Low input
New research publication from our team - 9/19/23
Learn more about our research! A new, open access article by Ross Braun, Eric Watkins, Andrew Hollman, Aaron Patton has been published in the journal Crop Science. This research demonstrates that fine fescues are truly low-input as they require less fertilizer and pesticides, while maintaining turf quality, compared to traditional turfgrass species.
Braun, R. C., Watkins, E., Hollman, A. B., and Patton, A. J. 2023. Assessing the fertilizer and pesticide input needs of cool-season turfgrass species. Crop Science, 63:3079–3095. https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.21046 [Open Access]
University of Minnesota Turfgrass team in the media – 8/24/2020
Check out our team’s latest efforts in educating the public about our work! We have an article and two webinar videos to share.
Cultivar Data: 2019
2019 Data
All links below are .pdf files
Creeping bentgrass
Kentucky bluegrass
Perennial ryegrass
Cultivar Data: 2018
2018 Data
All links below are .pdf files
Creeping bentgrass
Kentucky bluegrass
Perennial ryegrass
Fescue for Thought
By David Herrera
NASA scientist Cristina Milesi estimates that there is three times the amount of turfgrass in the United States as there are acres of irrigated corn [1]. When we consider that the rate of grass seed density required for turf can be up to 6 lbs per 1000 sq.ft, one can imagine the enormous quantity of seed needed to plant all that turf! Most of that planted grass seed is, at least here in the Midwest, Kentucky bluegrass. However, there is a grass genus that has gained interest and may one day be used just as much or more as Kentucky bluegrass. These newcomers are in the genus Festuca, and are commonly known as the fine fescues.
Using fine fescue species as a low input turf for golf greens in Minnesota
By Dominic Petrella
Before I came to the University of Minnesota I had never actually seen a fine fescue golf green in person. I’ve always had the impression that fine fescue species could only produce a suitable greens surface in climates similar to Ireland, the U.K., or the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. Recent research, however, is helping me to realize that fine fescues could be suitable for golf greens in Minnesota (or similar Midwest locations) that want a lower input option.
Seeding your lawn this fall? Here are some considerations (Part 2 of 2)
By Sam Bauer
Previously I wrote about the different renovation options for fall seeding of lawns and about the various attributes of cool-season lawn grasses. This week I wanted to discuss the mixtures and blends of grass seed that are on the consumer marketplace. If you’ve ever walked into your local big box store or garden center looking for grass seed, the different products available can be fairly intimidating. To be honest, I often have a difficult time finding the right mixture, because it only takes one bad ingredient to produce a poor quality lawn. With that in mind, let’s take a look at several categories of grass seed mixtures that are available to you.
Nutrient Pollution in the Mississippi River-Twin Cities Watershed: How Outreach Efforts can be Informed by the Relationship Between Individual Water Pathway Knowledge and Lawn Maintenance Practices
By Madeline Leslie, Graduate Research Assistant
2014 Cultivar Evaluation Results
By Sam Bauer
The 2014 Cultivar Evaluation Results are now available and published online. To view these results, click the “Cultivar Evaluation Results” tab under the Research section on the left of this webpage. Clicking this link will initially bring you to the 2014 data page, but you can view archived data from 2007-2013 as well. Study labels are preceded by the date in which that study was planted. For example, “2011 NTEP Kentucky bluegrass” was established in 2011, but you will be viewing the most recent data if you are in the 2014 tab.
How to use the results: