* Last 3 Fridays in January and all 4 Fridays in February

Do you manage turf as part of your business? Do you want to know more about the kind of turf that you are managing and how to take care of the problems associated with the turf? If so join us in this annual turfgrass short course.

N.C. Cooperative Extension agents in Western North Carolina will offer the annual Certified Turfgrass Professional Short Course in an online class format using Zoom. Although the class is designed to prepare those in the turfgrass industry to take the NC Certified Turfgrass Professional exam, many people take it for the credits offered or just for the information. Individuals wishing to take the exam can make an appointment to take it with their Extension agent at their own convenience, instead of us offering the exam on a specific date, to everyone. It is a daylong exam so keep that in mind when scheduling a time to complete it. The exam should be taken within one year of the class to get the discounted fees.

It is advisable that you order the book(s) directly from the Turfgrass Council of NC. This will save your company money and allow you to decide how many books you need as well as get the books delivered directly to you before the classes start.

Turfgrass Council of North Carolina

110 Horizon Drive, Suite 210

Raleigh, NC 27615

Phone: 919.459.2070 | Fax: 919.459.2075 Email: info@ncturfgrass.org

The Benefits of Turf in Our World; The Many Parts of North Carolina’s Turfgrass Industry; Important Turfgrass Characteristics; Vegetable Identification of Turfgrasses; Regions of North Carolina where the major grass species are best adapted; Some of the commonly used cultivars for each turfgrass species.

DAY 2 | JAN 24, 2021 | 9:00-12:00 p.m.

Criteria that should be considered when selecting turfgrasses; Climatic zones of North Carolina; Best time to establish a particular turfgrass species; How to prepare a site for planting; Different planting methods; How to read a seed label to purchase the best seed; How to calculate seed needs; How to renovate a poor or declining turf; How to select and manage turfgrasses for shaded environments.

DAY 3 | JAN 29, 2021 | 9:00-12:00 p.m.

Introduction to Soil-Water Dynamics; Soil Volume; Soil Structure; Soil Depth & Horizons; Soil Colloids; Essential Elements; Nutrient Availability; Cation Exchange Capacity; Soil pH – Acidity & Liming; Macronutrients and Micronutrients; Nutrient Management Strategies: Soil Testing, Plant Tissue Testing, Monitoring & Visual Estimates; Nutrient Management Programs: Turf Species, Fertilization Timing, Fertilization Frequency, Fertilization Rates, Fertilizer Formulations; Environmental Concerns & Considerations.

Pest Management Strategies; Weed Identification and Management; Diseases: Causes, Hosts, Developmental Factors and Forecasting, Symptoms; Management of Insects: Identification, Prediction, Thresh-holds , and Management.

DAY 5 | FEB 12, 2021 | 9:00-12:00 p.m.

Mowing; Irrigation; Vertical Mowing; Power Raking; Aeration; Root Zone Cultivation.

Pesticide Selection; Pesticide Formulations Applied as Solids; Pesticide Formulations Applied as Liquids; Judicious Pesticide Use; Pesticides in the Turn Environment; Storing, Handling and Disposing of Pesticides; Protective Clothing; Spill Containment, Accident Response; Equipment Cleanup; Plant Growth Regulators.

DAY 6 | FEB 19, 2021 | 9:00-12:00 p.m.

Personal and Operational Safety; The Role of HAZCOM Training; The differences between the chemical and trade name of pesticides; Safe and effective use of pesticides.

Review Effective Personnel Management; Estimating Insurance; Accounting; Permitting and Licensing; Marketing; Customer and Public Relations; Review Session.

DAY 7 | FEB 26, 2021 | 9:00-12:00 p.m.

Calculations and Dilution Ratios; Sprayer Calibration; Sprayer Maintenance: Spreader Calibration; Spreader Maintenance; Fertilizer Calculations; Fertilizer Analysis and Ratios; Application Techniques & Options.

This course is open only to individuals, who wish to prepare for the NC Landscape Contractor Exam. The fees charged are for the course only and not related to the exam fees and other requirement prerequisites for taking the exams. Please contact the NCLCLB for more information or visit their website and submit documentation at least 45 days prior to the exam date. You will need to schedule your exam date with the administrators at NCLCLB.

DAY 1 | JAN 8, 2021 | 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

We now accept online registration and credit card payments for all of our Green Industry Certification Programs using Eventbrite. We prefer participants use the new online method of registration to ensure a seat and help us with attendance accountability.

We now accept online registration and credit card payments for all of our Green Industry Certification Programs using Eventbrite. We prefer participants use the new online method of registration to ensure a seat and help us with attendance accountability.

We now accept online registration and credit card payments for all of our Green Industry Certification Programs using Eventbrite. We prefer participants use the new online method of registration to ensure a seat and help us with attendance accountability.

We now accept online registration and credit card payments for all of our Green Industry Certification Programs using Eventbrite. We prefer participants use the new online method of registration to ensure a seat and help us with attendance accountability.