Turfgrass Turfgrass ManagementManagement

Rob Golembiewski, Ph.D.Rob Golembiewski, Ph.D.

OSU Oregon State University

To love what you do andfeel that it matters –

how could anything bemore fun?

-----Katherine Graham-----

Why are we here?

Turfgrass Defined as “a grass species maintained as a

mowed turf”

Major vegetative ground cover in American landscape

Acreage of Selected Crops in U.S.

Corn (grain & silage) 79,914,515Soybeans 72,399,844Hay/Forage (all crops) 64,041,337Turfgrass (all uses)

50,000,000*Wheat 45,519,976Cotton 12,456,162Orchards 5,330,439

*31 million acres irrigated

EmploymentOpportunities

Golf Course Maintenance GCSAA – www.gcsaa.org

Lawn CareLawn CarePLANET – PLANET –

www.landcarenetwork.orgwww.landcarenetwork.org

Sports TurfSports TurfSTMA – STMA –

www.sportsturfmanager.orgwww.sportsturfmanager.org

Sod productionSod productionTPI – www.turfgrasssod.orgTPI – www.turfgrasssod.org

Grounds MaintenanceGrounds Maintenance

Environmental Benefits of Turfgrass

Natural Air Cleaner

Acre of grass will absorb hundreds of pounds of sulfur dioxide per year.

Haze created by these pollutants can reduce sunlight as much as _____ .A. 5% B. 10% C. 15% D. 20%

Stabilizing the Earth

Water run-off from lawns is rare because the average 10,000 sq.ft. lawn can absorb more than _____ gallons of water from a rainfall event.A. 6,000 B. 12,000 C. 18,000 D. 24,000

Community & HealthBenefits of Turfgrass

According to University of Illinois study, According to University of Illinois study, ADD symptoms in children are relieved ADD symptoms in children are relieved after spending time in nature. The after spending time in nature. The greener the setting the more the relief.greener the setting the more the relief.

Cooling the Environment

Summer air temperatures above a lawn will be up to _____ degrees cooler than above a paved area.A. 10 B. 20 C. 30 D. 40

Noise Reduction

A 4” turf along a road reduces vehicle noise levels by _____ .

A. 10% B. 20% C. 30% D. 40%

Compliments Overall Compliments Overall

LandscapingLandscaping

Mowing Relieves StressMowing Relieves Stress

EconomicBenefits of Turfgrass

Increases Property Values Increases Property Values Up to 15%Up to 15%

Deters CrimeDeters Crime

Reduces Home Cooling CostsReduces Home Cooling Costs

Future ofTurfgrass

You don’t know what you’ve got ‘till it’s gone.

They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.

-----Joni Mitchell 1970-----

Contact Information

Rob GolembiewskiOregon State University4017 ALS BuildingCorvallis, OR 97331

Phone: (541) 737-5449Email: golembir@hort.oregonstate.edu