It’s been a good summer for lawns in south central Wisconsin – timely rains and mostly moderate temperatures. But what kind of weather will autumn bring? Fall is the best time of the year to establish, renovate, or improve your lawn. Home Lawn Field Day, Saturday, Aug. 16 at the O.J. Noer Turfgrass Research and Education Facility, is just the place to get your lawn questions answered.

Turfgrass management specialists and researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison”s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and UW Cooperative Extension will answer questions and give presentations all afternoon. Presentations will include:

o Weed management

o Fertilization

o The steps to lawn success

o Lawn diseases and insect pests

o Lawn establishment and renovation

o Seed types and seed mixtures

o Ornamental grasses

o Backyard prairies

o Wildlife habitat, and more.

The field day will run from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16. The O.J. Noer facility is at 2502 Highway M, Verona. Exit the Beltline at Mineral Point Road, go one block west to the intersection of Mineral Point Road and Junction Road, then head south on Junction Road (Highway M) 2.5 miles. The facility is on your right. Heading north out of Verona, take Highway M 0.3 miles past McKee Road; facility is on your left.

Home Lawn Field Day is sponsored by O.J. Noer staff, UW Cooperative Extension, and the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. The facility has 23 acres devoted solely to turfgrass. Station specialists work with homeowners and with professionals who maintain turf for sports fields, golf courses, commercial properties, parks and other public grounds. These specialists are from the UW-Madison departments of Soil Science, Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Entomology, and Agronomy, as well as other local experts. They will present unbiased, research-based information and answer questions to help you create a healthy, beautiful home lawn.