Lawns are the largest managed turf acreage in the USA. This large acreage of fertilized turf has generated public concern regarding nitrogen (N) fertilizer misuse. This 2‐yr field study evaluated the effects of eight N programs that varied by N amount, 0 to 196 kg N ha−1 yr−1, and seasonal application timing on the aboveground plant responses of three cool‐season lawn species: Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.; KBG), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.; PRG), and turf‐type tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.; TTTF). Significant cumulative species dry matter yield differences were measured for the study, with 9426, 7750, and 7011 kg ha−1 for TTTF, KBG, and PRG, respectively. Kentucky bluegrass generally possessed the greenest canopy when averaged across all N programs, followed by TTTF and PRG. Annual turfgrass quality (TQ) was highest and most seasonally consistent for TTTF, followed by KBG and PRG. Although, KBG overall TQ was lower than TTTF, primarily due to slow spring green‐up, KBG was superior to TTTF on many ratings during active growth. Perennial ryegrass produced the lowest TQ compared with TTTF and KBG. This was due to summer disease in both years and substantial turf cover losses, 24 to 81% in 2005. If the goal in lawn management is to maximize turfgrass response with the fewest N inputs, the species that met this goal was TTTF, which provided acceptable TQ and color, and had less disease at relatively low, 73 to 123 kg ha−1 yr−1, N levels.

Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) lawns generally require N fertilizer at 98 to 196 kg/ha/year to maximize appearance and growth. Most homeowners do not regularly fertilize, resulting in weed‐ and disease‐prone lawns due to insufficient N. This two‐year field study evaluated three urea‐based N sources: urea, sulfur‐coated urea (SCU), and polymer‐coated urea (PCU) at N rates of 0, 49, or 147 kg/ha/year applied in early September only or 49 kg/ha/month from September through November. Mean turfgrass quality, canopy greenness, and total dry matter yield all increased with annual N rate. All fertilizer treatments, except the September‐only SCU treatment at 49 kg of N per ha, produced more dry matter yield than the unfertilized control. The highest mean quality and greenest turf resulted from three consecutive applications of urea at the N rate of 49 kg/ha/month and single September‐only PCU or SCU applications at the 147‐kg/ha/year N rate. There was no advantage to monthly urea, PCU, or SCU applications when compared to September‐only SCU or PCU applications of N at 147 kg/ha. These results demonstrate that homeowners can produce a high quality bluegrass turf with less effort by applying SCU or PCU in September only at N rates of 147 kg/ha.

Putting greens are the most important golf course use area and regularly draw comments regarding their appearance and playing condition. This field laboratory exercise taught students how to properly measure putting green speed, an important functional characteristic, using a Stimpmeter device that measures golf ball roll distance (BRD). Additionally, students determined the effects of various cultural practices affecting BRD such as creeping bentgrass [Agrostis stolonifera L. var palustris (Huds.) Farw.] cultivar differences and six management practices: mowing equipment (a triplex mower vs. a walk mower both set at the same mowing height), mowing frequency (single vs. double cutting with a walk mower), mowing plus rolling (using a water‐filled roller) on a research putting green. The effectiveness of this exercise was determined using pre‐ and post‐exercise surveys for two contrasting student populations, high school level students and junior/senior level undergraduates enrolled in turfgrass science. As expected, the less experienced high school students gained the most knowledge overall. Both populations, however, greatly improved their understanding regarding Stimpmeter operation with 100% of both populations agreeing that they could properly operate the device. Additionally, >72% of both groups agreed that this exercise was meaningful and bettered their understanding of putting green maintenance. Therefore, this laboratory exercise appears suitable for teaching students about general putting green maintenance practices and measuring green speed, regardless of whether or not they are interested in a career in golf course management.