Fresh Cut Grass

Tanner and Jeff talk with Andy Ommen about his journey to transform McLean County PONY Field into a Sports Field Management Association (SFMA) Field of the Year!  Since then, Andy has started a company that renovates and maintains natural grass surfaces. He has a fantastic story to tell about volunteer involvement in making improvements to turf surfaces. Jeff Fowler, Penn State Extension (host) Ta...

Tanner and Jeff talk with the University of Connecticut’s Vicky Wallace. Conversation highlights aerification, topdressing, and overseeding, as well as the late fall fertilization application.   Jeff Fowler, Penn State Extension (host)  Tanner DelValle, Penn State Extension (host) Vicky Wallace, University of Connecticut Extension Lead photo: Jeffrey Fowler, Penn State You can find information on...

Tanner and Jeff talk with Extension Specialist Dr. Pete Landschoot about the new Pennsylvania Fertilizer Bill, which was signed into law in July 2022. We talk about the law and the effects that it will have on fertilizer applications in the state.    Jeff Fowler, Penn State Extension (host)  Tanner DelValle, Penn State Extension (host) Dr. Peter Landschoot, Penn State University Lead photo: Tanner...

Tanner and Jeff talk with Dr. Pete Landschoot about Summer Patch, a common fungal disease of bluegrasses. Identification, prevention, and management are discussed. Jeff Fowler, Penn State Extension (host)  Tanner DelValle, Penn State Extension (host) Dr. Peter Landschoot, Penn State University (speaker) Photo:   Dr. Peter Landschoot, Penn State University You can find information on turf issues in...

Tanner and Jeff talk with Steve Majchrzak of Hoffman Irrigation about water reels. Steve has worked with many field managers to help them figure out the best solution to their water needs. He shares his expertise with us in this episode. We talk about volume, pressure, and site needs. After the dry growing season we had this year, you don’t want to miss this one!  Jeff Fowler, Penn State Extension...

Tanner and Jeff mix it up this week and call on a few friends to talk about smoking meat! Inspired by Roch Gaussoin, University of Nebraska Extension Turfgrass Specialist and a certified BBQ Judge, we decided to call up a few friends in the turf business who smoke meat and discuss tricks of the trade.  If for no other reason, you must listen to this to find out how to smoke ice!   Jeff Fowler, Pen...

Tanner and Jeff talk with Andy Lipinski from EH Griffith about aerification and overseeding. Andy spent 18 seasons working in the NFL and stepped away to work with professionals as a sales consultant. We talk about field care in the NFL and fields at the parks and recreation level. Aerification, overseeding, wear, and recovery are all discussed. Jeff Fowler, Penn State Extension (host)  Tanner Del...

Tanner and Jeff host Chris Lessig from Volusia County Parks in Florida.  After an extensive career in Pennsylvania, Chris found himself managing warm-season grass in Florida Parks. Chris compares the two grass types and discusses the major differences. Park maintenance in Florida is much different than in Pennsylvania, in more ways than you may think!  Jeff Fowler, Penn State Extension (host)  Tan...

Tanner and Jeff talk with Dr. Ben McGraw about turf insects in the summer of 2022. We focus on chinch bugs, billbugs, and white grubs. We talk about the potential of a fall armyworm invasion like there was in 2021. We also discuss how to sample for, identify, and sample for these pests. Jeff Fowler, Penn State Extension (host)  Tanner DelValle, Penn State Extension (host) Dr. Ben McGraw, Penn Stat...

Tanner and Jeff talk about how the summer of 2022 is going. We discuss turf disease issues, turf selection, fungicides, weeds, and other topics. Tanner adds his observations on the Bluemuda plots he has established.   Jeff Fowler, Penn State Extension (host)  Tanner DelValle, Penn State Extension (host)   Lead photo: Jeff Fowler, Penn State You can find information on turf issues in the Turfgrass...

Tanner and Jeff talk with Dr. Amy Korman about protecting ourselves from tick-borne illnesses. Working outdoors has certain risks; one of those is being exposed to insects that can carry bacteria and viruses that can infect us. Amy talks about Lyme disease and how it spreads, as well as other diseases that can be transmitted by insects.   Jeff Fowler, Penn State Extension (host)  Tanner DelValle,...

Tanner and Jeff have four guests on the show this week. All four are prominent figures in the turf industry, and all four are women.  These ladies have come together to volunteer at the Women’s U.S. Open, and in 2022, a team of 14 will be volunteering at the Little League Softball World Series in Greenville, NC.   What a fantastic way to show 11-12-year-old girls playing softball that field mainte...

