Growing and maintaining turf during a sweltering West Texas summer will be in the spotlight July 7 and July 9 when the Texas Tech University Department of Plant and Soil Science hosts a program for professionals and homeowners that will show them the best methods to maintaining healthy lawns and landscapes.

On Saturday (July 7), a Homeowner Landscape Field Day will be held for non-professionals. Registration for the free, half-day, come-and-go event at the corner of Second Street and Quaker Avenue runs from 8 a.m. to noon at the Quaker Research Farm.

"The focus of this homeowner field day will be the general public who would like to gain a better understanding of how to properly manage their landscape to provide aesthetics with less water," said Joey Young, an assistant professor with the Department of Plant and Soil Science in the College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources.

Among the topics and demonstrations scheduled for review are:
• Attracting pollinators
• Drought tolerant landscape plants
• Fertility practices
• Growing your own vegetables
• Irrigation technology
• Turf water usage

On Monday (July 9), a Professional Turfgrass Management Field Day will be held at the Texas Tech Quaker Research Farm. Registration for the half-day program will begin at 7:30 a.m., and the program will run until noon. The program is free and a lunch will be provided for participants.

"We will be providing information to improve the sustainability of managing turfgrass for use on golf courses, athletic fields and commercial landscapes," Young said. The turfgrass field day typically draws green industry professionals such as landscapers, athletic field managers and golf course superintendents, he said.

Among the topics scheduled for review are:
• Drones and moisture stress
• Recovery from jackrabbit damage
• Soil impacts irrigation requirements
• Water retention with surfactants
• Water use of turf species

Both events have been developed and provided by Texas Tech's Department of Plant and Soil Science.

CONTACT: Joey Young, Assistant Professor, Department of Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University at (601) 695-1331 or joey.young@ttu.edu or Reagan Anders, Unit Manager - Quaker Research Farm Manager, Texas Tech University at (806) 767-9357 or reagan.k.anders@ttu.edu

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