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Green School Turf Management Track

Turf is a major component of our collective landscape, and properly maintained turf provides many functional, recreational, and ornamental benefits. The goal of each responsible turfgrass practitioner should be to produce surfaces that meet functional and aesthetic expectations while at the same time minimizing the impact of management practices on human health, natural resources, and the greater environment.  Furthermore, whether the setting is residential, municipal or commercial these goals must be accomplished with a keen eye to efficiency and economic viability.  Green School's Turf Management Track seeks to address these concerns and also to convey a strong framework of research-based management fundamentals. This track is appropriate for professionals including landscapers, lawn care personnel, municipal and private groundskeepers and others wishing to receive fundamental, in depth-training on the care of turf in the landscape.

For registration instructions and general program information, go to the Green School main page.

For a more in-depth and intensive, 110+ hour, turf management-focused certificate program, take a look at our annual Winter School for Turf Managers

Turf Management Schedule/Curriculum

Daily Schedule: Green School in 2022 will be held virtually on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons - see the schedule below. Having a computer or other device with reliable internet is a must to take this course. 

NOTE: The dates below are from 2022 and are presented here as an example. Check back in June 2024 for the updated schedule for the next class. The times in the schedule are in Eastern Standard Time.

October 11 and October 20 - You will need to attend ONE of these orientation sessions.

4:00-5:30 pm Live via Zoom Orientation and Technical Check-In
Technical troubleshooting plus a course overview including general operating procedures, note taking, preparing for exams, credit for certification programs and Mass. pesticide license, instructor evaluations and certificate requirements.
Tuesday, October 25, 2022
1:00-4:30 PM Live class via Zoom

Plant Form and Function
Mary Owen, UMass Extension (Retired)
Learning how plants are put together, how they grow, and how they respond to their environment can help practitioners understand the cultural requirements of landscape plants, be helpful in avoiding problems relating to plant health, and aid in the diagnosis of plant health issues.

Wednesday, October 26, 2022
1:00-2:30 PM Live class via Zoom

Plant Form and Function (continued)
Mary Owen, UMass Extension (Retired)
Learning how plants are put together, how they grow, and how they respond to their environment can help practitioners understand the cultural requirements of landscape plants, be helpful in avoiding problems relating to plant health, and aid in the diagnosis of plant health issues.

3:00-4:30 PM Live class via Zoom

Basic Principles of IPM and PHC
Tawny Simisky, UMass Extension
The principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) form the foundation for understanding and implementing wise management strategies for pests. IPM management techniques assist in reducing pest populations while protecting beneficial organisms and utilize best management practices that are least harmful to humans and the environment. This often includes reducing dependence on chemical pesticides. Plant Health Care (PHC) employs many of the aspects of IPM and is tailored for the Green Industry.

Thursday, October 27, 2022
1:00-4:30 PM Live class via Zoom Soils Basics
Deborah Henson, UMass Department of Environmental Conservation
Understanding basic physical and chemical properties of soils and how proper management can improve soil health for better plant growth.
Tuesday, November 1, 2022
1:00-4:30 PM Live class via Zoom

Turfgrasses: Adaptation, Morphology, Management, and Performance
Jason Lanier UMass Extension
This introductory class will outline the space that turfgrasses occupy both ecologically and societally, as well as explore the unique form and function of turfgrass plants.  In-depth discussion on how environment, user expectations, management, and performance intersect will be featured.

Wednesday, November 2, 2022
1:00-4:30 PM Live class via Zoom Turfgrass Selection
Jason Lanier, UMass Extension
The turfgrasses themselves are a primary tool for meeting expectations, therefore selection decisions are among the most important that a turf manager makes. Characteristics of turfgrass species and cultivars along with criteria for selection of grasses for specific uses, growing environments, and management levels will be addressed.
Thursday, November 3, 2022
1:00-4:30 PM Live class via Zoom

Basic Entomology
Tawny Simisky, UMass Extension
An overview of the characteristics that define insects from their close relatives, identification of the major orders of insects common to the Northeast, and life strategies common to these groups. Also a brief look at identifying larval (immature) insects and their development as driven by temperature. Basic entomology will set the stage for the common insect pests encountered by the Green Industry, while reminding us that the majority of insects are not pests.

Tuesday, November 8, 2022
1:00-4:30 PM Live class via Zoom

Basic Plant Pathology
Angela Madeiras, UMass Extension
A discussion of the microbiology of plant disease-causing bacteria and fungi along with references to a few of the many beneficial microbes. Also, a description of the conditions necessary for disease infection and an overview of infectious disease management strategies.

Wednesday, November 9, 2022
1:00-4:30 PM Live class via Zoom

Turfgrass Nutrition and Developing a Fertility Program for Turf
Mary Owen, UMass Extension (Retired)
The fundamentals of turfgrass nutrition and the role of nutrients in turf management. Develop an understanding of macro- and micro-nutrients, how they are absorbed/utilized by turfgrass. Discussion will focus on the variables in a fertility program – rate, timing, frequency, and fertilizer characteristics – and how they can be used to develop an effective program for particular uses and settings. Organic fertility programs will be included.

Thursday, November 10, 2022
1:00-4:30 PM Live class via Zoom

Diseases of Turfgrasses
Angela Madeiras, UMass Extension
The biology and identification of the common turf diseases; management strategies stressing Best Management Practices (BMP) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM); low-input lawns and ecological landscaping as these pertain to disease management; biorational and biological disease control materials.

