This week, the EarthWorks Podcast comes to you from the 13th hole at Shackamaxon Country Club, a classic 1916 A.W. Tillinghast design in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. Our guest, Superintendent Jack Meyer, shares the story of his four year journey improving course conditions and elevating player experience at this high traffic, historic course.

Jack’s conversation is filled with practical insights, from his path to becoming superintendent to his recount of a devastating flood and the two-month recovery effort that followed. It is a must-listen for any turf manager looking to learn from real world challenges and successes in the field.

This episode with Logan Freeman, Golf Course Superintendent at Mountain Branch Golf Club (Joppatowne, MD), dives into how Biological Soil Management can reshape turf performance and simplify management. When poor soils and turf stress were constant challenges, adopting carbon-based fertility and a soil-first approach changed everything.

Over time, improved soil structure, faster recovery, and reduced inputs led to stronger turf and greater consistency. The conversation also explores how these same principles apply to high-traffic, high-stress environments — proving that building biology delivers long-term results.

In this episode, we’re joined once again by our friend and turf industry legend, Dave Wilber, to explore one of the most critical and often misunderstood aspects of turfgrass management: water. Dave shares his experiences from years of working with superintendents around the world, discussing how water management decisions can influence the course of a career. He offers thoughtful insight into teaching young turf managers how to water effectively and breaks down the causes of localized dry spots (LDS).

The conversation also dives into emerging soil moisture technology like TurfRad, which is providing new data and revealing hidden irrigation issues that aren’t always obvious to the eye. As always, Dave brings a wealth of knowledge, humor, and perspective, making this episode both educational and entertaining for every turf professional.

In this week’s EarthWorks Podcast, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Grant McKnight, President & CEO of DuraEdge, and Eric Blanton, Western Region Manager for both DuraEdge and 4Most Sport Group. We explored the story behind DuraEdge—how Grant’s early work in mining and aggregates eventually led to the creation of specialized root zone materials for golf courses, and how that expertise evolved into serving the sports turf industry at the highest level.

One of the highlights of our conversation was their new product, Fusion, a rootzone material that could transform not just sports fields, but the turfgrass industry as a whole. Beyond product development, we talked about the science-driven approach that DuraEdge takes to solving real problems in the field—helping turf managers, superintendents, and facility operators achieve consistent, high-performance results.

Whether you’re a sports turf professional, a golf course superintendent, or just passionate about the science of soil and turf, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

For almost four decades, EarthWorks has championed Biological Soil Management—long before carbon-based fertility became the industry norm. By creating soil conditions where microbes thrive, turf managers unlock better nutrient cycling, stronger recovery, and sustainable turf health. This episode shares the evolution of this practice and how thousands of turf managers have put it into play through the EarthWorks Academy. If you haven’t experienced it yet, ask your distributor to bring the Academy to your team this winter.

This week’s EarthWorks podcast is all about plant healthcare. Our go-to tree expert, Bobby Solar, joins us to share real-world results fighting bacterial leaf scorch, hemlock scale, and adelgid. He highlights innovative ways EarthWorks products can be used to strengthen and protect trees.

In this episode, Kevin Hicks sits down with Doug Kieffer of Spectrum Technologies to explore the tools reshaping turf management. Doug shares his unconventional journey from aerospace engineering to agronomy, including his years volunteering in Uganda, and how those experiences ultimately led him to his role as product training specialist at Spectrum.

The conversation dives into the evolution of Spectrum Technologies, from its early days repurposing soil kits to developing innovative products like the TDR soil moisture probes. Kevin and Doug discuss how TDR technology has transformed turf management by giving superintendents accurate, numeric readings that replace guesswork. They also cover calibration best practices, sensor maintenance, and how tools like firmness meters, chlorophyll meters, and disease modeling systems are changing turf care.

Packed with technical insights and real-world stories, this episode highlights how measurement tools are helping turf professionals improve consistency, efficiency, and decision-making on golf courses, sports fields, and beyond.

