Sustainable Landscapes Program

Program Leader: Victoria Wallace, Extension Educator

Alliance for Low Input Sustainable Turfgrass (ALIST) Evaluation

Year 3 data of a 3-year evaluation trial of Kentucky bluegrass cultivars trial were collected. UConn is an evaluation location for this national program. Turf quality of the Kentucky bluegrass cultivars were evaluated based on reduced water, chemical and fertility inputs. Selection of sustainable turfgrass varieties is important for a turfgrass manager who must manage school athletic fields with a limited budget and few tools. Integrating varieties that perform well with fewer inputs is a critical tool for school grounds managers of K-8 fields.

 

ALIST evaluation, Storrs, CT
Photo: Victoria Wallace.

V. Wallace speaks about the ALIST turf research plots during the virtual field day program.
Photo: Alyssa Siegel-Miles.

National Turfgrass Evaluation Program- Tall Fescue Test

Year 2 data of a 5-year evaluation trial of turf-type tall fescue cultivars. UConn serves as an evaluation location for this national turfgrass evaluation program.

 

The NTEP turf research plots, as captured via drone during the virtual field day program.

Conference Programs

Sustainable landscape presentations were conducted (nationally, regionally and in state) before COVID restricted travel. Presentation topics included integrating assessments into school grounds programs, turfgrass selection for a sustainable landscape, and UConn research updates.

Cornell “Short Cutts”

V. Wallace serves as UConn representative for a regional turfgrass conference call and newsletter (33-35 weeks/year; AprilOctober), hosted by Cornell Extension faculty. IPM recommendations for turfgrass managers along with current research and weather forecasting were made available to Extension faculty in the Northeast.

Sustainable Landscape and School IPM Publications

Vickie Wallace and Alyssa Siegel-Miles developed 16 UConn School IPM bulletins and fact sheets during 2020, which are posted on the UConn IPM website.

Landscape Messages and Documents for Landscape Professionals:

  • Biological Pest Control for CT Landscapes. February 2020 Nursery and Landscape Update. With Jacob Ricker. 4 pp.
  • Biological Pest Control for Connecticut Landscapes. February 2020. With John Inguagiato. 4 pp.
  • Biological Pest Control Products Available for Connecticut Landscapes. February 2020. With John Inguagiato. 2 pp.
  • Pruning Recommendations and Guidelines. March 2020 Nursery and Landscape Update. With Jacob Ricker. 4 pp.
  • Weed Control and Prevention. May 2020 Nursery and Landscape Update. With Jacob Ricker. 4 pp.
  • Property Management Assessment Form. August 2020. 3 pp.

School Grounds Managers:

  • Best Management Practices for Pesticide-Free, Cool-Season Athletic Fields, Second Edition. August 2020. With Jason Henderson. 23 pp.
  • Connecticut Native Plant and Sustainable Landscaping Guide. May 2020. 44 pp.

Invasive Plant Documents:

  • Invasive Plant Factsheet: Black and Pale Swallow-wort. September 2020. With Klaudia Sowizral. 2 pp.
  • Invasive Plant Factsheet: Oriental Bittersweet. September 2020. With Klaudia Sowizral. 2 pp.
  • Invasive Plant Factsheet: Tree-of-Heaven. October 2020. With Klaudia Sowizral. 2 pp.
  • Invasive Plant Factsheet: Japanese Knotweed. October 2020. With Klaudia Sowizral. 2 pp.
  • Invasive Plant Factsheet: Common Mugwort. October 2020. With Klaudia Sowizral. 2 pp.
  • Invasive Plant Factsheet: Japanese Barberry. October 2020. With Klaudia Sowizral. 2 pp.
  • Invasive Plant Factsheet: Japanese Stiltgrass. November 2020. With Klaudia Sowizral. 2 pp.
  • Invasive Plant Factsheet: Garlic Mustard. November 2020. With Klaudia Sowizral. 2 pp.