Turf Scientist

Does a beautiful, well-maintained lawn catch your eye? Do you know the difference between fescue and bermuda grass? Do you love the feeling of standing on a well-maintained football field or golf course? If so, a career as a Turf Scientist might be the one for you.

A Turf Scientist studies turfgrass. Turfgrass is a term used to describe lawn grass that is used for a specific purpose, such as for sodding sports playing fields and golf courses. It is also used as a multipurpose landscaping material in residential or commercial lawns.

A luxurious and healthy carpet of grass offers many benefits, but also presents many challenges, as turfgrass is susceptible to diseases, pests, and soil problems. As a Turf Scientist, you use your scientific knowledge to face those challenges, and to develop and maintain those lush fields of grass.

You may conduct research in soil preparation and composition, irrigation, environmental factors, pest control, and fertilization. You determine how to maintain grasses without negatively affecting the environment. Additionally, you choose which seeds to use in various situations and regions. You can work at golf courses, sports and athletic fields, lawn care companies, or sod production or irrigation firms.