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PODCAST

Turfgrass Epistemology

This podcast explores how we know what we know about turfgrass science. If you are a lawn care operator, sport field manager, sod producer, golf superintendent, or a home owner, this podcast provides evidence-based information to help you better manage your turfgrass.

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All Episodes

72:29

S3 E56 University Extension Programs

Turfgrass Epistemology ·

2025/10/30

In this episode, I sit down to talk about a topic that’s been at the heart of American higher education for more than a century — university extension. We’ll explore how extension began, why it was once the lifeblood of land-grant universities, and how the system that connected science to society is now quietly disappearing.Extension was created so universities could serve the public — not just by publishing papers, but by helping real people solve real problems. For decades, that mission worked

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57:40

S3 E55 Dew, Nitrogen, and Dollar Spot

Turfgrass Epistemology ·

2025/10/29

Can something as simple as mowing time really stop a turfgrass disease? In this episode of Turfgrass Epistemology, we look back at a landmark 1996 study by Williams, Powell, Vincelli, and Dougherty from the University of Kentucky — a paper that changed how superintendents think about dew, nitrogen, and dollar spot control. Dollar spot (Sclerotinia homoeocarpa) thrives on leaf moisture. Williams et al. tested what happens when you simply remove that moisture early in the morning. Their data were

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53:37

S3 E54 The Rise and Fall of University Turfgrass...

Turfgrass Epistemology ·

2025/10/24

In this video, I explore the history and current state of university turfgrass programs—from their rise during the post-war boom in golf, parks, and sports fields to their decline in recent decades. I explain how turfgrass faculty positions are created and filled, what factors lead to the loss of those positions, and why many programs are now disappearing altogether. I connect the dots between enrollment trends, industry funding, and the shifting priorities of universities that have left turfgrass

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67:45

S3 E53 Does Biochar Reduce Dollar Spot?

Turfgrass Epistemology ·

2025/10/23

In this video, I examine the 2021 study by Beckley and Roberts published in the International Turfgrass Society Research Journal titled “Utilizing Organic Amendments for General Suppression of Dollar Spot on Creeping Bentgrass.” The discussion centers on one key question: Does biochar actually reduce dollar spot? I break down the experimental design—how researchers compared biochar, compost, vermicompost, and traditional fertilizers under equal nitrogen rates—and explains what the data really show

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73:54

S3 E52 Biology and Management of Large Patch

Turfgrass Epistemology ·

2025/10/16

In this video, I explore the recent review article “Review of the Biology and Management of Large Patch of Warm-Season Turfgrasses” (Kreinberg et al., Crop Science, 2025). I walk you through what the authors tell us about Rhizoctonia solani AG 2-2 LP — the fungal pathogen behind large patch disease in warm-season turfgrasses — how environmental conditions favor its development, and how it can persist in thatch through seasonal dormancy. Along the way, I highlight the state of current cultural,

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77:19

S3 E51 Dollar Spot on Turfgrass

Turfgrass Epistemology ·

2025/10/14

In this video, I take you through the state of the science on dollar spot disease in turfgrass, framed by the recent review “New Approaches to an Old Problem: Dollar Spot of Turfgrass.” We explore how this ubiquitous fungal disease (caused by Clarireedia spp.) continues to challenge turf managers, why traditional fungicide programs are increasingly under pressure, and what new genomic tools and breeding strategies may offer as solutions. I’ll break down the authors’ discussion of pathogen genomics,

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71:49

S3 E50 Water Use on U.S. Golf Courses

Turfgrass Epistemology ·

2025/09/16

In this video, I dive into the article “Survey of Water Use and Management Practices on US Golf Courses from 2005 to 2024” published in HortTechnology (Shaddox et al., 2025). The study tracks nearly twenty years of changes in how golf courses across the United States use and manage water. I discuss how irrigation volumes and irrigated areas have shifted over time, highlight important regional differences, and explain why some water sources—like recycled water—are declining while others remain

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76:07

S3 E49 Tinfoil Turfgrass: How Conmen Deceive While...

Turfgrass Epistemology ·

2025/09/15

In this video, I discuss the YouTube episode “Struggling Turf? Calcium Could Be the Missing …” and examine it through the lens of the strawman fallacy. We’ll look at how someone can present information that is technically true, yet still mislead by reframing the issue or knocking down an argument no one actually made.This breakdown shows how a conman can be both truthful and deceptive at the same time—a powerful reminder of why critical thinking matters in turfgrass science, lawn care, and

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79:14

S3 E48 How to Water When Drought is Coming + Tinfoil...

Turfgrass Epistemology ·

2025/09/09

In this video, I review the scientific article “Irrigation Frequency Affects Zoysiagrass Rooting and Plant Water Status.” We’ll look at how different irrigation schedules influenced root development and water relations in zoysiagrass, and what these findings mean for turfgrass management. If you’ve ever wondered how often you should water to encourage deeper roots and better turf performance, this study offers valuable evidence-based insights.Article:

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88:34

S3 E47 Tinfoil Turfgrass: The Liquid Aeration Con in...

Turfgrass Epistemology ·

2025/09/04

In this episode, I break down the claims made in “Check out These Roots, John Perry! | [LIVE PODCAST] Ep.8 of the Average Joe Lawn Care Show,” where the hosts argue that liquid aeration is an effective solution for lawn health. I dive into the science and present evidence that challenges their assertions. With years of turfgrass science experience, I explain why liquid aeration doesn’t deliver the promised results and why relying on this product could lead to misguided lawn care practices. Don’t

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106:39

S3 E46 Two-Year Anniversary and Research Fund Raiser!

