Turfgrass Epistemology

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-wis...

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 subjecte...

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 ...

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 the...

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....

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 Turfgr...

On this episode of Turfgrass Epistemology, Dr. Dan Sandor joins me to break down his study that addresses one of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of turf establishment: how much water should you really apply when seeding a new lawn?

Sandor et al. (2021) evaluated daily irrigation at 50%, 75%, 100%, and 125% reference evapotranspiration (ETo) to determine how quickly tall fescue and bermudagrass cultivars reach full coverage....

In this episode of Turfgrass Epistemology, we dive into a study from Oregon State University that looked at how turfgrass species and mowing height affect water requirements in western Oregon. The results might surprise you—tall fescue and perennial ryegrass significantly outperformed fine fescues when it came to conserving water.

We’ll break down the data on evapotranspiration replacement, irrigation intervals, and how mowing heig...

In this episode, I dive into the comment section and my inbox to respond to the most interesting, insightful, and downright puzzling messages I’ve received from viewers. From soil test questions and fertilizer theories to passionate turf debates and a few questionable product claims—nothing is off limits.

Whether you're here to learn, laugh, or just see if your message made the cut, this video is a behind-the-scenes look at the com...

In this episode, I dive into the comment section and my inbox to respond to the most interesting, insightful, and downright puzzling messages I’ve received from viewers. From soil test questions and fertilizer theories to passionate turf debates and a few questionable product claims—nothing is off limits.

Whether you're here to learn, laugh, or just see if your message made the cut, this video is a behind-the-scenes look at the com...

In this video, I critically examine the advice presented in "How to Fertilize in Hot Weather. Dog urine spot prevention, fungus recovery, general fertilizer." While the original video offers practical tips on lawn care during hot weather, it's essential to scrutinize the recommendations to ensure they align with best practices and scientific understanding.

Key Points Discussed: - Fertilizing in High Temperatures: Assessing the risk...

In this episode of Turfgrass Epistemology, we analyze a pivotal field study that tested the drought resistance and irrigation needs of five common turfgrass species under real-world conditions in northern Texas. Using a unique linear gradient irrigation system, Qian and Engelke evaluated how ‘Tifway’ bermudagrass, ‘Meyer’ zoysiagrass, ‘Rebel II’ tall fescue, ‘Prairie’ buffalograss, and ‘Nortam’ St. Augustinegrass performed under a ...

He flashes university research to sell Air 8—but is it the whole story? In this video, I break down the science he didn’t show you. Liquid aeration sounds impressive, but does the data actually support the hype? Let’s dig into what the university study really says—and what he conveniently left out. If you're serious about turfgrass and tired of marketing spin dressed up as science, this one's for you.

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Which Grass Survives Water Restrictions? Science Has the Answer. On this episode of Turfgrass Epistemology, we dive into a long-term study that puts warm-season turfgrasses to the test under real-world municipal water restrictions. Which species held up best when irrigation was limited to once or twice a week? How do turf quality, coverage, and drought resilience stack up over time?

Join me as we examine what the science actually s...

You've seen the ads: "Liquid aeration breaks up soil compaction—no plugs, no mess!" But does it really work? This video dives into a new peer-reviewed study that compares liquid aeration products (humic acids, seaweed, fertilizer blends) with mechanical hollow-tine cultivation on hybrid bermudagrass fairways.

The results are eye-opening.

✅ Did liquid aeration improve turf health? ✅ Can it reduce compaction like traditional aerifica...

Is "fast green" always the right goal? In this episode, I critique the video [How to Get a GREEN LAWN FAST] and unpack the science behind the three quick tips it promotes. Are these practices sustainable—or just shortcuts with hidden consequences? Join me as we separate turfgrass fact from flashy fiction.

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Discover how tall and hard fescue respond to water stress in this deep dive into the science of deficit irrigation. In this episode, we explore a peer-reviewed study that reveals how reduced water inputs affect turf performance, rooting, and drought resilience. If you're managing turf in a water-limited environment, this research has critical insights you don't want to miss.

article: https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/1...

In this episode of Turfgrass Epistemology, I provide commentary on the scientific article "Effect of Irrigation Frequency on Turf Quality, Shoot Density, and Root Length Density of Five Bentgrass Cultivars." We examine how irrigation intervals influence turfgrass performance, with a focus on shoot density and root development. I discuss the experimental design, key findings, and what this research means for managing bentgrass under...

In this episode of Turfgrass Epistemology, I provide commentary on the scientific article "Irrigation frequency effects on Prizm zoysiagrass establishment from sprigs." We examine how different irrigation intervals influenced establishment speed, coverage, and quality during early growth. I break down the study’s design, highlight the key findings, and discuss how the results apply to real-world turf management decisions—especially...