Agricultural Sciences

Lawn Care A Growth Industry For Penn State Ag Faculty

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The care and feeding of American lawns is a multibillion-dollar industry that is a rich source of story ideas for journalists and special section editors.

Faculty in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences can offer their expertise on a wide variety of lawn-related topics, from mowing to reseeding.

The following faculty would be effective sources on turfgrass-related issues:

James Garthe, instructor in agricultural engineering. Garthe is an expert on the care and maintenance of agricultural machinery, including lawn mowers. He can discuss spring lawn machinery needs and maintenance schedules. His office number is 814-865-7154.

Peter Landschoot, associate professor of turfgrass science. Landschoot is an expert on turfgrass maintenance and lawn care. He can discuss fertilizers, lawn diseases and pest problems. His office number is 814-863-1017.

Thomas Watschke, professor of turfgrass science, Charles Mancino, assistant professor of turf/soil science, and David Huff, assistant professor of turfgrass breeding and genetics. These three turfgrass experts can answer almost any question on turfgrass. Watschke is an expert in all phases of lawn care and is particularly knowledgeable about weeds and how turf affects the environment. His office number is 814-863-7644. Mancino is an expert on soil fertility and fertilization. His office number is 814-863-1015. Huff is an expert on turfgrass varieties. His office number is 814-863-9805.

George Hamilton, instructor in agronomy. Hamilton is an expert on all aspects of lawn and turfgrass care. He is the inventor of PennMulch, a mulch made of recycled paper for turfgrass and landscapes. His office number is 814-865-3007.

###

Contacts: Eston Martz Eston_Martz@agcs.cas.psu.edu 814-863-3587 814-865-1068 fax

Last Updated March 19, 2009