Join us online to equip yourself with knowledge and skills you can implement in your management program for lawn care and landscape in the 2026 season.
Registration
Preregistration is required.
Attendees are welcome to sign up for one or both days. Pesticide and association credits are available on a per day basis.
$75 / per day or $110 / both days. Please note that refunds are not available after the program begins and requests must be made by 8 am the day of the event.
Email harmonieolou[at]umass[dot]edu (harmonieolou[at]umass[dot]edu) for municipalities to pay via PO.
Agenda
Day 1 - Tuesday, March 24 – Lawn Care Topics
8:45 AM Opening Remarks
9 AM - 10 AM
Insect Pests in Turfgrass: Current Updates on Biology and Management - Dr. Olga Kostromytska, Extension Assistant Professor, Turf Entomologist, UMass Stockbridge School of Agriculture
Fluctuating weather patterns are changing the "normal" timing for insect activity, making it harder to predict and mitigate the risk of severe infestations. The talk will focus on the latest management updates for the "big four" turf insect pests: white grubs, billbugs, chinch bugs, and sod webworms. The discussion will dive into how weather trends are altering life cycles and emergence patterns and what it means for management. The talk will review the new fundings of new and known management tools available for these pests.
10 AM - 10:15 AM Break
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Soil Science Essentials for Lawn Care Professionals - Dr. Evan Mascitti, Assistant Professor, Urban Managed Landscapes, UMass Stockbridge School of Agriculture
Plant growth is fundamentally driven by soil quality. Attendees will learn what makes a high-quality soil and how to set a lawn up for success. We will also interpret soil test reports and learn to diagnose common soil problems such as compaction, poor drainage, and nutrient deficiencies.
11:15 AM - 11:30 AM Break
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Managing Grassy Weeds and Yellow Nutsedge in Turf - Randall Prostak, Weed Specialist, UMass Extension
The management of grass and grass-like weeds present challenges very different than handling broadleaf weeds. This presentation will “get-in-the-weeds” and explore management strategies for grassy weeds and yellow nutsedge.
12:30 PM Credits info, wrap-up and adjourn
Day 2 - Wednesday, March 25 – Landscape Topics
8:45 AM Opening Remarks
9 AM - 10 AM
Common Diseases of Trees and Shrubs to Know for the Upcoming Growing Season - Dr. Nicholas Brazee, Extension Plant Pathology Specialist & Diagnostician, UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab
After a winter of dormancy, it's helpful to review common diseases of landscape trees and shrubs as we prepare for a new growing season. This talk will cover a variety of potentially damaging diseases, the symptoms and signs they produce, and what may be done to intervene.
10 AM - 10:15 AM Break
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Soil Health: The Foundation of High-Quality Landscapes - Dr. Artie Siller, Soil Health Educator, UMass Extension
Soil health is an important area of focus for modern management systems, and strong soil health is a foundational concern for maximizing landscape performance. Learn how attention to soil health can help to support plant vigor and resiliency, reduce management attention, contribute to environmental services, and more.
11:15 AM - 11:30 AM Break
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
2026 Tree & Shrub Insect Pest Update - Tawny Simisky, Entomology Specialist, UMass Extension
This presentation will provide an overview of insect pests of trees and shrubs--both native and non-native. Usual suspects and 2026 updates will be included. Identification, biology, and management of each species will be discussed. Helpful UMass Extension resources and where to find further information will be shared.
12:30 PM Credits info, wrap-up and adjourn
Pesticide Credits
Poll questions will be held throughout the webinars to verify attendance for pesticide credits.
Day 1 / Lawn Care: Two pesticide contact hours for categories 37 and Applicators License are available.
Day 2 / Landscape: Two pesticide contact hours for categories 29, 36, and Applicators License are available.
Each day acts as its own event in relation to earning credits.
Professional Credits
Day 1 / Lawn Care: 1 MCH and 1 MCLP credits are available.
Day 2 / Landscape: 1 MCA, 1 MCH, 1 MCLP, and ISA credits are available.
Each day acts as its own event in relation to earning credits.
Credits can only be assigned to registered attendees who participated in poll questions via their own unique device. Group participation is not permitted. All communication regarding participation and awarded credits must happen directly with the attendee or approval must be given to discuss it with their employer.
Pre-registration required. Email harmonieolou[at]umass[dot]edu (harmonieolou[at]umass[dot]edu) to pay via PO.