RELIANT ®
The Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council (PTC) serves its members in the industry through education, promotion and representation. The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the association, its staff, or its board of directors, Pennsylvania Turfgrass, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or PTC members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in this, past or subsequent issues of this publication. Copyright © 2025 by the Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council. Pennsylvania Turfgrass is published quarterly. Subscriptions are complimentary to PTC members. Presorted standard postage is paid at Jefferson City, MO. Printed in the U.S.A. Reprints and Submissions: Pennsylvania Turfgrass allows reprinting of material published here. Permission requests should be directed to the PTC. We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs. Contact the managing editor for contribution information. Advertising: For display and classified advertising rates and insertions, please contact Leading Edge Communications, LLC, 206 Bridge Street, Suite 200, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 790-3718, Fax (615) 794-4524.
Dear Pennsylvania Turfgrass Stakeholders,
Happy New Year! We hope you all had a fabulous 2024 and the Turfgrass Team and Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council wish you an even better 2025!
Having taken on the role of Pennsylvania Turfgrass Magazine Editor in Spring 2020, I have overseen five volumes of four issues each and am passing the baton! This has been a rewarding experience for me and there are several people whose assistance I must acknowledge.
First and foremost, there is the Leading Edge Communications group. I thank Julie Holt and Jon Morris for their patient management and creativity. I am similarly thankful for the efforts of the remaining Leading Edge team and the generous support of its advertisers. Without you, Pennsylvania Turfgrass Magazine could not exist.
Then of course there is The Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council (PTC) itself. The PTC leadership remains comprised of motivated, disciplined, and committed professionals. Thank you to Rick Catalogna, our immediate past President, and Shawn Kister, our incoming 2025 PTC President. Thank you elected PTC officers, directors, and Kristen Althouse, Director of Operations. This leadership will undoubtedly continue to brainstorm, communicate, make good decisions, and benefit our industry long into the future. Last, but not least, thank you PTC membership!
Thank you to all our contributors! My turfgrass science colleagues here at PSU, contributors from other Universities, and our member contributors. I would like to thank the Keystone Athletic Field Managers Org. (KAFMO) for their partnership in Pennsylvania Turfgrass!
Managing and assembling original, meaningful content starts out fast and easy. But as the volumes add up, the conveyor belt doesn’t necessarily keep up. I would like to acknowledge my three most dependable contributors, in no particular order: Joann Wheeler of KAFMO, and Drs. David Huff and Michael Fidanza of PSU Turfgrass Science. Thank you for digging deep and keeping it interesting and on time!
Thank you Tom Bettle, Executive Director and interim Editor, Pennsylvania Turfgrass Magazine. I’ll circle back and help the best I can, I promise! Just in case we aren’t able to enjoy each other’s company at an upcoming Winter Conference, I wish you fabulous turf and sport in 2025 –
Max Schlossberg, Ph.D.
Past-Editor, Pennsylvania Turfgrass Magazine
Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council P.O. Box 99 Boalsburg, PA 16827
Phone: 814-237-0767
info@paturf.org www.paturf.org
PUBLISHER
Leading Edge Communications 206 Bridge Street, Suite 200 Franklin, TN 37064 Phone: 615-790-3718
info@leadingedgecommunications.com
Pennsylvania Turfgrass Editor Max Schlossberg, Ph.D. Penn State University mjs38@psu.edu
President Rick Catalogna Harrell’s 412-897-0480
Vice President
Shawn Kister Longwood Gardens 484-883-9275
Secretary / Treasurer
Steve Craig Centre Hills Country Club 814-237-5414
Past President Tom Fisher Wildwood Golf Club 412-518-8384
DIRECTORS
Tom Bettle
Joseph Valentine Turfgrass Research Facility
Dan Douglas Reading Fightin Phils
Matt Wolf
Penn State University
Tim Wilk
Scotch Valley Country Club
Mike DeLeonibus 3 Lakes Golf Course
Tanner Delvalle Fisher & Son Company
Thomas Goyne
Pittsburgh Steelers
Chris Markel Grove City Country Club
STAFF
Tom Bettle Executive Director
Kristen Althouse Director of Operations
Penn State Turf Team
Jeffrey A. Borger
Senior Instructor Emeritus in Turfgrass Weed Management 814-865-3005 • jborger@psu.edu
Michael A. Fidanza, Ph.D. Professor of Plant & Soil Science 610-396-6330 • maf100@psu.edu
David R. Huff, Ph.D. Professor of Turfgrass Genetics 814-863-9805 • drh15@psu.edu
Brad Jakubowski Instructor of Plant Science 814-865-7118 • brj8@psu.edu
