Blog

Many researchers and growers rely on weather data. Why aren't the temperature values available from the Guelh Turfgrass weather station?

Rust is a common disease of turf in home lawns, and perennial ryegrass is especially susceptible. Learn more about the disease and how to manage it. 

It’s that time of year again!

Just last week we received a sample at the GTI Diagnostic clinic which was requested to be tested for signs of pathogens.  The sample came back negative, and so our diagnostician decided to run a nematode count in search of more answers.

It is no secret that there has been a significant decline in enrollment for turf programs the world over.  Many of the bigger more influential institutions throughout the US have been sharing their concerns regarding the downward trend of interest in turf from younger generations. Hiring managers in the turf industry know this phenomenon all too well.  Over the last 5 years, it has become increasingly difficult to attract seasonal workers, turf interns as well as post-grad turf students to fill middle management roles.

The current crisis associated with COVID-19 has quickly evolved from an isolated case of pneumonia with unknown origins in Wuhan, China on December 31^st, 2019 to a global pandemic in less than 2 months.  We are only now just getting a fresh taste of what life may be like for the foreseeable future - a life of social isolation, quarantine and uncertain financial and economic stability.  

Frequently trafficked areas of sports fields can be a serious challenge to manage throughout the playing season.  Competition for use between leagues, balancing games and practices in addition to other undocumented recreational uses can leave the turf with little to no recovery time.  In other words, from the moment the first foot hits the field in spring, it is a losing battle.

I have had my eye on volunteering in the Canadian Open for some time.  It is our national Championship, and an event that I have always found time and reason to watch from start to finish.  Throughout my career I have been fortunate enough to work a number of other events in the US (The Deutsche Bank, The Players Championship, several US Open Qualifiers, The CVS Charity Classic, The US Women's Amateur etc...) but I have never had the chance to work the Canadian Open.  Upon reflecting of my past experiences this spring, I realized it has been some time since I have felt the grind of a PGA ev

Please Walk on the Grass

Apologies for the delayed update on the grow-in and essentially the completion of phase 1 of the GTI.  There have been many new projects and initiatives created this year and keeping up with them has been a challenge.  Having said that, I am confident that the Guelph Turfgrass Institute is firing on all cylinders and is engaging with the public and turfgrass industry more now than it has in a long time.  All good things - so stay tuned for a blog post highlighting all the programs and outreach initiatives we have been involved with this season.