Cornell Clippings Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

How much ice can a pound of salt really melt? In this episode, Frank Rossi and Dan Schied, director of Cornell University Grounds Department, break down the "pounds of ice melted per pound of salt" chart and explain how temperature dramatically changes performance. Sodium chloride loses nearly two-thirds of its effectiveness at 5°F and fluctuates sharply around the freezing point. Find the chart on our website!

Stay Informed with Cornell Turfgrass: For more insights, research-backed strategies, and the latest turf management updates, visit turf.cals.cornell.edu.

Stay connected and join the conversation—follow Cornell Turfgrass on YouTube, Facebook, and X for expert advice, live discussions, and educational content throughout the growing season.

Salt may be just another input for grounds crews — but it's often one of the biggest winter expenses. In this episode, we explore how snow and deicing materials impact turf along sidewalks and managed landscapes.

We break down soil compaction, salt injury, rising soil electrical conductivity (EC), and what it means for spring recovery. The team also discusses treated salts, including molasses and magnesium chloride blends, that reduce bounce, work at lower temperatures, and can cut sodium chloride use by up to 30%, potentially saving turf and budget alike.

Stay Informed with Cornell Turfgrass: For more insights, research-backed strategies, and the latest turf management updates, visit turf.cals.cornell.edu.

Stay connected and join the conversation—follow Cornell Turfgrass on YouTube, Facebook, and X for expert advice, live discussions, and educational content throughout the growing season.

As climate change increases drought, rainfall and unpredictability, managing water use wisely has never been more important. In this episode, we introduce practical tools and strategies to adapt irrigation and infrastructure for water resilience. From irrigation audits and water budgeting to drought planning and understanding evapotranspiration (ET), we dive into how producers and land managers can prepare for water variability. 

Stay Informed with Cornell Turfgrass: For more insights, research-backed strategies, and the latest turf management updates, visit turf.cals.cornell.edu.

Stay connected and join the conversation—follow Cornell Turfgrass on YouTube, Facebook, and X for expert advice, live discussions, and educational content throughout the growing season.

How does the type of grass you grow impact how often you mow and what happens when you cut it too short? In this episode, we break down the science behind turf management, including how mowing height affects clipping production, why grass type influences mowing frequency, and how following the 1/3 Rule can lead to healthier lawns. Learn how maintaining a slower growth rate can reduce mowing needs and minimize clippings, all while keeping your turf in top condition.

Stay Informed with Cornell Turfgrass: For more insights, research-backed strategies, and the latest turf management updates, visit turf.cals.cornell.edu.

Stay connected and join the conversation—follow Cornell Turfgrass on YouTube, Facebook, and X for expert advice, live discussions, and educational content throughout the growing season.

What do we gain—and what do we risk—when we change how we mow? In this episode, we explore the ecosystem services of traditional lawns, bee lawns, and urban meadows, with a special focus on the growing "No Mow May" movement.

Drawing on research from the University of Guelph and others, we dig into the ecological tradeoffs of reduced mowing. While skipping the cut may support pollinators and promote deeper root systems, it can also lead to weakened turf, tougher weed control, and even unexpected consequences—like increased snake habitats.

Stay Informed with Cornell Turfgrass: For more insights, research-backed strategies, and the latest turf management updates, visit turf.cals.cornell.edu.

Stay connected and join the conversation—follow Cornell Turfgrass on YouTube, Facebook, and X for expert advice, live discussions, and educational content throughout the growing season.

What makes a great playing field—and who gets to decide? In this episode, we dive into the often-overlooked world of sports field management with Dr. Chase Straw, Assistant Professor of Soil and Crop Sciences at Texas A&M. We explore the unequal access to youth sports facilities, the health benefits of participation, and how data and mapping tools can drive more equitable investment. From the environmental tradeoffs of synthetic turf to the pivotal role field managers can play in facility planning, this conversation unpacks how interdisciplinary research and better decision-making can create greener, fairer play for everyone.

Stay Informed with Cornell Turfgrass: For more insights, research-backed strategies, and the latest turf management updates, visit turf.cals.cornell.edu.

Stay connected and join the conversation—follow Cornell Turfgrass on YouTube, Facebook, and X for expert advice, live discussions, and educational content throughout the growing season.

Bermuda grass is creeping north. Nebraska Extension Turfgrass Specialist Roch Gaussoin joins the podcast to share an update on Bermuda research becoming a viable solution across the Midwest. He explains how to maintain turf in shifting climates, compares seed costs, and discusses why Bermuda is often preferred over Zoysia for its superior recovery and growth potential.

Stay Informed with Cornell Turfgrass: For more insights, research-backed strategies, and the latest turf management updates, visit turf.cals.cornell.edu.

Stay connected and join the conversation—follow Cornell Turfgrass on YouTube, Facebook, and X for expert advice, live discussions, and educational content throughout the growing season.

While distance and lightning-fast greens might sound ideal, most golfers prioritize smooth surfaces, even lies, and good company. In this episode, we unpack new research from Myers College and the University of Copenhagen that explores how age, skill level, and geography shape what players value most—and what it means for course design and management.

Stay Informed with Cornell Turfgrass: For more insights, research-backed strategies, and the latest turf management updates, visit turf.cals.cornell.edu.

Stay connected and join the conversation—follow Cornell Turfgrass on YouTube, Facebook, and X for expert advice, live discussions, and educational content throughout the growing season.

It's Masters week, and this episode breaks down the mystery behind Augusta National's putting green speeds and agronomy, comparing official mowing heights with real-world performance. We explore the specialized mowers used for flawless transitions and dive into USGA data on how mowing direction influences ball rollout.

Stay Informed with Cornell Turfgrass: For more insights, research-backed strategies, and the latest turf management updates, visit turf.cals.cornell.edu.

Stay connected and join the conversation—follow Cornell Turfgrass on YouTube, Facebook, and X for expert advice, live discussions, and educational content throughout the growing season.

Did you know turf grass covers 20% of New Jersey? Discover why turf plays such a significant role in the Northeast's landscape and environmental management strategies.

Stay Informed with Cornell Turfgrass: For more insights, research-backed strategies, and the latest turf management updates, visit turf.cals.cornell.edu.

Stay connected and join the conversation—follow Cornell Turfgrass on YouTube, Facebook, and X for expert advice, live discussions, and educational content throughout the growing season.