NMSU professor to host turfgrass water conservation workshop in Albuquerque

With the desert heat already on the rise, one professor at New Mexico State University will be hosting a workshop to provide the public with useful information on how to properly maintain turfgrass at homes, public parks, and golf courses while conserving water.

The seminar will take place at the Council of Albuquerque Garden Clubs from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, June 1.

Bernd Leinauer, Regents Professor and turfgrass Extension specialist in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, said the goal is to cover efficient lawn irrigation, exact programming of a controller, and reducing water use.

“It is our opinion that lawns have an important purpose even in a desert environment, but they need to be irrigated appropriately with the correct amount of water and that’s what we go over in the three-hour workshop,” Leinauer said. “Water conservation is the core of our research. We understand that lawns need water, but we investigate several approaches on how to minimize that water, enjoy all the benefits, and keep grass green with the most limited amount of water that we can afford.”

Leinauer adds that turfgrasses are usually perceived to require a high amount of water, but this is not necessarily true. “Our work has shown that turfgrasses can survive on much less water than what is currently believed. The majority of the water applied is not even reaching the plants but is wasted by inefficient irrigation systems.”

The event is free of charge and open for up to 50 participants.

To register, visit bernalilloextension.nmsu.edu. For more information about the Turfgrass Research, Extension and Education program at NMSU, visit https://aces.nmsu.edu/programs/turf/ or contact Leinauer at leinauer@nmsu.edu.