With fluctuating temperatures and changing market dynamics, staying ahead of trends is key to maintaining healthy, playable turf.
To get a sense of what’s on the horizon, we spoke with Carl Schimenti, the urban environmental scientist with the Cornell Turfgrass Program, who closely watches industry shifts. In this Q&A, he shares insights on the adoption of robotic mowers, the impact of winter weather on course openings, and essential data points for turf management. Whether you’re managing a golf course or caring for a home lawn, his advice will help you navigate the transition into spring.
What key turfgrass challenges or trends should we watch for this season?
I’m interested to see how turf managers are going to evaluate autonomous mowing units in 2025. The adoption rates of autonomous mowers have been slow, but I’ve noticed a real increase in interest from turfgrass managers in the technology in the last year. I think that’s driven by a couple of things including..
- Competition in the marketplace from both traditional and non-traditional landscape industry companie
- A labor shortage
- A rapid increase in cost and scarcity that is now seen with traditional mowing units
When are golf courses expected to open this year?
The winter so far in New York State has been slightly cooler than normal, with less snowfall than normal with the exceptions of the Adirondacks and pockets of Western NY. Given the lack of snow cover, it could be the case that a string of warm days anywhere in the state could open golf courses in the center of the state as early as mid to late March. However, a more traditional starting date Is April 1st.
Are there any essential data tools or technologies golf course superintendents should use at this time of year to optimize turf health and playability?
The main data points to watch as we move towards spring are the high and low temperatures. Specifically, when we get rain events after air temperatures have been near 50 F, but then drop rapidly. When the temperatures warm, the plants begin to acclimate in order to begin growing in earnest for the season. A couple warm days with some light rains can do the trick, but a sharp drop in temperatures below freezing can then shock the plants and lead to winter damage. This is exacerbated when there is any standing water on the surface.
For homeowners and property managers, what are the most important turf care considerations this winter as we head into spring?
I would recommend that people practice patience as we move towards spring. It is natural to want to “get out and go” after we have been cooped up inside all winter. But we have to recognize that sometimes doing things too early, e.g. mowing when the ground is still soft and wet, may do more harm than good. If you just can’t stop yourself from doing something, then it’s never a bad idea to begin to broadcast some grass seed. In home lawns, the spring is a great time to throw some seed, even early in the spring, where the plentiful rain (or sometimes snow) can push the seed in the ground creating seed-to-soil contact that begins to spur germination. As Betsy Lamb has said “overseeding is underrated.”