Metropolitan Council

UMN Turfgrass Team at events on 5/14/25 & 5/17/25!

Educational display with University of Minnesota logo, educational signs, pamphlets, and plant samples.

The UMN Turfgrass Science team will be at both of the following events this week!


UMN Turfgrass Team at events on 4/23/25 & 4/26/25!

a turfgrass educational display with University of Minnesota colors and logo

The UMN Turfgrass Science team will be at both of the following events this week!


UMN Turfgrass Team at Eagan Earth Day Celebration - 4/19/25

a turf educator at an outdoor event with an interested group of people

The UMN Turfgrass Science team will be at the Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 19, 2025 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. located at Trapp Farm Park, 841 Wilderness Run Road, Eagan, MN 55123.


Rebates available in the Twin Cities for upgrading smart irrigation products

By Gary Deters

Updated technology products for saving water in home lawn irrigation systems have been available for many years. These products include Wi-Fi-enabled irrigation controllers, rain sensors, soil sensors, smart sprinkler heads, and smart hose timers. The benefit of the Wi-Fi-enabled controllers or weather-based products is they automatically adjust watering schedules based on current or future weather conditions. This helps homeowners avoid over-watering or under-watering, and conserves water. It also helps provide peace of mind, as homeowners don’t have to worry about adjusting sprinklers when weather changes or when they are not home to monitor conditions.


UMN Turfgrass Team at Rosemount Expo - 4/5/25

a display table with maroon and gold tablecloth and turfgrass educational materials

The UMN Turfgrass Science team will be at the Rosemount Expo on Saturday, April 5, 2025 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. located at 3335 142nd St W, Rosemount, MN 55068.


UMN Turfgrass Team at the North Suburban Home Show - 3/8/2025

The UMN Turfgrass Science team will be at the North Suburban Home Show on Saturday, March 8, 2025 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event is located at the Andover YMCA Community Center, 15200 Hanson Blvd. NW, Andover, MN 55304.

Please stop by and see the educational display on lawn care and irrigation best management practices. Our team will be there to answer your questions regarding low-input lawn maintenance, how to manage your lawn water use or just about anything else relating to lawns. 


EPA award for water-saving program

For the past several years, we have partnered with the Metropolitan Council on the Reducing Water Use on Twin Cities Lawns through Research, Education, and Outreach project. Recently, the Metropolitan Council earned a national award for Excellence in Promoting WaterSense Labeled Products from the U.S.


UMN Turfgrass Team at MidCity Farmers Market - 10/9/24

a display table with maroon and gold tablecloth and turfgrass educational materials

The UMN Turfgrass Science team will be at the MidCity Farmers Market on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. located at 693 Raymond Avenue, St. Paul, MN.


Irrigation prevention at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

By Gary Deters

The summers of 2021-2023 presented significant challenges for those managing lawns or turfgrass with drought conditions, extreme temperatures, and a lack of rainfall. Many homeowners likely relied heavily on underground irrigation systems to maintain healthy grass or to follow municipal odd/even watering restrictions. Even smart irrigation systems with rain sensors, soil sensors, or weather-based controllers allowed irrigation based on weather and soil conditions due to the lack of rain.


UMN Turfgrass Team at BCWD Community Event - 9/21/24

The UMN Turfgrass Science team will be at the Brown's Creek Watershed District Community Event on Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The location is Brown’s Creek Park (8312 Neal Ave N Stillwater, MN 55082). 

Please stop by and see the educational display on lawn care and irrigation best management practices. Our team will be there to answer your questions regarding low-input lawn maintenance, how to manage your lawn water use or just about anything else relating to lawns.