Tuesday, November 15, 2022
1:00-4:30 PM Live class via Zoom

Pesticide Licensing and Regulations
Taryn LaScola-Miner, MA Dept. of Agricultural Resources
A look at pesticide regulations, particularly in context for Massachusetts, and a review of Massachusetts pesticide applicator licensing and the process of applying for and maintaining your license. 

Pesticide Label Review and Pesticide Safety
Natalia Clifton, UMass Extension
Review of the different components of a pesticide label with a focus on the selection of personal protective equipment.

Wednesday, November 16, 2022
1:00-4:30 PM Live class via Zoom Turf Establishment
Jason Lanier, UMass Extension
The goal of any establishment project is to produce dense, deeply rooted, functional turf that will provide rapid cover and develop to maturity as quickly as possible.  This class will outline factors essential for successful establishment of turf including site preparation, seed and sod considerations, installation and post-planting care.
Thursday, November 17, 2022
1:00-4:30 PM Live class via Zoom Turfgrass Nutrition and Developing a Fertility Program for Turf (continued)
Mary Owen, UMass Extension (Retired)
Continued from 11/9. The fundamentals of turfgrass nutrition and the role of nutrients in turf management. Develop an understanding of macro- and micro-nutrients, how they are absorbed/utilized by turfgrass. Discussion will focus on the variables in a fertility program – rate, timing, frequency, and fertilizer characteristics – and how they can be used to develop an effective program for particular uses and settings. Organic fertility programs will be included.
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
1:00-4:30 PM Live class via Zoom

Principles of Weed Science
Randy Prostak, UMass Extension
General principles of weed science, weed management, and weed identification strategies.

Tuesday, November 29, 2022
1:00-4:30 PM Live class via Zoom

Turf Weed Management
Randy Prostak, UMass Extension
Control strategies for turf weeds including prevention, cultural practices, non-chemical/organic methods and herbicides.

Wednesday, November 30, 2022
1:00-4:30 PM Live class via Zoom Turf Cultural Practices I
Jason Lanier, UMass Extension
Cultural practices are the foundation of an integrated management system and are crucial to the successful implementation of sustainable, low input management.  The fundamentals of mowing, cultivation, and topdressing will be covered, as well as specific approaches for the management of common stress factors such as shade and traffic.
Thursday, December 1, 2022
1:00-4:30 PM Live class via Zoom Turf Cultural Practices II
Jason Lanier, UMass Extension
Continued from November 30.
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
1:00-4:30 PM Live class via Zoom Topic TBD
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
1:00-4:30 PM Live class via Zoom

Biology and Ecology of Turf Insects
Olga Kostromytska, UMass Stockbridge School of Agriculture
Biology and identification of turfgrass damaging insects; integrated pest management, including setting tolerance levels; current status of biological control strategies; and ways to minimize reliance on insecticides.

Thursday, December 8, 2022
1:00-4:30 PM Live class via Zoom Turf and Trees 
Melissa Levangie, Shelter Tree Care
Turf maintenance crosses paths with trees perhaps more often than any other plant system. This session will cover interactions between trees and turf, tree care basics for the turf manager, and other important topics including safety and knowing when to consult with a professional arborist.
Tuesday, December 13, 2022
1:00-4:30 PM Live class via Zoom

Turf Water Relations & Water Management
Jason Lanier, UMass Extension

Water is among our most precious natural resources, and water supplies available for the irrigation of turf are increasingly limited.  This session will cover water relations both within the turfgrass plant and within the turf system, as well as management strategies designed to conserve water and protect water quality.

Wednesday, December 14, 2022
1:00-4:30 PM Live class via Zoom Turf Management and the Environment
Jason Lanier, UMass Extension
With informed, attentive, and responsible management, turf areas can be a highly beneficial component of the world in which we all live.  In the absence of these tenets, management of turf areas can contribute to negative impacts on the environment and human health.  This session will tie in current research-based understanding with information learned throughout the course to emphasize managing turf as an enhancement to our environment in a systemic and deliberate manner.
Thursday, December 15, 2022
1:00-2:30 PM Live class via Zoom

Bee-ing More Aware About Pesticide Use
Kim Skyrm, MA Dept. of Agricultural Resources
Interest and activity in urban beekeeping has increased dramatically over the past decade with more honey bee hives managed in Massachusetts than ever before. As responsible applicators, land managers, and stewards of the environment, it is important to broaden your awareness about beekeeping and honey bee health. We’ll learn the latest updates on local and national trends in honey bee health, beekeeping in the Commonwealth, and review steps applicators can take to reduce unintended negative impacts. 

3:00-4:30 PM Live class via Zoom

Deer Ticks: One Bite Can Change Your Life
Larry Dapsis, Cape Cod Cooperative Extension

Lyme Disease is the most prevalent infectious disease in Massachusetts and is now considered to be a public health crisis. In addition to Lyme, deer ticks can carry the pathogens which cause Babesiosis, Anaplasmosis, Relapsing Fever and Powassan virus, all of which can be very serious. This program will review the basic life cycle and ecology of deer ticks, incidence rates and distribution of tick-borne illnesses in addition to a database under development on infection rates of ticks. A three point protection plan will be presented:  Protect Yourself, Protect Your Yard and Protect your Pet. Tick-Borne Diseases are preventable.

For registration instructions and general program information, go to the Green School main page.