted 25 September 2001 19:49

Hi Phil, I really like this website. I feel good about being able to give advice to people who aren’t quite sure what to do with their turf. Maybe I can’t always give the best advice to those people who live in the Southern US but I have a pretty decent handle on what’s going on in the North. I appreciate that you’ve left my opinions on your website for as long as you have. I’m curious as to how one becomes a “turfmaster”. Let me know and email me at

fo*********@ho*****.com











Thanks.

TDKX

seed – posted 26 September 2001 10:29

tdkx, thanks for your thoughtful responses to helping others.

“Turfmaster” designates those who are registered and have posted 31 times or more. First one must register as a “Friend,” which only requires a name or handle, and an e-mail address.

After registering you may edit your profile to prevent your email address from being viewable by other visitors, or to prevent receiving administrative e-mail (which is rare).

The only privilege of registration on turfgrass.com is the ability to edit your own posts, e.g., if you find a typo or want to add or remove some information.

After 31 posts, your registration is automatically upgraded to “Turfmaster.” This does not provide any additional privilege other than the name. It’s just a way of saying “Thanks for sharing your turfgrass ideas.”

Phil

Jauhiainen – posted 26 September 2001 13:30

Having just registered today, but posted many a times, I like this forum a lot. As a first time homeowner (turf owner), I find the information, responses, and suggestions on the forum extremely helpful. Although it doesn’t seem to get the mass posts/responses I’d like to see, it sure beats the spam and trash other forums seem to get. This is a great place to share turf management experiences and suggestions on resolving issues…even for those of us who are simply maintaining our residences.

Another thing that makes this board much more pleasant to read, is the fact that this board appears to be on par with technology using the UBB format as opposed to some of the others using ancient BB formats. Makes reading a lot easier.

Keep up the good work. Hopefully the word will spread and the number of members will increase exponentially.

[This message has been edited by Jauhiainen (edited 26 September 2001).]

Greenkeeper – posted 26 October 2001 20:40

quote:Originally posted by seed:Are there any burning turf opinions that you would like to ask of the group?

The 3-question turf survey has generated minimal but somewhat predictable response (e.g., importance of weeds):https://turfgrass.com/vote/probpoll.html

I plan to add some more questions soon, and appreciate your ideas.

Thanks, Phil

PhilVery much enjoy this site keep up the exellent job.Cant always offer advice being a Australian Greenkeeper.Am interested in the Diamondback Stadium were they used De Anza zoysia.How is that going?

LUIS CARLOS GALINDO – posted 23 July 2003 12:30

Hy body, my question is: Acctually I am living in Miami, but I travel to differents countries like Salvador, HOndura GUatemala and Costa RIca, given professional assistance about design, construction, maintenance and handle of equipment for mowing grass, aireator, a lot stuff, but I need to have my own license for fertilizer and spray chemicals on the plants, homes, you know, WHAT CAN I DO for obtein this license here in Florida, so, I have a degree in Agricultural like a Agronomist ( 6 years) and my English in not very well as I want it plus I got my company that dedicated to building and maintenance of sport field in this countries, I am permanent resident Any way thank you for this opportunity

seed – posted 24 July 2003 09:10

Luis, to apply pesticides on residential turf in Florida, as part of a business, you need the certification “Pest Control Operator (PCO) -Lawn and Ornamental” as described here:http://pested.ifas.ufl.edu/licencing.html

Your business must also have a Pest Control Business License. This is in addition to any Occupational License which you get through the County.

Let me focus on the PCO certificate which is for you, the individual applying the chemicals, and has more requirements than some other kinds of pesticide certifications.

The PCO certificate requires, among other things, a minimum of 3 years prior employment as a service employee of licensed pest control business, one year of which must be in Florida. That must be completed before you can even take the test.

If you meet certain educational requirements for the PCO certificate within the area you will practice, the 3 years experience is reduced to 1 year. I have been informed that changes during 2003 to State Statute 482 also require that that 1 year must still be in Florida, which closes a potential loophole.

Alternatively, a third way of meeting the experience requirement is by completing “1-year entomology program at a public university in this state which specializes in urban pest management and includes practical pest management experience.” [s. 482.132 2(b)] Only certain programs such as that of Dr. Phil Koehler at the University of Florida qualify for that provision.

The intention of requiring in-Florida experience (or specialized training in Florida) is to prevent fly-by-night operators from working in Florida and harming consumers and the environment. It also has the consequence of reducing the number of companies starting up in pest control business in Florida, including pest control operators who move here from another state or country. This does not seem to be a problem for those businesses already operating in pest control in Florida, who, incidentally, lobbied the Florida Legislature to get this legislation into place.

Other licenses are available for applying pesticides to turf, but not residential turf. The “Limited Lawn and Ornamental” license is only for government and persons doing or supervising pesticide application on their own business properties.

The “Ornamental and Turf” license under Chapter 487 of the Florida Pesticide Law is only for agricultural applicators who manage large public facilities such as golf courses, parks, and cemeteries.

There is more information on pesticide licensing and training at the Miami-Dade Extension Service:http://miami-dade.ifas.ufl.edu/programs/pesticidetraining.htmFor example, “Pesticide Applicator Certification: Which License Do I Need?”http://miami-dade.ifas.ufl.edu/programs/pesticidetraining/publications/licensetype.PDF

And here are some links through the state:http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/~aes-ent/pestcntrl/pcpage1.htmlThe 2002 version of the state statute:http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=Ch0482/ch0482.htmhttp://pested.ifas.ufl.edu/pio12.html

The following applies only to applicators through the Chapter 487 (agriculture):http://www.safepesticideuse.com/safety/applicatormain.htm

You closest chance you have to get started in the application of pesticides to lawns is to become an employee of a business already properly licensed to do so.

Homeowners do not require any license to apply appropriate pesticides to their properties, but anyone else does require a license.

Phil

seed – posted 24 July 2003 09:15

Clarification – in the last paragraph I meant to say “certification” instead of “license.”

Phil