Canadian Turf Talks

Winter injury remains is arguably the most unpredictable and costly challenges in cool-season turf management. This episode is an excerpt from the 2026 Ontario Turfgrass Symposium, with guest speaker Dr Ed Nangle from Ohio State University ATI.

Renovating a sports field is more than what you see on the surface — what lies beneath can be just as critical. This episode is an excerpt from the 2026 Ontario Turfgrass Symposium, with guest speaker Beth Patchett from Ontario One Call about the importance of considering the underground infrastructure when planning a construction project.

The major insect pests impacting sod farms in Ontario are white grubs, billbugs, crane fly, and chinch bugs. This episode is an excerpt from the 2026 Ontario Turfgrass Symposium, with guest speaker Dr. Kyle Wickings from Cornell University who covers recommended protocols for scouting, pesticide use, and alternative control methods.

Dollar spot remains the most persistent and costly disease of cool-season turfgrass. This episode is an excerpt from the 2026 Ontario Turfgrass Symposium, with guest speaker Dr. Lee Miller from Purdue University who describes results from fungicide trials and cultivar evaluations, plus preliminary data on dollar spot suppression when using autonomous mowers.

Data-driven field management strategies can create safer, more consistent playing conditions and reduce the risk of injury. This episode is an excerpt from the 2026 Ontario Turfgrass Symposium, with guest speaker Ava Veith from Pennsylvania State University.

The long-term success of a lawn care business depends on the strength and stability of its team. This episode is an excerpt from the 2026 Ontario Turfgrass Symposium, with guest speaker Derek Robinson from Weed Man talking about how proper training can strengthen your workforce, reduce turnover, and cultivate the next generation of leaders.

Clear, accurate painted lines are essential for defining boundaries, highlighting key areas, and ensuring fair, consistent play. This episode is an excerpt from the 2026 Ontario Turfgrass Symposium, with guest speakers Joe Breedon from the City of Barrie and Brent Baker from Simplistic Lines.

Green spaces play a critical role in making cities healthier, more resilient places to live. This episode is an excerpt from the 2026 Ontario Turfgrass Symposium, with guest speaker Peter Guinane from Oriole Landscaping about The Green Cities Foundation and the Clean Air Calculator tool.

This season is a little different!

In this episode, hosts Dr. Sara Stricker and Carol Turner are joined by guest Lisa Hartvikson, a Turf Managers Short Course alum and long-time turfgrass industry professional. Lisa shares her unconventional journey into turf management, from delivering newspapers to discovering a passion for all things turf at 45. Tune in for a fun and insightful conversation about turf challenges, and the love of...

In this insightful conversation, golf architect Christine Fraser discusses the intersection of accessibility, tradition, and innovation in golf course design. She highlights practical ways to make courses more inclusive for all golfers. This is an excerpt from the Women in Turf Showcase, hosted on March 19, 2025, in partnership with the U of Guelph Turf Student Club, Landscape Architecture Student...

In this episode, we sit down with Mike Jiggens, the editor of Turf & Rec magazine, to explore the world of turfgrass journalism. He shares how he got his start in the industry, his approach to finding compelling stories, and the biggest changes he’s witnessed over his 30-year career. From shifts in media consumption to the evolving challenges facing turf professionals, this conversation offers...

Meet the new co-host, Carol Turner. We chat about Carol’s experience the must-attend conferences and events including OTS (Ontario Turfgrass Symposium), OGSA (Ontario Golf Course Superintendents’ Association) GCSAA (Golf Course Superintendents Association of America), even BIGGA (British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association)! 

Rob Wilke, superintendent at the Skeena Valley Golf & Country Club in Terrace, B.C., was named the CGSA/Rain Bird Environmental Achievement-of-the-Year Award winner in 2022. Not only has he reduced water use on the course (mostly out of necessity), but he has developed a liquid compost product that is made on-site. Since he started spraying the compost tea on his fairways and greens, the Micro...

Jeff Mingay is a golf course architect based in Toronto who has been recently working to renovate Cutten Fields in Guelph, Ontario. Jeff and Bill Green, Superintendent at Cutten, join our co-hosts to discuss the renovations and golf architecture in general. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, the renovations at Cutten were completed entirely "in-house" over the past four years - thanks...

Mike Schiedel's family has been farming along the Grand River in Waterloo County for 80 years. GreenHorizons Group of Sod Farms is one of the largest sod farms in Canada, and Mike is also the President of the Nursery Sod Growers Association of Ontario. Mike says that the sod business needs to be your hobby, your career, and your passion. This episode covers how sod is produced, the challenges...

Amanda Hoewing a Regional Sales Manager for Professional Turf at DLF North America in Ontario. DLF Seeds is a global seed company headquartered in Roskilde, Denmark. Amanda gets us "up to seed" on the supply side of the turf industry, from breeding to sales and everything in between. This episode covers the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the turf seed industry, #NoMowMay, and what&#3...

Jason Steadwell is a Turf Specialist at Syngenta Canada in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He is possibly the "best travelled" in the Canadian turf industry, since he is supporting superintendents from Alberta to northern Ontario. From economics to raking bunkers and now acting as a PROBLEM SOLVER, Jason shares his experience with us. This episode covers some of the new projects underway at Syngenta...

Your hosts Dr. Sara Stricker (Guelph Turfgrass Institute) and Jason Haines (Sunshine Coast Golf & Country Club) chat about the start of a new season for Canadian Turf Talks.

Cam Shaw is the Manager of the Diploma in Turfgrass Management Program at the University of Guelph. This two-year program includes classes on soil science, landscape design, equipment, integrated pest management, and a paid co-op placement in the turf industry. This episodes covers what to expect from the turf program in Guelph, how we are striving to make the industry more diverse and inclusive,...

Rob Heggie is the Director of Grounds at Toronto Football Club, which is also known as BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario. From horticulture to golf to soccer and now football - Rob has even hosted an outdoor ice hockey game on his grass! When you're pushing the limits of environmental factors, plus use and abuse of the turf stand, how does he keep the surface green and playable? This episodes covers R...

Rebecca Zinger is the Cemetery Keeper, Superintendent, and General Manager of Woodlawn Memorial Park in Guelph, Ontario. She has been in the cemetery industry since high school and draws on over two decades of experience. From mowing grass to pushing papers, she has faced all ends of the spectrum when it comes to interments. This episodes covers how to manage turf while combatting soil settling, w...

Paul MacCormack is the General Manager and Superintendent at Fox Meadow Golf Course in Stratford, Prince Edward Island. He is also a blogger, meditation coach, and inspirational speaker.  We talk about the artistry of turf management: the good times, the bad times, and how to use gratitude to improve your life.  SUMMARY KEYWORDS superintendent, golf, turf, struggles, meditation, mindfuln...

Leasha Schwab is the Superintendent at Pheasant Run Golf Course in Sharon, Ontario and she is the founder of the Ladies Leading Turf initiative. She is an inspirational leader and her goal is to foster positive relationships with her employees to ensure a safe and happy work environment. This episode touches on horse dancing, cocktail hours, dogs of turf, and much more.  SUMMARY KEYWORDS turf...

Kyle Tobin is the CEO of LawnSaversLawn Plant Health Care Incorporated in Vaughan, Ontario. As an entrepreneur and leader in the turf industry, Kyle has many words of wisdom to share with our listeners. This episode touches on rock stars, integrated pest management, and the biggest challenge facing the lawn care industry: PEOPLE.  SUMMARY KEYWORDS people, turf, industry, business, lawn care,...