For 35 years, EarthWorks agronomists have asked turf managers: What’s the most important nutrient in turf management? The answer is oxygen. Without oxygen in the soil, beneficial microorganisms can’t thrive—and healthy soil biology is the foundation of strong turf.

The challenge has always been delivering oxygen effectively. That’s where Rainmaker.Earth comes in. Their in-line irrigation system uses UV light, ozone, and hydrogen peroxide to create highly oxidized water that’s “wetter,” penetrates deeper, improves soil flocculation, and boosts biological activity.

At EarthWorks, we know oxygen drives stronger soil biology and healthier turf. The Rainmaker system aligns perfectly with our Biological Soil Management approach—making it one of the most exciting turf innovations we’ve seen in years.

The concept of Food as Medicine has been central to Biological Soil Management, drawing a clear connection between human health and turf health. Just as proper nutrition helps our bodies build natural immunity and resist disease, balanced fertility programs help turf recover from stress, develop stronger roots, and support healthy soil biology.

In this episode, we revisit one of Jerry’s lectures given over a decade ago in Australia, where he discusses the importance of nutrition for long-term health. While his focus here is on human health, he often highlights the parallels to plant health and the role of nutrition in building resilience.

At EarthWorks, this philosophy continues to guide our fertility approach, with natural products like Replenish fertilizers and CalVantage designed to build healthy soils and stronger turf.

In this special dual podcast, Kevin Hicks and Brent Downs, CGCS MG, dive into their journeys in golf course management, career transitions, and a current course renovation project. They also explore woodworking as a creative outlet beyond the turf, sharing stories of tools, safety lessons, and the value of mentorship throughout their careers.

Hear insights from two voices in the golf industry as they discuss turf management, superintendent life, and the connections that shape their work. Featured on both the EarthWorks Podcast and The Low Downs.

Grass can take more! This week's guest, Gage Knudson, keeps the turf at BMO Stadium — home of LAFC — in top form all year long. Right now, he’s juggling concerts in the middle of soccer season, plus on-field video shoots, because in Hollywood the action never stops. Hear how Gage and his crew execute a precise agronomic plan to keep the field in premier condition, no matter what’s on the calendar.

This week, we welcome back Tyler Bloom of Bloom Golf Partners, an executive search and business consulting firm. Tyler began his career as a golf course superintendent, managing turf across several courses in the mid-Atlantic. Five years ago, he launched his company to help golf course managers improve recruitment strategies. Since then, Bloom Golf Partners has grown rapidly, expanding its focus beyond staffing to include broader business consulting services.

In this episode, we dive into a recent project Tyler developed with Pat Jones from Flagstick LLC—the Golf Course Superintendent Employment Trends Study: Assistant Superintendents. This must-read report is available for free at www.bloomgolfpartners.com.

... assistant superintendents rated soft skills—leadership, communication, and business knowledge—as four times more important than agronomic expertise.

We spend time exploring the survey’s findings, particularly the generational differences in work habits and values. One standout insight: assistant superintendents rated soft skills—leadership, communication, and business knowledge—as four times more important than agronomic expertise. The study also highlights ongoing concerns around work and life balance, long hours, anxiety, and low compensation as key barriers to employee retention.

Ultimately, the conversation reinforces the need for leadership and communication training as essential tools for superintendents who want to build strong, loyal teams. The survey found that 60% of assistant superintendents are fully committed to making this their long-term career.

Back by popular demand, we welcome Lawrence Mayhew—chemist and humic substance specialist—to talk about the biology of thatch. Thatch is the result of an imbalance in the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio within the soil profile, often caused by the overuse of synthetic nitrogen. It can restrict air and water movement through the turf, fails to provide a usable carbon food source for microbes, and does not support a strong playing surface.

