Jump to content
  • entries
    143
  • comments
    36
  • views
    774,592

About this blog

Recent podcast episodes can be found here >>>.

Entries in this blog

Why Not?

Maybe Spring will show up in much of the northern US states? Still, well before many are mowing north of the Mason-Dixon line, the annual bluegrass seedhead suppression discussion is underway; "What combination of products do you use?, What growing degree day (GDD) timing model do you look at?, Do you use phenological (plant) indicators?" All good questions but....   Why not use soil moisture?   In other parts of the world where chemical technology is more restricted and less available, you

Frank Rossi

Frank Rossi

Where you been?

I am fairly sure when I discussed my relationship with Peter for this year, I am confident he imagined I would contribute more than 1-2 entries per month in my "Frankly Speaking" section. Well here I am almost one-month from my last entry and if I were Peter, other than being frustrated with me, I'd be wondering where I've been.   Well here goes:   A few years ago I was asked by my department chair and senior faculty to assume the leadership of the Introduction to Horticulture class here at

Frank Rossi

Frank Rossi

What's in Your Wallet?

I am away from Cornell for the next five days in Tampa, FL at the Tri-Societies Meetings, i.e., Agronomy, Crops and Soils. This meeting will be attended by more than 5,000 scientists and professionals interested in the SCIENCE of crop production. You may wonder, what the hell are you doing at a meeting of Agronomists, aren't you in Horticulture?   I figure if I have a Ph.D., I have got to be a MAJOR turf geek!   Yes in NY, and when I was in WI, and many other states Turfgrass Science is i

Frank Rossi

Frank Rossi

What Then?

Methiozolin, currently trade named PoaCure, from Moghu Research Center in Korea could be a game changer. Doctor S.J. Koo, lead scientist and Cornell University Ph.D. may have in fact found a "cure" for annual bluegrass invasion. The question are we ready for this cure.   There is no question in my mind that it has the kind of selective herbicidal activity as both a preemergence and postemergence product to affect meaningful changes in populations on greens, tees and fairways. It appears to be

Frank Rossi

Frank Rossi

What Is Your Number?

I know no subject more disparate around the country than water management, especially of golf putting greens. In the desert southwest every drop is accounted for when water can consume up to $1 million annually. While in northern states water is applied gratuitously measured in minutes (not inches) with little regard for cost or precision. With the simple poke of the meter into the ground golf course superintendents now have a number. Recently the use of moisture meters such as Spectrums Fi

Frank Rossi

Frank Rossi

What Is Your Number?

I know no subject more disparate around the country than water management, especially of golf putting greens. In the desert southwest every drop is accounted for when water can consume up to $1 million annually. While in northern states water is applied gratuitously measured in minutes (not inches) with little regard for cost or precision. Recently the use of moisture meters such as Spectrum’s Field  Scout 300, provide an easy to use method for determining soil moisture and a defacto increase

Guest

Guest

What is GCSAA doing for golf in Washington? Find out here...

In this episode I speak frankly with Chava McKeel, Director of Government Relations, and Bob Helland, Director of Congressional and Federal Affairs from the GCSAA about what's going on in Washington DC that golf course superintendents should be aware of... from WOTUS to who will be the new POTUS.   Join the smartest people working for the golf business and responsible environmental policy. Progressive talk from leading thinkers in the turfgrass industry and always Speaking Frankly!   You can

Frank Rossi

Frank Rossi

Water is Gold

All I could think about was water. Everytime Ron Paul would speak about returning the US to the Gold Standard of backing our currency instead of using the full faith and credit of the US, all I could think about was water. Seems odd but if you think about how haphazardly we flood the US economy with printed money expecting some to be wasted, you might see how many golf courses use water. Not precisely and filled with waste. I would go as far as to say that if you were a good water manager thi

