Cornell Turfgrass Turf Show Podcast Frank Rossi

In this whirlwind episode, the turf guys manage to cover: TMDLs, BMPs, models being wrong (but useful), ecosystem services, disease risk, athletic field safety, governance and stewardship dynamics of athletic fields and more. Hold on tight! Here comes the fastest 30 minutes(ish) in turf!

The turf guys rant about soil testing and look at the oldest grass study in the world – the Rothamsted Park Grass experiment. They also discuss the one nutrient that really matters –- nitrogen –- and defensible nitrogen rates in the Northeast for turfgrass, strategies to manage nitrogen appropriately and more on the fastest 30 minutes(ish) in turf!

The turf guys question the need to “challenge” golfers and offer ways superintendents can try to shift golfer focus to think about their experience in nature. They also chat about the building momentum of the growing season including root diseases, annual bluegrass weevil, and more on the fastest 30 minutes(ish) in turf!

Dr. Sara Stricker, Guelph University Turfgrass Institute, discusses ALL the nuances of ‘No Mow May’. Is it really better for pollinators compared to a traditional lawn? Are their risks involved with allowing your lawn grow, unabated, for the month of May? Are there better alternatives for your landscape to promote pollinator habitat? This, and more, on the fastest 30 minutes(ish) in turf!

Dr. Chase Straw, Texas A&M, joins the turf guys to talk about an ambitious project that seeks to understand all aspects of community sports fields and provide foundational data to decision-makers in the future. The turf guys also rant about proper footwear selection for athletes.

Purdue University professor Cale Bigelow joins the show to share his observations on the evolution of tall fescues, interseeding fescue into existing stands, brown patch resistance, and some potential new uses for fescue as a sports surface. The turf guys also chat about the challenges of dealing with early season traffic.