This season kicks off with a macro discussion about the experience of people who use turfgrass, and how it’s about more the quality of the grass. Those same people are itching to get out and play on golf courses and athletic fields, but without much active growth, should we let them? The turf guys debate allowing early season play considering the potential revenue, demand, and maintenance costs. They also discuss the role of synthetic turf in these shoulder seasons, highlighting their particular importance in urban areas where field demand is high.

Check out our turf Growth Potential Tool and Runoff Risk forecast to guide Spring maintenance.

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

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Penn State's Ben McGraw joins the show to answer some tough questions about noenicitinoids. We also discuss challenges with alternative grub controls, get an update on annual bluegrass weevil (ABW) control strategies, the latest on earthworms and more. Here comes the fastest 30 minutes(ish) in turf!

The turf guys chat about the decline of snow mold pressure in NY, recent research on fungicide resistance, and pre-emergent strategies to account for the uncertainty in early season weather.

The turf guys chat with Art DeGaetano, professor in Cornell's Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and director of the federally-supported Northeast Regional Climate Center, about the temperature, precipitation, and cloud cover trends we saw across the U.S. this winter. They also discuss the 2023 season retrospective and ask “how much was needed?” with respect to mowing, fertilizer, pesticides, and water.

The Turf guys chat about the current dry weather and climate trends that will drive precipitation patterns moving forward. Matteo Serena, USGA, joins the show to discuss irrigation conservation strategies like drought emergency plans, using new turfgrass varieties, and emerging technologies like sub-surface drip irrigation.

John Sorochan, University of Tennessee, talks FIFA field management considerations with the turf guys. Different climates and grasses across North America will require site-specific management to maintain consistent playing conditions across venues for the 2026 World Cup.

Bill Kreuser of Greenkeeper joins the show to talk about his research on plant growth regulators and use of remote sensing technologies to optimize resource use.

Dr. Ben McGraw, Penn State, joins the turf guys to discuss his ABW scouting and research this Spring, and also discusses the difficulties in reducing earthworm castings.

Matt Elmore, Rutgers University, joins the show to discuss crabgrass emergence and non-chemical controls of crabgrass. Frank Rossi also takes a hard look at the idea of No Mow May and outlines alternatives that can still service pollinators without sacrificing the quality of the lawn.

The Turf guys explore the concept of benchmarking and how golf course superintendents can use key metrics to compare their operation to a standard. They put a focus on standard measurements for mower set-up and how this can drastically affect cut quality and plant stress.

Evan Mascitti, Penn State University, joins the turf guys to talk about his research on infield clay mixes. Evan outlines how different clay types respond differently to moisture, and best practices for early season infield maintenance.

Rich Buckley, Director of the Rutgers Diagnostic Lab, chats with the turf guys about ideal control strategies for root pathogens including timing of product application and the “war of attrition” when it comes to roots.

Rich Buckley, Director of Rutgers University's Plant Diagnostic Lab and Nematode Detection Service, joins the turf guys to chat about the mentality of pesticide use in turf, root disease control, new pathogens and risk aversion. Here comes the fastest 30 minutes(ish) in turf!

Dr. Michael Fidanza, Penn State Berks, joins the turf guys to discuss his new textbook “Achieving sustainable turfgrass management” which summarizes the latest science of sustainability in turfgrass. The show also discusses one of his favorite topics, fairy ring.

Shawn Kister, Associate Vice President of Horticulture Operations for Longwood Gardens, joins the show to talk about the sustainability initiatives at Longwood including recycling water for the landscape, meadow areas and electrification.

Dr. Aaron Patton, Purdue University, joins the show to discuss weed control in athletic fields. The turf guys discuss the priority of seeding before developing a weed control strategy, site specific management on athletic fields, and how rolling might have some weed control benefits.

The turf guys unveil their newest resource for golf course BMPs. Shawn Askew joins the show to discuss his research on reducing poa populations on putting surfaces, seedhead suppression, and some novel weed control strategies like drones, parabolic mirrors, and cryogenics.

The turf guys walk through the history of research on Poa annua seedhead suppression to look at ideal control and effects on plant health. They also take aim at unnecessary bunkers and discuss minimum levels of acceptable maintenance.

Dr. Cale Bigelow, Purdue University, joins to chat about his research introducing microclover into lawns and utility of tall fescue on compromised soils. The turf guys discuss the concept of ecosystem services and how lawns can provide value

The turf guys rant about the burden of maintenance that is commonly overlooked during the design and construction phase of sports fields. Ben Polimer, Field and Grounds Coordinator for the Town of Weston, Mass., joins in to discuss the brand new NESTMA BMP document and best practices to get fields ready for play in the spring.

Arthur DeGaetano, Northeast Regional Climate Center, answers pressing questions like “When is a growing degree day REALLY a growing degree day?” plus news and updates with the turf guys Frank Rossi and Carl Schementi (who also provides an update on the latest golf balls).