Turfgrass Epistemology ·

2025/08/28

In this video, I take a look at some of the recent comments and questions from TikTok and YouTube. Your feedback not only shapes the conversations we’re having here but also sparks deeper discussions about turfgrass science and management.I’m also excited to introduce a new fundraiser supporting turfgrass research. Turfgrass plays a vital role in sports, recreation, and landscapes, yet research in this area often goes underfunded. Your support will help advance studies that improve sustainability,

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58:24

S3 E45 Tall Fescue Rooting and Deficit Irrigation

Turfgrass Epistemology ·

2025/08/26

In this video, I explore the findings of the research article “Tall Fescue Rooting as Affected by Deficit Irrigation” (HortScience, Volume 42, Issue 3). The study, conducted by Jinmin Fu, Jack Fry, and Bingru Huang and published June 1, 2007, investigates how reduced irrigation impacts the rooting behavior of 'Falcon II' tall fescue grasses using minirhizotron imaging.I’ll walk through: The study’s experimental setup using varying levels of evapotranspiration (20%, 60%, and 100%) Key findings such

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01:05:39

S3 E44 Frequent Irrigation Increases Turf Quality and...

Turfgrass Epistemology ·

2025/08/21

In this video, I examine the research by Cain et al. (2022) that explores how varying irrigation schedules affect the encroachment of annual bluegrass (Poa annua) into perennial ryegrass turf systems in western Oregon. The study reveals that watering once per week significantly reduces annual bluegrass encroachment compared to irrigating four times a week, and that replacing irrigation volumes based on reference evapotranspiration (ETref) had no meaningful impact on that outcomeThroughout the

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01:30:09

S3 E43 Irrigation Affects Fescue Color and Weeds

Turfgrass Epistemology ·

2025/08/07

In this video, I discuss the scientific article "Irrigation Rates and Frequency Affect Tall Fescue Color and Weed Encroachment." We’ll examine how adjusting irrigation amounts and timing influences turfgrass aesthetics and weed pressure. From water conservation to maintaining turf quality, this study provides valuable guidance for anyone managing tall fescue under variable moisture conditions.https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/its2.184 📩 Have a comment or question of your own? Drop

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01:06:09

S3 E42 Does Irrigation Influence Root Extension?

Turfgrass Epistemology ·

2025/08/05

In this video, I review the scientific article "Irrigation Frequency and Amount Effect on Root Extension during Sod Establishment of Warm-season Grasses." We’ll explore how different irrigation strategies influence root growth during establishment, what this means for practical turfgrass management, and how to strike the right balance between watering efficiency and sod performance. If you manage turf or are curious about water-wise establishment practices, this study offers some important

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01:07:29

S3 E40 Kentucky Bluegrass, Water Use, and Soil Texture

Turfgrass Epistemology ·

2025/07/29

In this video, I offer commentary on the scientific article titled "Water use and performance of Kentucky bluegrass influenced by cultivar, irrigation practices, and soil texture," published in the International Turfgrass Society Research Journal (DOI: 10.1002/its2.200).The study evaluated two Kentucky bluegrass cultivars, Mallard and Geronimo, grown in lysimeters filled with either loamy sand or silt loam. Each setup was subjected to two irrigation levels: 40% and 80% replacement of reference

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01:12:44

S3 E40 Exploring Irrigation Strategies for Tall Fescue

Turfgrass Epistemology ·

2025/07/24

In this video, I dive into the 2002 study from Crop Science that evaluates how different irrigation schedules, tall fescue cultivars, and mowing heights interact to shape turf performance.Article: https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.2135/cropsci2002.2011 ✅ What you'll discover: Study design highlights: 2‑year field trial in Riverside, CA, comparing 2–4 irrigation events per week at ~80 % ET₀, two cultivars (a dwarf vs. a turf-type), and two mowing heights (~3.8 cm vs. 6.4 cm) Key

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01:04:44

S3 E39 Tinfoil Turfgrass: Whole Lot of Potassium =...

Turfgrass Epistemology ·

2025/07/22

In this video, I respond to the Bermuda Grass Central video “The Best Summer Fertilizer for Lawns? Why Yard Mastery 7‑0‑20 is …”. I break down their main arguments, evaluate their fertilizer recommendations, and highlight both strong and weak points.✅ What you’ll get: Summary of Claims: A quick overview of the video’s main points—why the creator supports Yard Mastery’s 7‑0‑20 blend for summer turf. Critical Analysis: Comparing their claims to current turf fertilization research—does a

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01:46:44

S3 E38 Tinfoil Turfgrass: More Granular and Foliar...

Turfgrass Epistemology ·

2025/07/17

In this video, I critique “Found the Best Iron to Apply to Your Lawn For Summer Color” by a former golf course superintendent. While I agree that iron can boost turf color without pushing growth, I question some of the application advice—especially the dosing schedule and lack of soil pH context.I break down what the original video gets right, what it misses, and share my evidence-based tips for using iron effectively this summer. If you want deep green turf without wasting money or product, this

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01:10:14

S3 E37 Perennial Ryegrass Irrigation Rates and...

Turfgrass Epistemology ·

2025/07/16

In this video, I break down the findings from the scientific article "Optimizing Irrigation Rates and Frequency for Perennial Ryegrass in Western Oregon." We’ll look at how different irrigation strategies affected turf quality and what this means for managing ryegrass under Pacific Northwest conditions. Whether you’re a turf manager or a lawn care enthusiast, this research has practical takeaways you can use. 🔔 Subscribe to Turfgrass Epistemology for more turf science and myth-busting

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