Frank Rossi

Frank Rossi

Water is Gold

All I could think about was water. Everytime Ron Paul would speak about returning the US to the “Gold Standard” of backing our currency instead of using “the full faith and credit of the US”, all I could think about was water. Seems odd but if you think about how haphazardly we flood the US economy with printed money expecting some to be wasted, you might see how many golf courses use water. Not precisely and filled with waste. All the rage about moisture meters has certainly changed the way m

Guest

Guest

Unintended Consequences

The pressure to produce flawlessly consistent playing conditions is stressful on biological organisms, i.e., plants and people. We seek any solution to enhance plant health when backed into a corner with weak turf, poor growing environments, stress from close mowing, etc. Sometimes these solutions help, other times they have unintended consequences.   All the rage this year about Bacterial Wilt/ Decline has me wondering about these unintended consequences when it comes to our obsession with pl

Frank Rossi

Frank Rossi

Unintended Consequences

The pressure to produce flawlessly consistent playing conditions is stressful on biological organisms, i.e., plants and people. We seek any solution to enhance plant health when “backed into a corner” with weak turf, poor growing environments, stress from close mowing, etc. Sometimes these solutions help, other times they have unintended consequences. All the rage this year about Bacterial Wilt/ Decline has me wondering about these unintended consequences when it comes to our obsession with pla

Guest

Guest

TurfNet RADIO: Water Challenges with Mike Huck

In this episode of Frankly Speaking on TurfNet RADIO I chat with Mike Huck, former USGA Agronomist now with Irrigation and Turfgrass Services of California, about the latest on efficient water management, the situaion CA golf courses are facing, and how water use will change in the next five years. Have a listen, or download the .mp3 for offline listening.  

Frank Rossi

Frank Rossi

TurfNet RADIO: Steve McDonald of Turfgrass Disease Solutions

In this episode, I speak frankly with Steve McDonald, owner/operator of Turfgrass Disease Solutions, Spring City, PA. Steve has a MS degree from the University of Maryland and has extensive training in turfgrass disease identification, extension, research and teaching in turfgrass science with an emphasis of turfgrass pest management.   Listen to lively banter about turf conditions this spring in the Mid-Atlantic, annual bluegrass weevil on bentgrass, disease management keys looking to the sum

Frank Rossi

Frank Rossi

TurfNet RADIO: Speaking Frankly with Paul MacCormack, the Mindful Superintendent

In this episode of Frankly Speaking, I chat with Paul MacCormack, superintendent/GM at Fox Meadow Golf & Country Club (Stratford, Prince Edward Island, Canada) and author of The Mindful Superintendent blog on TurfNet.com.  We speak frankly about facing grief and loss with kindness, taking time to recharge during the off-season, and wellness tips that take care of your best asset during the heat of the season - YOU!   Check Out Science Podcasts at Blog Talk Radio with TurfNet RADIO on Blo

Frank Rossi

Frank Rossi

TurfNet RADIO: Revisit with Dr. Micah Woods on MSLN

In this episode of Frankly Speaking on TurfNet RADIO, we are following up with Dr. Micah Woods of the Asian Turfgrass Center on the MLSN concept and new discussion about using growth potential as a means of scheduling nutrient management additions. An excellent review of a progressive approach to golf turf nutrient management!   Check it out below or download it here for offline listening on your favorite device.  

Frank Rossi

Frank Rossi

TurfNet RADIO: Norm Hummel on green firmness and other "soil" issues

In this episode of Frankly Speaking, I chat with my old buddy Norm Hummel, Ph.D., recently semi-retired after selling his soil physical testing lab to Turf and Soil Diagnostics.  Norm and I chat about what superintendents can do "from the bottom up" to manage putting surface firmness given the new tools available to put actual numbers to firmness and moisture levels.   Norm gives guidance regarding "knowing what you're putting down" when topdressing, layering different texture sands on one ano

Frank Rossi

Frank Rossi

TurfNet RADIO: Jim Wagner of Hanse Golf Design

In this episode of Frankly Speaking, Frank speaks with Jim Wagner, Vice President and Design Partner with Hanse Golf Design in Malvern, PA. Having met during the design phase of the Rio 2016 Olympic golf course, Frank and Jim discuss the recent US Open at Chambers Bay and creativity in modern design. Creativity in designing a course challenges and rewards a creative golfer and when done properly minimizes maintenance moving toward a sustainable approach to golf and golf turf maintenance.    