Chase Straw, Texas A&M, discusses his work on athlete's exertion (does it vary on natural vs. synthetic?) and stakeholder engagement at community level sports fields, plus news and updates with the turf guys Frank Rossi and Carl Schementi.

Penn State entomologist Ben McGraw discusses annual bluegrass weevil (ABW) movement and control options and earthworm castings, plus news and updates with the turf guys Frank Rossi and Carl Schementi.

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!

Matthew Elmore, Rutgers University, discusses the effects of climate change on weeds, non-chemical control of crabgrass, and spot treatment weed management, plus news and updates with the turf guys Frank Rossi and Carl Schementi.

John Sorochan, University of Tennessee, talks sports field safety testing, infill depths and effects of footwear on non-contact injuries, plus news and updates with the turf guys Frank Rossi and Carl Schementi.

Dr. Bill Kreuser, president of the Greenkeeper App and Superintendent of Jim Ager Golf Course, discusses early-season growth rates and products (other than plant growth regulators) that can affect turf recovery, plus news and updates with the turf guys Frank Rossi and Carl Schementi.

Cale Bigelow, Purdue University, on spring green-up of different turfgrass varieties and the increasing momentum of lawn alternatives, plus news and updates with the turf guys Frank Rossi and Carl Schementi.

Retired golf course superintendent, Rick Slattery, discusses his approach to spring management of creeping bentgrass surfaces, plus news and updates with the turf guys Frank Rossi and Carl Schementi.

Roch Gaussoin, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, on when cultivation practices are warranted and which approaches work best to solve specific problems, plus news and updates with the turf guys Frank Rossi and Carl Schementi.

Mike Fidanza, Penn State University, on Fairy Ring types, history, and management, plus news and updates with the turf guys Frank Rossi and Carl Schementi.

Doug Soldat, University of Wisconsin-Madison, discusses practical steps to improve soil physical properties and water quality impairment, plus news and updates with the turf guys Frank Rossi and Carl Schementi.

USGA Northeast agronomist John Daniels on data-driven turf managment practices and tools in development to help quantify playing conditions, plus news and updates with the turf guys Frank Rossi and Carl Schementi.

Ben Polimer, Field and Grounds Coordinator, Town of Weston, Mass., on early-season turf hacks including strategic traffic dispersal to maximize use of safe athletic field surfaces, plus news and updates with the turf guys Frank Rossi and Carl Schementi.

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!

Olga Kostromytska, University of Massachusetts Amherst, discusses spring strategies for annual bluegrass weevil control, plus news and updates with the turf guys Frank Rossi and Carl Schementi.

Karl Guillard, University of Connecticut, discusses his work on soil testing to guide Nitrogen fertilizer applications, plus news and updates with the turf guys Frank Rossi and Carl Schementi.

With the weather hand we’ve been dealt, what should your golfers expect in the Spring? A Master’s preview and how the TV spectacle affects play at your course, plus news and updates with the turf guys Frank Rossi and Carl Schementi.

We chat early-season infield skin care with Evan Mascitti, Penn State University, plus news and updates with the turf guys Frank Rossi and Carl Schementi.

Widespread winter injury in the Northeast has us asking the question: what next? Dr. Kevin Frank of Michigan State University joins us to discuss recovery options and reasonable timelines considering the upcoming stretch of weather. Plus news and updates with the turf guys Frank Rossi and Carl Schementi.

The turf guys Frank and Carl chat about making key observations early in the season that will set you up for success later in the year, plus turf news and updates.

Frank Rossi, Cornell University, explains winter damage, how it happens, and what you can do about it, plus turf news and updates from Frank and Carl Schimenti.

Chase Straw, Texas A and M University, joins us to discuss field firmness variability and athlete performance, plus turf news and updates from Frank Rossi and Carl Schimenti.

Roch Gaussoin, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, joins us to discuss spring aeration, plus turf news and updates from Frank Rossi and Carl Schimenti.

Grady Miller, North Carolina State University, joins us to discuss rotary mower performance, plus turf news and updates from Frank Rossi and Carl Schimenti.

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!

Ben McGraw, Penn State University, discusses annual bluegrass weevil emergence patterns, resistance and control options, plus turf news and updates from Frank Rossi and Carl Schimenti.

Andy Mcnitt from Penn State University joins us to talk about priorities for high school level field management and synthetic turf considerations, plus turf news and updates from Frank Rossi and Carl Schimenti.

Is Poa annua really an annual? Jim Brosnan from the University of Tennessee joins to discuss this question, and the implications for Poa management, plus turf news and updates from Frank Rossi and Carl Schimenti.

Olga Kostromytska, University of Massachusetts discusses ABW movement and management, Joe Lucas, Saratoga National Golf Club, highlights the Rounds for Research initiative that drives funding of practical golf turf research, plus turf news and updates from Frank Rossi and Carl Schimenti.