Plant and Soil Science Hosting Annual Turfgrass Field Day, Open House

The events will give professionals and homeowners tips on how to maintain healthy turfgrass with the most efficient techniques.

Growing and maintaining turf during a sweltering West Texas summer will be in the spotlight July 7 and July 9 when the Texas Tech University Department of Plant and Soil Science hosts a program for professionals and homeowners that will show the best methods to maintaining healthy lawns and landscapes.

A Homeowner Landscape Field Day will be held for non-professionals on Saturday (July 7). Registration for the free, half-day, come-and-go event at the corner of Second Street and Quaker Avenue runs from 8 a.m.-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,” said Joey Young, an assistant professor with the Department of Plant and Soil Science in the College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources.

Among the topics and demonstrations scheduled for review are:

  • Attracting pollinators
  • Drought-tolerant landscape plants
  • Fertility practices
  • Growing your own vegetables
  • Irrigation technology
  • Turf water usage

A Professional Turfgrass Management Field Day will be held at the Texas Tech Quaker Research Farm on Monday (July 9). Registration for the half-day program begins at 7:30 a.m., and the program will run until noon. The program is free and a lunch will be provided for participants.

“We will provide information to improve the sustainability of managing turfgrass for use on golf courses, athletic fields and commercial landscapes,” Young said.

The turfgrass field day typically draws green industry professionals such as landscapers, athletic field managers and golf course superintendents, he said.

Among the topics scheduled for review are:

  • Drones and moisture stress
  • Recovery from jackrabbit damage
  • Soil impacts on irrigation requirements
  • Water retention with surfactants
  • Water use om turf species

Both events have been developed and provided by Texas Tech’s Department of Plant and Soil Science.