John E. Kaminski, Ph.D. Professor of Turfgrass Science 814-865-3007 • jek156@psu.edu
Peter J. Landschoot, Ph.D. Professor of Turfgrass Science 814-863-1017 • pjl1@psu.edu
Ben McGraw, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Turfgrass Entomology 814-865-1138 • bam53@psu.edu
Andrew S. McNitt, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus of Soil Science 814-863-1368 • asm4@psu.edu
Max Schlossberg, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Turfgrass Nutrition / Soil Fertility 814-863-1015 • mjs38@psu.edu
Al J. Turgeon, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus of Turfgrass Management aturgeon@psu.edu
Kevin Driscoll Cell: 609-760-4099 | Office: 856-769-9555
KDriscoll@EastCoastSod.com
Highest Honor
In Matthew G. Shaffer PAGCS Awards to
true industry camaraderie and loyalty, well over 100 members and guests gathered from across the country to honor Matthew G. Shaffer, the 2024 recipient of the Eberhard Steiniger Award. This award is the highest honor a PAGCS member can receive, one given for lifetime achievement, and is presented to an individual in the turfgrass profession who exemplifies the spirit of Eberhard Steiniger, CGCS.
Matt is the 21st recipient in the Association’s 99-year history and joins a prestigious list with Rich Valentine, Drs. Duich and Watshcke, and his close friend Stan Zontek.
Eb Steiniger, who passed away in 2002, served as PAGCS president in 1966 and 1967. He dedicated his life to the game of golf by advancing the profession of the golf course superintendent. His innovative research, mentoring of future superintendents, and professional involvement locally and nationally have made him a legend in the profession. Eb was the longtime superintendent at Pine Valley before his retirement.
Those three words: research, mentoring, and involvement exemplify Matt.
Research: Matt was always on the cutting edge of trying to push the envelope for better conditions. His water management practices, introduction of fairway rolling, and disease management initiatives changed how many manage today. Years of research for Matt culminated in the 2013 US Open, where the winner was one over par despite a wet week.
Mentorship: There are over 30 former colleagues of Matt here today and there are probably 100 more out there in the industry in some capacity. Whether you worked for Matt as an Assistant or Intern, spent time with him at a major championship, or just conversed with him passing in the hallway, he was always mentoring the next generation of Superintendent.
Involvement: Matt was a long-time board member of PA Turfgrass Council, a member of the PAGCS board, always active on panels at the national conference, and always available for an interview to promote our profession. He never shied away from helping our industry. •
The Philadelphia Association of Golf Course Superintendents is a certified Affiliated Chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America
BE WISE WHEN YOU FERTILIZE!
Preventing fertilizer loss keeps your lawn healthy, saves you money, and protects our waterways.
It is important to properly assess your lawn’s nutrient needs prior to selecting and applying fertilizer.
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is working with homeowners and businesses to promote best practices and education opportunities to understand how to best meet our shared goals.
Find out more here:
Follow the 4Rs of Nutrient Management: Right Source, Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place.
Fertilizer Law
On July 11, 2022, Pennsylvania enacted a new fertilizer law that updated requirements for both manufacturers and applicators of fertilizer
label modifications turf nutrient limitations fee updates application restrictions
Who is a Fertilizer Applicator?
The term “applicator” refers to anyone who applies fertilizer, including: lawn care professionals, farmers, and homeowners.
Calibrate
Follow the directions on the fertilizer label and use a fertilizer spreader that is properly calibrated.
Know The Rate
Select a fertilizer that is appropriate for the lawn’s needs.
Phosphorus can’t be applied unless: establishing or repairing turf OR a soil test indicates a phosphorus deficiency.
Nitrogen is limited to:
• 0.7 pounds available N per 1000 ft2
• 0.9 pouns of total N per 1000 ft2
Whenever possible, choose an enhanced efficiency fertilizer to ensure nutrients are available when the lawn needs them.
Environmental Conditions
In order to reduce nutrient loss, applicators of fertilizer must follow these site restrictions.
• Do not apply near waters, storm drains, or drainage ditches
• Maintain a 15-foot buffer from waterways
• Do not apply if heavy rain is expected
• Do not apply if ground is snow-covered or frozen
• Apply product using a properly calibrated fertilizer spreader
• Apply only to intended application site
• Fertilizer that lands on an impervious surface (like roads, sidewalks, driveways) must be swept back onto turf
It is important to follow all label directions and safety precautions to protect yourself and your lawn.