Frank Rossi

Frank Rossi

TurfNet RADIO: Frankly Speaking with Dr. Kevin Frank on Winter Issues

The State of Michigan was among the hardest hit by the severe winter weather of 2013-2014. Dr. Kevin Frank of Michigan State University led the charge of turfgrass recovery and PR outreach to the golfing community.   In this episode of Frankly Speaking, Kevin chats with me about what we learned from last winter and how we can use that knowledge to better combat this type of damage in the future.  

Frank Rossi

Frank Rossi

TurfNet RADIO: Dr. Paul Koch on winter disease and fungicide persistence

In the latest episode of Frankly Speaking on TurfNet RADIO, I spoke with Dr. Paul Koch, plant pathologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, about the impact of climate on winter disease pressure and fungicide persistence, as well as the latest in traditional, alternative and cultural controls for the snow molds.   You can download the podcast here to listen on your mobile device.  

Frank Rossi

Frank Rossi

TurfNet RADIO: Dr. Doug Soldat questions old notions of turf nutrition

In this second episode of Frankly Speaking on TurfNet RADIO, Dr. Doug Soldat of the University of Wisconsin-Madison talks about some surprising research into long-standing notions about turf nutrition - notably that late-season shot of nitrogen, and where it does and doesn't wind up.    He also calls into question the practice of boosting potassium fertility at the end of the season to "promote plant hardiness" - where in reality it might best be applied early- and mid-season to combat basal r

Frank Rossi

Frank Rossi

TurfNet RADIO: Dr. David Huff, Penn State Poa breeder

In this episode we are Frankly Speaking with David Huff, Professor of Turfgrass Genetics at Penn State University and the foremost authority today on the genetics, breeding potential and management of Poa annua as a greens-type turf.   Dave published an excellent article in the May/June 2015 issue of Greenmaster (the official publication of the Canadian Golf Course Supts.) on managing annual bluegrass with ecology and evolution in mind. Professor Huff outlined a mindset to managing Poa annua t

Frank Rossi

Frank Rossi

TurfNet RADIO: Dave Oatis of the USGA Green Section

In this episode of Frankly Speaking, I chat with Dave Oatis, director of the Northeast Region of the USGA Green Section, about winter injury, waking the course up in the Spring, and Dave's favorite topic: Golf Course Tree Management Programs.  Check it out below, or download it here for listening offline.   Check Out Science Podcasts at Blog Talk Radio with TurfNet RADIO on BlogTalkRadio

Frank Rossi

Frank Rossi

TurfNet RADIO: Chat with Greg Wojick, about the Playbooks for Golf Coverage System

Check out this TurfNet Radio episode where I chat with Greg Wojick, former superintendent and founder of Playbooks for Golf. Greg and I talk about the new Coverage System from Playbooks. The Coverage System is the latest hand-held technology for the golf course superintendent, tracking fertilizer and pesticide use in a unique app format.  It even alerts you when the product efficacy window starts to close!   Presented by DryJect and TrueSurface.   Check Out Science Podcasts at Blog Talk Ra

Frank Rossi

Frank Rossi

TurfNet RADIO: Anthony Williams, CGCS, on walking the walk of environmental stewardship

In this episode of Frankly Speaking, I chat with Anthony L. Williams, CGCS, CGM, Director of Grounds for Stone Mountain Golf Club and the Evergreen Marriott Conference Resort in Stone Mountain, Georgia.   Anthony is the author of The Environmental Stewardship Toolkit, an excellent handbook for golf course superintendents interested in a practical approach to environmental stewardship. Anthony was also the 2009 TurfNet Superintendent of the Year! Buckle up for a full throttle discussion about w

Frank Rossi

Frank Rossi


×
×
  • Create New...