Sustainable Landscapes at Cornell

Changing Temperatures and Green Up: Approaching Early Spring Management

Spring weather is often unpredictable, with rainfall and temperatures varying significantly each week. Through all this uncertainty, how can you set your lawn up for success in the coming months? This episode of the Cornell Clippings Podcast highlights what to expect from your lawn in early spring. Frank Rossi and Carl Schimenti explore why different areas may be greener than others, as well as how to approach management and prepare for the season. Stay Informed with Cornell Turfgrass: For more insights, research-backed strategies, and the latest turf management updates, visit turf.cals.cornell.edu [https://turf.cals.cornell.edu/]. Stay connected and join the conversation—follow Cornell Turfgrass on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHPXm2Es8aQBESXdpxPozrRV4WGVGfVN0], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/CornellTurf], and X [https://x.com/Cornell_Turf] for expert advice, live discussions, and educational content throughout the growing season.

Sustainable Landscapes at Cornell

To build a sustainable and carbon neutral campus by 2030, Cornell is starting from the grounds up. In this episode of the Cornell Clippings Podcast, Frank Rossi and Carl Schimenti dive into a series of best management practices that reduce carbon emissions and promote a healthier planet. From mowing higher and less frequently, to implementing meadow fication and reducing nitrogen use, the team is seeing sizable reductions in their annual carbon output. Stay Informed with Cornell Turfgrass: For more insights, research-backed strategies, and the latest turf management updates, visit turf.cals.cornell.edu [https://turf.cals.cornell.edu/]. Stay connected and join the conversation—follow Cornell Turfgrass on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHPXm2Es8aQBESXdpxPozrRV4WGVGfVN0], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/CornellTurf], and X [https://x.com/Cornell_Turf] for expert advice, live discussions, and educational content throughout the growing season.

Ice Melting Points and Temperature

How much ice can a pound of salt really melt? In this episode, Frank Rossi and Dan Schied, director of Cornell University Grounds Department, break down the "pounds of ice melted per pound of salt" chart and explain how temperature dramatically changes performance. Sodium chloride loses nearly two-thirds of its effectiveness at 5°F and fluctuates sharply around the freezing point. Find the chart on our website! Stay Informed with Cornell Turfgrass: For more insights, research-backed strategies, and the latest turf management updates, visit turf.cals.cornell.edu [https://turf.cals.cornell.edu/]. Stay connected and join the conversation—follow Cornell Turfgrass on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHPXm2Es8aQBESXdpxPozrRV4WGVGfVN0], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/CornellTurf], and X [https://x.com/Cornell_Turf] for expert advice, live discussions, and educational content throughout the growing season.

Breaking the Ice on Salt Injury

Salt may be just another input for grounds crews — but it's often one of the biggest winter expenses. In this episode, we explore how snow and deicing materials impact turf along sidewalks and managed landscapes. We break down soil compaction, salt injury, rising soil electrical conductivity (EC), and what it means for spring recovery. The team also discusses treated salts, including molasses and magnesium chloride blends, that reduce bounce, work at lower temperatures, and can cut sodium chloride use by up to 30%, potentially saving turf and budget alike. Stay Informed with Cornell Turfgrass: For more insights, research-backed strategies, and the latest turf management updates, visit turf.cals.cornell.edu [https://turf.cals.cornell.edu/]. Stay connected and join the conversation—follow Cornell Turfgrass on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHPXm2Es8aQBESXdpxPozrRV4WGVGfVN0], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/CornellTurf], and X [https://x.com/Cornell_Turf] for expert advice, live discussions, and educational content throughout the growing season.

What New York Golf Turf BMPs Are Achieving — And What They're Not

The Cornell Turfgrass Team dives into the New York Golf Economic and Environmental Impact Report, sharing the latest data on Best Management Practices (BMPs) in the state. Carl Schimenti and Jake Zajkowski break down what tracking changes in turf management really looks like. They discuss why a 4–5 year horizon is ideal for measuring adoption rates, what's working — like using evapotranspiration (ET) data to guide irrigation, installing wash stations, and collecting clipping volumes on putting greens to reduce fertilizer use. And what still needs work: documenting fertilizer use, implementing IPM plans, and preparing drought emergency strategies. Tune in to hear which BMPs are making a real impact and where New York golf courses still have room to grow. Stay Informed with Cornell Turfgrass: For more insights, research-backed strategies, and the latest turf management updates, visit turf.cals.cornell.edu [https://turf.cals.cornell.edu/]. Stay connected and join the conversation—follow Cornell Turfgrass on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHPXm2Es8aQBESXdpxPozrRV4WGVGfVN0], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/CornellTurf], and X [https://x.com/Cornell_Turf] for expert advice, live discussions, and educational content throughout the growing season.