STATE OF MATTERS:
Indicator Weeds
By Max Schlossberg, PhD
All original images and no more than zero artificial intelligence resources were utilized in preparation of this article.
While not a trained weed scientist, I take every opportunity to enrich my understanding of the integrated pest management (IPM) subdiscipline of turfgrass science. I’m also fortunate to teach two graduate level courses to agricultural and environmental plant science students here at Penn State. Thus, I’m a lucky benefactor of a veritable, ‘Cheesecake Factory-sized’ menu of current plant science field research every year. A significant fraction of which relates to Weed Science, largely via graduate students supervised by Drs. John Wallace, Carolyn Lowry, and Caio Brunharo.
Pennsylvania agronomic producers typically manage annual species like corn, soybean, and small grains. I’ve learned that within these production systems, weed management strategies focus keenly on reducing the weed seedbank. Such control strategies target specific weeds renowned for profuse seed production (and subsequent proliferation).
This was an intriguing revelation. Until now, my callow appreciation for a plant species’ success, or fitness, had hinged on its range-expanding ability; e.g., dispersion of the dandelion seed by wind (anemochory), or dispersion of sticky burs by animals (epizoochory). But, as it turns out, certain inherencies make row crop production more susceptible to weeds prioritizing prolific seed production and copious local distribution, rather than creative dispersive mechanism(s). These inherencies include annual field preparation and Spring planting.
Now a significant weed seedbank exists in nearly all soils. Yet, turfgrass managers steward perennial systems devoid of the annual, optimal-growing-condition window for its seedbank of wannabe upstarts. Thus, whether viable weed seeds in the resident seedbank germinate and actively encroach on the perennial turfgrass quite frankly depends on the appropriateness of the selected turfgrass species/cultivar and current culture and use.
Barnyardgrass in a bermudagrass home lawn.
Common chickweed in a creeping bentgrass fairway.
Pennywort, a.k.a. dollarweed, in an overseeded hybrid bermudagrass putting green.
Goosegrass in a hybrid bermudagrass putting green.
Nutsedge in a hybrid bermudagrass putting green.
Pearlwort in a creeping bentgrass putting green.
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Paddy rice production is a long-used analogy of my integrated pest management (IPM) talks that may prove useful here.
Every Fall, exceptional yields of rice are harvested from dryland fields across the south-central US. So, if rice is neither an aquatic plant nor classified as an obligate wetland species, then why do we associate rice with paddy production? Well, because when planted in a wetland or paddy, rice dependably outcompetes aquatic and other anoxia-tolerant plants while supporting respectable grain yield. Thus, in many places, it is IPM that justifies paddy production of rice.
Some common lawn-invading plants such as annual bluegrass, dandelion, and quackgrass (Fig. 1) are too tenacious and versatile of weed species to be associated with a single edaphic, cultural, or environmental advantage. But, just as rice has unique tolerance for anoxic soils, other plants express singular tolerance for other edaphic, cultural, or environmental stresses.
In fact, numerous plants are capable of proliferating in competition with maintained turfgrass under one or more edaphic, cultural, or environmental circumstance(s). These species are often curated into lists of indicator weeds. Proliferation of an indicator weed in your resident turfgrass may just be, as the band Spirit once sang, ‘...nature’s way of telling you...something’s wrong.’
On that same note, these curated lists are simply guides to help managers diagnose problems and devise strategies. Some indicator weeds, e.g. yellow nutsedge, are growth-stage specific. Nutsedge seedlings are well adapted to moist soils and included in Table 1 as a weed indicating excessive irrigation and/or soil water retention. However, once established, nutsedge demonstrates staunch drought resistance and quickly spreads by vigorous rhizomes. The lists provided as Tables 1 through 4 are not all-inclusive.
Table 1. Excessive, or supraoptimal
trafficking & compacted soil irrigation and/or soil water retention available soil N knotweed algae bermudagrass
prostate/spotted spurge barnyardgrass crabgrass bentgrass curly dock chickweed
goosegrass mallow
green kyllinga purslane nutsedge pearlwort pennywort
slender/path rush speedwell sphagnum moss
frequency height of cut
burdock chickweed
chicory crabgrass
dog fennel goosegrass
teasel pearlwort
wild carrot silvery-thread moss
irrigation and/or soil water retention sunlight or irradiance
black medic ground ivy
broomsedge Japanese stiltgrass
goosegrass nimblewill
prostate / spotted spurge poison ivy rough bluegrass
sandbur sphagnum moss
spotted knapweed violet
yellow wood sorrel
pH level N availability
bentgrass birdsfoot trefoil
carpetgrass clover
red sorrel black medic sphagnum moss plantain
Table 3. Suboptimal mowing
Table 4. Suboptimal soil
Table 2. Inadequate
Figure 1. Quackgrass encroachment of a cool season home lawn.
