Revised 1/2025

HRT 269 - Professional Turf Care (3 CR.)

Course Description

Covers turfgrass identification, selection, culture, propagation, and pest control. Surveys commercial turf care operations and use of common equipment. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 2 hours. Total 4 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

This course provides students with a knowledge of turf care practices and the theory behind them. The course is intended for students who will work in the grounds management or landscape industries.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

Students should be able to read at the college level and perform basic computations.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:

• Describe the primary daily and seasonal practices followed in the commercial management of turfgrass.
• Identify those trade resources which relate to ordering and purchasing plant materials, equipment, and supplies.
• Identify the major types of turfgrasses and their respective uses and culture.
• List relevant trade journals.

Major Topics to Be Included

• Careers in the turf industry
• Types of turf and their respective uses
• Preparation of site for turf establishment
• Mowing
• Irrigation and drainage
• Fertilizers and lime
• Insect, disease and weed control
• Tools and equipment
• Management of newly established turf
• Renovating older turf
• Producing and using sod