Tanner and Jeff have three of the top professionals in the turf industry on the show this week. The conversation is centered around resodding in-season during the NFL football season. We discuss sod quality and working with sod growers to grow exactly what is needed to withstand the wear and tear that games and special events put on the field. Jeff Fowler, Penn State Extension (host)  Tanner DelVa...

Tanner and Jeff have two past Sports Field Management Association (SFMA) presidents join them and discuss park maintenance in a big city. They talk about the challenges of managing a tremendous number of parks, equipment, and staffing. Water is the most important aspect of managing their parks and is crucial to keeping all of their parks safe and enjoyable for residents of their cities. Jeff Fowle...

Tanner and Jeff have industry veteran Sean Cullen join them to share his expertise on reel mowers. They talk about questions to ask when making a purchase and things to consider before looking for a new mower.  Jeff Fowler, Penn State Extension (host) Tanner DelValle, Penn State Extension (host) Sean Cullin, Territory Manager, Turf Equipment and Supply Company Lead photo: Jeffrey T. Fowler, Penn S...

Tanner and Jeff have industry veteran Sean Cullen join them to share his expertise on rotary mowers. They talk about questions to ask when making a purchase and things to consider before looking for a new mower. Blades, discharge direction, mulching, zero turns, rear-wheel steering, and much more are discussed. Jeff Fowler, Penn State Extension (host) Tanner DelValle, Penn State Extension (host) S...

Tanner and Jeff have Dr. Roch Gaussoin, a professor at the University of Nebraska , join them this week. Roch talks about strategies for hard-to-get annual and perennial weeds.  Roch’s recent research has focused on Nutsedge, but we talk about many other tactical approaches to control.   Jeff Fowler, Penn State Extension (host)  Tanner DelValle, Penn State Extension (host) Dr. Roch Gaussion, Profe...

Tanner and Jeff host Dr. Mike Agnew from Syngenta on the show this week. Dr. Agnew has spent 40 years in the turf industry and 30 of those have been working with plant growth regulators.  Dr. Agnew discusses how and why to use growth regulators and how to incorporate them into a program. Jeff Fowler, Penn State Extension (host)  Tanner DelValle, Penn State Extension (host) Dr. Michael Agnew, Techn...

Tanner and Jeff walk with Weston Appelfeller, from Austin FC. Weston talks about managing seashore paspalum at the newly constructed Austin FC facility. Weston talks about why this grass was chosen and how shade was a factor in its selection. This discussion is a unique opportunity to learn about professional soccer stadium turf maintenance with a unique turf species. Weston Appelfeller, Senior Di...

Tanner and Jeff talk with Kyle Leppelmeier from the Toledo Mudhens about transitioning from having an ice rink on a natural turfgrass field to opening day in just a few months. From removing the rink to grading, sodding, and having it safe for play, Kyle tells the listeners the steps he and his team take to pull off the impossible!   Jeff Fowler, Penn State Extension (host)  Tanner DelValle, Penn...

Tanner and Jeff host Erin Wilder of Sod Solutions and Randy Price of Tri Tex Sod. The topic for this episode is all about Zoysia grass. Erin and Randy discuss new varieties and management practices to maintain a quality Zoysia stand. We talk about recovery after heavy wear and its nutritional needs as a warm-season grass.  Sod Solutions TriTex Sod Episode Hosts/Speakers:  Jeff Fowler, Penn State E...

Tanner and Jeff talk with Krystal Snyder, Extension Educator with Penn State , about the basics of maintaining landscape plantings and flower beds. Most turf managers have responsibilities to maintain flowers and/or landscapes in some way at their facility but may have little or no knowledge of how to do so.  Jeff Fowler, Penn State Extension (host)  Tanner DelValle, Penn State Extension (host) Kr...

Tanner and Jeff talk with Boyd Montgomery, Regional Business Manager Sports Fields & Grounds for The Toro Company , about buying vs. leasing equipment. Boyd, a great friend, and champion of natural turf enlightens us on the options of buying vs. leasing when making a new equipment acquisition. Boyd continues by talking about the supply chain and its influence on the supply of new equipment.   ...

Tanner and Jeff talk with Matt Uveges, Manager of the Commercial Technical Services Division at Toro, to discuss equipment care and maintenance. They also discuss winter care and preparation for the spring season.  Jeff Fowler, Penn State Extension (host)  Tanner DelValle, Penn State Extension (host) Matt Uveges, The Toro Company Lead photo: Jeffrey Fowler, Penn State You can find information on t...

Tanner and Jeff talk with Pam Sherratt from Ohio State University . Pam talks about the importance of a quality stand of turf when managing for play, be that sports or golf. Pam is native to England; she came to Ohio State for the summer, and more than 20 years later—she's still there! It is a delight to catch up with Pam and talk turf!  Jeff Fowler, Penn State Extension (host)  Tanner DelVal...