Weed scouting is a critical component of turfgrass IPM. Onsite personnel are ultimately responsible for proper identification of weed species, ideally not relying on a photo and one smartphone app. Experience should remind us that certain perennial weeds are more easily identified in certain seasons. For example, I scout my research Kentucky bluegrass area for rough and annual bluegrass before the first mow every Spring. Early Spring is also when I assess the extent of sphagnum moss proliferation in the shadiest parts of my home lawn.
Late Summer presents another window of opportunity. While systematic preemergent herbicide treatment most effectively limits Summer annual competition, late Summer is when those pesky perennial weeds present their reproductive parts and make identification easy.
If two or more RELATED indicator weed species are present at each site, then evaluate the microclimate, landscape position,
and sample the soil to a 6" depth. Considering recent weather conditions and/or irrigation applied, is the soil drier or wetter than you expected? Submit the soil for routine fertility analysis, being sure to select the proper turfgrass species or mixture.
Efforts to reverse the condition weed encroachment indicates are recommended, but not certain to control the weed. This is particularly true for perennial weed species. But if the edaphic, cultural, and/or environmental conflicts are dismissed in preference of herbicide treatment, then the weed problem is only controlled over the short run. Without meaningful sitework to reverse the resident limitations, the weeds will likely return. So, once you’ve obtained all results, follow soil test recommendations and rectify the conditions indicated by tree pruning/removal, drainage installation, introducing a new species/cultivar, and/or culture (e.g., adjusting height of cut, irrigation scheduling, etc.). •
Better Built. Quality Results. Period.
A
BLAST FROM THE PAST:
S Welcome Back Dr. Hayden Bock !
ince August of 2024, the Pennsylvania State University Department of Plant Science has had a new postdoctoral scholar; Dr. Hayden Bock. He looks a little older than the last time we saw him, which was in the late twenty-teens. Back then Hayden made for a memorable undergraduate student, participating in field research with numerous labs across the College of Agricultural Sciences. Hayden completed his BS in Plant Science (Agroecology option), earning Minor degrees in both Entomology and Agronomy, in May 2020.
Hayden then headed north from Happy Valley to pursue a doctorate in Entomology at Cornell University. Hayden’s thesis research evaluated insect ecology, specifically the effects of urbanization and greenspace management on soil mesofauna biodiversity and function. Again, Hayden proved enthusiastic and volunteered support for numerous related research activities.
Hayden’s research at Cornell investigated managed turfgrass systems to facilitate deeper understanding of the basic biology and ecology of soil invertebrates. A significant facet of this research utilized a gradient of urban parks across the Rochester (NY) metropolitan area to quantify the interplay of urbanization, soil, and socioeconomic forces in shaping the community structure and function of soil invertebrates in turfgrass lawns. Broadly, this project demonstrated that urbanization has a unique influence on soil food webs compared to aboveground communities.
Meanwhile, he followed up on prior Penn State undergraduate research to co-author two refereed papers in 2021; “Tree-induced alterations to soil properties and root-associated microorganisms following 23 years in a common garden.” By Yates, C., Guo, J., Bell, T.H., Fleishman, S., Bock, H., Trexler, R., Eissenstat, D. M., and Centinari, M. (Plant and Soil); and “Influence of cover crops on deep soil environment in Noiret vineyards.” By Fleishman, S., Bock, H., Eissenstat, D.M., and Centinari, M. (Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment).
Given the co-authors of published research he engaged as an undergraduate, you may not be too surprised to learn Hayden’s postdoctoral scholar appointment is in the Fleishman Root Lab. But the Turfgrass Team was pleasantly surprised when Hayden presented the biogeochemical implications of common turfgrass mowing practices as a critical research question he sought to address. Thus, with Dr. Jason Kaye, distinguished prof. of soil biogeochemistry, and Suzanne Fleishman, asst. prof. of root biology, I am excited to facilitate Hayden’s research examining mower height of cut and mowing frequency on rhizosphere dynamics and soil food web function.
