Growing and maintaining turf during a sweltering West Texas summer will be in the spotlight July 7-8 when the Texas Tech University Department of Plant and Soil Science hosts a program for professionals and homeowners that will show them the best methods to maintaining healthy lawns and landscapes.
On Friday (July 7), a Professional Turfgrass Management Field Day will be held at the Texas Tech Quaker Research Farm. Registration for the half-day program at the corner of Second Street and Quaker Avenue will begin at 7:30 a.m., and the program will begin about an hour later. The program is free and a lunch will be provided for participants.
“We will be providing information to improve the sustainability of managing turfgrass for use on golf courses, athletic fields and commercial landscapes,” said Joey Young, an assistant professor with the Department of Plant and Soil Science in the College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources.
The turfgrass field day typically draws green industry professionals such as landscapers, athletic field managers and golf course superintendents, Young said.
Among the topics scheduled for review are:
– Bermuda grass varieties for athletic fields
– Deficit irrigation: surfactants vs. fertilizers
– Low-input turf species
– Sod establishment with less water
– Water quality and salinity issues
On Saturday (July 8), a Turf, Landscape and Pollinator Research Open House will be held for non-professionals. Registration for the free, half-day, come-and-go event runs from 8 a.m. to noon at the Quaker Research Farm.
“The focus of this homeowner field day will be the general public who would like to gain a better understanding of how to properly manage their landscape to provide aesthetics with less water,” Young said.
Among the topics and demonstrations scheduled for review are:
– Landscape irrigation technology
– Native landscape plants and wildflowers
– Pollinator habitat demonstrations
– Residential wetting agents vs. organic fertilizers
– Turfgrass species and water use
– Vegetable production trials
Both events have been developed and provided by the Department of Plant and Soil Science and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
CONTACT:
Joey Young, assistant professor, Department of Plant and Soil Science, College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, Texas Tech University, (806) 834-8457 or joey.young@ttu.edu
(News release from Texas Tech University)
