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

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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 insights.

https://journals.ashs.org/view/journals/hortsci/46/8/article-p1202.xml?rskey=SDm3zj&print

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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 evapotranspiration. The authors monitored water use and turf coverage throughout the growing season to assess drought resilience.

My commentary covers the key findings from the research, including why Mallard outperformed Geronimo under water-limited conditions, how irrigation volume influenced turf coverage more than irrigation frequency, and why soil texture had relatively minor effects on water use. I also discuss the strengths and limitations of the study design and its relevance to real-world turfgrass management.

If you're interested in sustainable lawn care, water conservation, or evidence-based turfgrass science, this discussion is for you. Subscribe for more commentary and analysis grounded in peer-reviewed research.

👍 If you care about sustainable turfgrass care, joining the lawn‑maintenance conversation, or translating research into real‑world insights—this commentary is for you!

🔔 Subscribe for more science-based commentary—from agronomy insights to environmental sustainability.

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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 findings: Twice-weekly “deep” watering yielded the highest visual quality. Dwarf cultivars and shorter mowing height boosted turf quality early, but overwatering and mowing short favored shallow roots and weed growth

Go for deep, twice-weekly irrigation at ~80 % ET₀ rather than frequent shallow watering.

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Diagnostic Criteria for Turfgrass Bullshit Disorder:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y_GeVPQ237pzm0ImTP4eVij6I9D0PHPn/view

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 high-potassium, zero-nitrogen mix really benefit warm-season grasses in mid-summer? I'll cite recent studies and best management practices.

Pros and Cons: Where the video gets it right—e.g., advocating for balanced nutrition and turf health—and where it simplifies or overlooks key science, such as soil testing, nutrient ratios, and seasonal timing.

Practical Advice: My take on when and how to actually use 7‑0‑20—or not—and what lawn owners should do instead for optimal summer grass care.

🌱 Who it’s for:

Lawn care enthusiasts and DIY gardeners

Turf professionals looking to apply evidence-based fertilizer practices

Anyone curious about the deeper science behind popular lawn-care products

Drop a comment below: Do you use high-K fertilizers in summer? Why or why not?

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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 video’s for you.

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Diagnostic Criteria for Turfgrass Bullshit Disorder:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y_GeVPQ237pzm0ImTP4eVij6I9D0PHPn/view

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.

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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. The big takeaway? Applying more than 100% didn’t help, and drought-resistant cultivars didn’t show any special advantage during establishment.

In this video, we discuss:

    💧 Why 100% ETo is the sweet spot for seeded lawn irrigation.

    🌱 Why drought resistance in mature turf doesn't translate to faster establishment.

    📉 How less water can slow you down but not necessarily fail you.

    🧠 What this means for homeowners and professionals trying to balance establishment with water conservation.

📄 Paper discussed: Sandor et al. (2021), Irrigation requirements for establishing seeded tall fescue and bermudagrass cultivars in the transition zone

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Diagnostic Criteria for Turfgrass Bullshit Disorder:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y_GeVPQ237pzm0ImTP4eVij6I9D0PHPn/view

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 height can influence your watering schedule. Should you mow higher? Should you convert to tall fescue? This video gives you practical, science-backed guidance on how to choose and manage turfgrasses for water conservation.

📄 Paper discussed: Blankenship et al. (2020), Water Requirements Influenced by Turfgrass Species and Mowing Height in Western Oregon

💧 Learn how this research can help you irrigate less without sacrificing turf quality.

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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 community that makes Turfgrass Epistemology what it is.

Let’s talk turf, tackle misinformation, and maybe share a few facepalms along the way.

🧪 Science, skepticism, and sarcasm—it’s all here.

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Diagnostic Criteria for Turfgrass Bullshit Disorder:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y_GeVPQ237pzm0ImTP4eVij6I9D0PHPn/view