Department of Horticultural Science

Student in hat hand pollinates white apple blossoms
A female and a male student stand in a sweet corn field looking at a clipboard
5 students stand smiling in front of plants while wearing hats and yellow safety vests in a greenhouse

Upcoming Events

  • Lawn Care Field Day

    September 17, 4 PM - 6 PM

    UMN Turfgrass Science will be hosting a Lawn Care Field Day on Thursday, September 17, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Turfgrass Research and Outreach Education (TROE) Center. The event is free and open to the public, but we do ask that you register for the event. We hope to see you there!

News

  • Rolling after the application of a contact fungicide does not reduce efficacy on putting greens

    August 3, 2026

    For golf course superintendents balancing labor shortages with maintenance demands, the question of whether to roll greens immediately after a fungicide application is common. New research confirms that rolling putting greens within 10 minutes of applying Secure Action (fluazinam with acibenzolar-S-methyl) does not reduce disease control. Field trials across multiple locations showed no significant difference in dollar spot or Rhizoctonia suppression between rolled and unrolled treatments, offering a data-backed green light to streamline your maintenance schedule. Read more on this study here.

  • A year-round evergreen houseplant with edible fruit: dwarf pomegranate (Punica granatum var. nana)

    July 30, 2026

    Could dwarf pomegranates be the next must-have addition to the indoor garden? Research has evaluated these plants as a promising new crop that breaks the mold of traditional ornamental houseplants. Beyond their evergreen foliage and year-round flowering, these pomegranates produce edible fruit and thrive on an accelerated production cycle—flowering in under one year. This combination of rapid growth, aesthetic appeal, and utility makes them an ideal candidate for year-round production and holiday market demand. You can read the official publication here.

  • Welcome Gigi DiGiacomo!

    July 22, 2026

    The Department of Horticultural Science is thrilled to welcome Gigi DiGiacomo as the newest Senior Researcher!