In September, Dr. Bock submitted this research proposal to the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Education and Workforce Development (EWD) program project. The USDAAFRI Postdoctoral Fellowships Program Area Priority seeks to develop new scientists and professionals to enter research, education, and/or extension fields in support of the food and agricultural sciences within the private sector, government, or academia.
This priority area encourages multidisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and applied approaches that involve industry participation and/ or international experiences (e.g., through collaborating mentors) as appropriate. The aim of this fellowship program is to afford qualified applicants two-years of funding that cultivates future leaders who will go on to solve emerging agricultural challenges of the 21st century.
Hayden has proven to be an industrious researcher, as his field sampling protocol includes evaluating the fate of root-derived carbon across treatments using periodic pulses of 13C labeled CO2. Microbial biomass and soil taxa will be sampled for 13C analysis to infer the quantity of root-derived C in each across treatments. Due to the complex and specialized nature of analyzing such low-mass samples (< 5 μg), Hayden has already arranged to collaborate with Dr. Stefan Scheu at the University of Göttingen in Göttingen, Germany. The Scheu lab is a well-respected soil isotope ecology lab known for highly specialized isotope instrumentation (mass spectrometer with adjoining elemental analyzer) that is well suited to the low-mass sample analysis needs of this work.
Regardless of the USDA-AFRI postdoctoral fellowship proposal outcome, Dr. Bock will continue conducting this field research already initiated at the Valentine Turfgrass Research Center. Dr. Bock will also support the instructional mission here at PSU by overseeing laboratory sections of Plant Nutrition, Turfgrass Nutrition, and Soil Ecology.
Hayden’s research efforts seek to make discoveries that may quickly translate to actionable and impactful applications, while also contributing to our fundamental understanding of the natural world. To this end, the bulk of Hayden’s research has been community-driven, leveraging urban lawns, especially public parks, as ready-made arenas to peer into the agroecological interactions of turfgrasses and their functions.
In his future research endeavors, Hayden hopes to partner with municipalities and homeowners to study inter-phyla interactions in turfgrass systems and the ecological processes they facilitate. He sees his future research career driven by the central theme of understanding dynamics between soil fauna, microbes, and plants (turfgrass and “lawns” more broadly), and how those dynamics may shape the crops susceptibility to pest pressures. This research theme is especially timely given the need to understand belowground processes in urban systems in the face of global change to create resilient turfgrass systems.
These are truly unique and exciting objectives.
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Hayden Bock (hwb5138@psu.edu) back to Penn State University!!! •
Working Slower
By Neal Glatt, CSP, ASM
There are times when managers have no choice but to jump into the field and lend a helping hand to meet some pressing obligations. And while most managers bring a big boost of productivity in these times, I no longer personally contribute that way. My goal, when I have to perform a critical task outside my role, is to work slower, and it’s a strategy that more managers might want to copy.
The key reason why I work slower is because if I’m performing duties outside of my role it means something has gone wrong. Either we don’t have the manpower available (because we made them feel undervalued and quit) or the manpower available isn’t competent enough to perform the task (because we haven’t trained them well enough). Either way, the problem lies with us as managers.
So, I leverage the opportunity to be hands-on not to perform work as quickly as possible because I can, but rather to work slow and remedy those two workforce problems. I enter “training mode” where workers are protected from all the time pressure of the job, and we slowly demonstrate every step of every process. Work is frequently paused to explain the reasoning that tasks occur, and work is done in specific ways. And, when something is completed, we often undo the work so it can be redone without my involvement while I supervise and provide feedback.
The other benefit of slowing work down is that there is plenty of time to express appreciation for everything that employees are doing well. That may be as simple as being open and receptive to instructions or exercising care in delivering quality work. Whatever behavior is occurring that I would like to see replicated I affirm, compliment, and reinforce.
Working slowly is like saving money. In the moment, it requires discipline and doesn’t deliver immediate gratification. Something must be sacrificed in the short-term, but there are real benefits in the long-term. When I work slower, it’s usually only once or twice with an employee on any given task because they become empowered to run the show on their own after that point. It’s like earning compound interest.
The solution to not having enough time and people to complete all of the obligations is to slow down, not speed up. Taking this counterintuitive approach to dedicating resources and effort to training, especially when it feels like we can’t, is the way to empower organizations to break the vicious cycle of always playing catch up. •
Neal Glatt is the Managing Partner of GrowTheBench, an online training platform for the green industry. Connect with Neal at www.NealGlatt.com
