July 2, 2015
Contacts:
Ryan Adams
Nick Christians
Professor in Horticulture
Professor in Horticulture
Turfgrass Research is Highlight of July 23 Field Day near
Ames
Homeowners and professionals will find turf tips on sod
and pest management
AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State University Horticulture Research
Station is host for the annual Iowa Turfgrass Field Day, July 23, 2015, from 8:45
a.m. to 1 p.m. This year’s program includes demonstration projects for those
interested in lawn and turfgrass research presented by Iowa State University
experts and ISU Extension and Outreach specialists. The annual
event offered to golf course maintenance crews, athletic field managers, lawn
care companies and homeowners present the opportunity for earning continuing
instructional credit for their commercial pesticide applicator license.
“The field day will highlight athletic
field and golf course turf, sod production, general lawn care and
several other areas of turfgrass management,” said Dan
Strey, research associate in horticulture with Iowa State University and
turfgrass manager at the Horticulture Research Station north of Ames.
Strey noted, “We’re offering
educational sessions for golf course, sports turf and lawn care professionals.
Even homeowners and master gardeners can benefit from Iowa State’s lawn care research.”
Learning opportunities for homeowners will feature use of Midwest grass species,
different mowing heights, weed control, fertilization, thatch and aerification
techniques and grass seeding options.
“Kentucky bluegrass is the most common grass species used
for Iowa lawns,” according to Ryan Adams, lecturer and Extension turfgrass
specialist with Iowa State University. “The best time of the year to sow grass
seed is mid-August and September. Iowans have become accustomed to using the
same treatments for every lawn even though they may have different grass
species and maintenance requirements,” Adams said.
Specific topics for the master gardener and homeowner
program include fertilizing with organics, pollinators, ash tree replacements,
mowing maintenance, grass alternatives, rain barrel irrigation, pest management
and tour of a home demonstration garden.
ISU scientists and Extension specialists from horticulture,
agronomy, plant pathology and entomology as well as visiting certified sports
field managers will offer expert advice for turf, lawn and landscape
professionals. Research information presented will include herbicide and
rhizomatous tall fescue studies. There will also be a chance to view a variety of
trials on creeping bentgrass, buffalograss, tall fescue, perennial ryegrass and
Kentucky bluegrass.
Presentation topics for turf professionals include, information
on the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program and working with administrators, research
results on ornamental grasses and rhizomatous tall fescues, treatment options
using Group 27 herbicides, T-1 green management, fertilizers, phosphites,
Integrated pest management, mitigating localized dry spot and diseases, maximizing
granular and foliar applications. There will also be examples of sports field construction,
golf course mound building, level lift and irrigation tips and options for ash tree
replacements. Field day demonstrations will highlight fraise mowing and painting
athletic fields. See the program
schedule for sessions and presenters.
Pesticide Applicator Training sessions start at 10 a.m. and include,
Drift Reduction/Calibration/Safe Application, Phytotoxicity, Weed Walk and Right-of-Way.
Continuing instructional credits are being offered to certified pesticide
applicators for recertification of commercial or private licenses in categories 3O (Ornamental Pest), 3T (Turf Pest), 3OT
(Ornamental and Turf Pest), 6 (Right-of-Way) and 10 (Research and
Demonstration).
Registration Options
Check in opens at 8 a.m. on Thursday, July 23 at the ISU
Horticulture Research Station, 55519 170th St. Ames, IA 50010, program sessions
begin at 8:45 a.m. and pre-registration is preferred.
·
Homeowners
and gardeners registration fee is $30. To pre-register, download,
print and complete the registration
form, and send with payment to the Iowa Turfgrass Institute office at
515-635-0306 or jeff@iowaturfgrass.org.
Registration after July 20 is $40.
·
Turf and
lawn care professionals must pre-register using the on-site
registration form; cost is $30. If registering for the Pesticide
Applicator Training (PAT), cost is $50.
·
Student
registration cost is $10; with PAT: $30.
All registration fees include morning refreshments,
a catered lunch by Hickory Park and session materials. Credit cards, purchase
orders and checks made payable to Iowa Turfgrass Institute are accepted. Questions?
Contact the Iowa Turfgrass Institute office at 515-635-0306 or jeff@iowaturfgrass.org.
Iowa State University sponsors the field day in cooperation
with Iowa Turfgrass Institute, Iowa Professional Lawn Care Association, Iowa
Golf Course Superintendents Association and Iowa Sports Turf Managers Association.
###
Related links:
Related publications:
Click for related Turfgrass
publications at the ISU Extension and Outreach online Store.
Images:
Photo Caption &
Credit:
Grading of the new athletic field at the ISU Horticulture
Research Station will be one of the presentations at the upcoming Turfgrass
Field Day, July 23.
Find out what grass species to use in Iowa and which are
native to North America (Kentucky bluegrass isn’t one them) at the next
Turfgrass Field Day, July 23.
Photos by Christopher
Gannon, Iowa State University
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