Lawrence begins our conversation with a review of what constitutes a good humic acid and why these substances are so important. However, the core focus of this podcast is the biology of thatch in turf systems and how we can biologically digest long-chained, ligneous carbon material into a usable carbon form known as humus.

He breaks down the three stages of thatch—the green, brown, and dark carbon layers commonly found in turf systems. The dark carbon layer is the most beneficial and can only be achieved through microbial digestion and the production of specific enzymes critical to this process.

As always, it’s a fascinating discussion packed with valuable information for anyone growing grass or cultivating any horticultural product. The chemistry, physics, and biology behind thatch digestion are complex, but with the right biological system in place, the turf industry is witnessing a shift away from mechanical aerification toward a natural process. The result: a healthier environment and a significantly easier life for turf managers.

Louis Pitcock, Director of Golf Operations at Avalon Golf Club (Cape May Court House, NJ), joins us on the podcast to share innovative strategies for managing the demands of 300-round days during an endless summer. How does he keep both the turf and crew performing at a high level? His unique approach offers several insights you won’t want to miss.

Joel Simmons and Jack Higgins catch up with our friend—and returning EarthWorks Podcast guest—Walter Pritchett, Superintendent at Hurstbourne Country Club in Louisville, Kentucky. Walter recently hosted the ISCO Championship at his course, where Jack had the chance to volunteer. In this episode, Walter shares insights on the prep, the pressure, and the payoff of managing his first PGA tournament.

If you're not familiar with Hurstbourne CC, it's one of Louisville’s hidden gems—steeped in history and known for its exceptional design. Walter discusses what it took to get the course championship-ready and credits Biological Soil Management and EarthWorks products as key to a smooth and successful week.

One player summed it up best: “I thought we were coming to play an off-week tournament in Kentucky—but it felt like a U.S. Open!” With 5-inch rough and small, firm greens, the course demanded precision and finesse. The tournament ended in dramatic fashion with a first-time champion firing a Sunday 61 to win by a stroke.

This episode is full of agronomic insight, tournament prep tips, and great turf talk—don’t miss it! A great conversation with a lot of agronomic and tournament prep ideas great fun for any turf manager.

Herons Glen Golf & Country Club, located in the Fort Myers area of Florida, is a high-traffic public facility with over 55,000 rounds of golf played annually. That alone is a big responsibility for any golf course superintendent—but add in 1,300 homes around the property, all of which rely on the course's irrigation system, and the job becomes even more complex. That’s the daily reality for Tim Kortanek.

We met Tim last year at a Soil First Academy event at John Reilly’s property on Longboat Key. Since then, he’s become a strong advocate for biological soil management. His results speak volumes: a significant reduction in ligneous organic matter buildup, fewer aerifications needed, and organic matter that now works for him—not against him. On a course with his level of play, eliminating even a few closures for aerification is a major win.

Tim also reports a noticeable drop in nematode damage and significantly lower nematode counts since he began feeding his soil. Like any successful superintendent, Tim has fostered a strong team culture. He recently secured additional budget for a renovation project that included upgraded drainage and irrigation. He also persuaded management to hire retirees as part-time morning crew—offering free golf as an incentive.

This interview is full of valuable insights that any turf manager can learn from.

If you're looking to learn a methodical, consistent—and surprisingly peaceful—approach to turf management, this episode is for you. Dave Wood gets the job done with a smile, and his turf and landscape management program at Stockton University has earned international recognition. After hosting Brazil’s CR Flamengo—one of the world’s most popular sports franchises—Stockton is now a sought-after training base for the 2026 World Cup in North America.

You'll enjoy meeting Dave and hearing the key tips and insights he shares on growing cool-season turf, warm-season turf and flowers.

In this episode, Charlie Aubry, Director of Agronomy at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, discusses his early career, East Lake’s renovation, and year-round preparation for the Tour Championship.

He shares insights on turfgrass choices, design considerations, community involvement, and what makes the course’s conditioning world-class — plus some personal favorites in a lightning round.