Lawn
Tarping out creeping Charlie: An herbicide‑free backyard experiment
By Gary Deters
One of the most common questions we receive from homeowners is how to manage or remove creeping Charlie (ground ivy) from their lawns. It’s an incredibly difficult weed to remove, especially when a homeowner prefers not to use herbicides.
Lawns as living systems: Connecting people, nature, and technology
By Michael Barnes
Lawns are everywhere in our yards, parks, and sports fields but they’re more than just green spaces. They are part of a complex system that connects people, nature, and technology. Managing them well requires balancing environmental concerns, evolving technology, and social expectations.
University of Minnesota Turfgrass team in the media – 6/10/24
Check out our team’s latest efforts in educating the public about our work. Researcher Michael Barnes was interviewed by NPR in about the debate over traditional lawns. Listen to the interview or read the article - The arguments for swapping lawns for more natural landscaping.
University of Minnesota Turfgrass team in the media – 5/22/24
Check out our team’s latest efforts in educating the public about our work. Researcher Michael Barnes and Turfgrass Extension Educator Jon Trappe were interviewed by NPR in Kansas City about the value of lawns. Listen to the interview or read the article - Grass lawns are a landscape staple, but an environmental reckoning may change that.
New research publication from our team - 1/5/22
Learn more about our research! A new article from our group has been published in the Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism. This research found that park users have a preference for natural turfgrass lawns and are more hesitant to use artificial turfgrass lawns, which has implications for decision-makers choosing between these two options.
Barnes, M.R. and E. Watkins. 2022. Differences in likelihood of use between artificial and natural turfgrass lawns. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Vol 37, March 2022, 100480.
