The EarthWorks Podcast

EarthWorks

The EarthWorks Podcast is a series of interviews and conversations hosted by many of the EarthWorks agronomists, featuring friends from the turf industry. Interviews include noted golf course superintendents, industry experts, agronomists and business people. These conversations are designed to inform and entertain. EarthWorks has been a leader in the discussion of Biological Soil Management and has been producing professional grade carbon based fertilizers for over 30 years. Each year over 15,000 soil tests are performed by the companies agronomists and all of this builds the focus of The EarthWorks Podcast. Please enjoy.

  1. 6d ago

    The EW Podcast - Jack Higgins with Michael Clifton - A Little Goes A Long Way

    Jack Higgins sits down with Michael Clifton, owner of Chesapeake Grounds, to talk about how EarthWorks principles have helped shape a growing nursery operation built around biology, carbon-based fertility, and healthier plants. Michael shares how he moved from managing roughly 200 acres of turf into growing annuals and perennials, developing a system that combines Myco-Replenish 3-3-3, Replenish 3-4-3, Sea3, ProteinPlus, Trilogy, CalVantage, MagVantage and biological growing media. The conversation gets into propagation, soil blending, irrigation, EC management, foliar feeding and why a little fertility applied consistently can often outperform pushing plants too hard. It is also a fascinating look at how the same Soil First concepts used on golf courses and landscapes can translate directly into greenhouse and nursery production. Visit EarthWorks at: https://www.earthworksturf.com  Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/  EW Turf Talks: https://www.earthworksturf.com/2-minute-turf-talks/

    The EW Podcast - Jack Higgins with Michael Clifton - A Little Goes A Long Way

  2. Sep 10

    The EW Podcast - Kevin Hicks and Jack Higgins - The Case for More Diversity

    For the first time, Kevin Hicks and Jack Higgins sit down for an EarthWorks Podcast of their own, and the conversation covers a lot of ground. They compare East Coast and West Coast turf challenges, from drought and water restrictions to changing turfgrass selections, mixed-species stands, bunker construction, irrigation investment, and the growing importance of managing the entire property rather than just the most visible areas. The discussion also turns heavily toward soil biology, mycorrhizal networks, biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and what those systems may tell us about building healthier, more efficient root zones. Kevin and Jack share thoughts on fall aerification, seeding, Myco-Replenish 3-3-3, Ecolite, Sea3, K-Vantage, and using the fall season to rebuild turf after a difficult summer. They also offer a glimpse at some of the changes underway at EarthWorks, including advances in soil testing and compost production. Visit EarthWorks at: https://www.earthworksturf.com  Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/  EW Turf Talks: https://www.earthworksturf.com/2-minute-turf-talks/

    The EW Podcast - Kevin Hicks and Jack Higgins - The Case for More Diversity

  3. Sep 3

    The EW Podcast - Joel Simmons with John Reilly - Paspalum, Career Changes and Staying in the Game

    John Reilly is an old friend of The EarthWorks Podcast who always brings great turf conversations and plenty of laughs. Recently, John found himself facing a transition many longtime superintendents eventually encounter: moving on after losing a position he held for many years. Rather than slowing down, John has built a diversified business that includes sand injection work, autonomous mowing technology, and traditional turf consulting. He remains deeply connected to the industry and continues to share his experience and perspective with turf professionals. John is also one of the pioneers of using paspalum on golf courses. In this episode, he discusses what he has learned from growing and managing paspalum over the years, why he believes it produces an exceptional playing surface, and some of the misconceptions surrounding the grass. As John explains, paspalum prefers fresh water but has the ability to tolerate salty conditions. The conversation explores paspalum’s versatility, its ability to produce significant root mass, and how managing organic matter biologically with a carbon-based approach can help create outstanding playing conditions. John believes paspalum has a growing future in golf, particularly for courses looking to reduce inputs, chemical use, and overall maintenance costs. John also talks candidly about career transitions, staying optimistic, and finding new opportunities while continuing to do what he loves: talking turf. Visit EarthWorks at: https://www.earthworksturf.com  Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/  EW Turf Talks: https://www.earthworksturf.com/2-minute-turf-talks/

    The EW Podcast - Joel Simmons with John Reilly - Paspalum, Career Changes and Staying in the Game

  4. Aug 27

    The EW Podcast - Jack Higgins with Tim Falvey - Rebuilding Inwood One Hole at a Time

    Jack Higgins visits Tim Falvey at historic Inwood Country Club on Long Island for a tour of the property and a conversation about golf, turf management, course architecture, and restoration. Tim shares how he and his team are working to bring Inwood back toward its original links-style character, using historic aerials, removing trees, expanding short grass areas, incorporating fescue, and completing major renovation projects almost entirely in-house. They also discuss the challenges of managing a coastal golf course, including salt, wind, drought, extreme humidity, and an irrigation failure that left the course without its system for nearly 10 days.  Along the way, Tim talks about his trip to Scotland, creating firm and fast playing conditions, designing for multiple shot options, his approach to shaping and construction, and what’s ahead for Inwood as the club continues to reconnect with its remarkable golf history. Visit EarthWorks at: https://www.earthworksturf.com  Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/  EW Turf Talks: https://www.earthworksturf.com/2-minute-turf-talks/

    The EW Podcast - Jack Higgins with Tim Falvey - Rebuilding Inwood One Hole at a Time

  5. Aug 20

    The EW Podcast - Kevin Hicks with John Szklinski - From the U.S. Open to a $30 Million Renovation.

    Kevin Hicks reconnects with John Szklinski, his first boss out of college, for a conversation covering nearly four decades in golf course management. John’s career began at age 16 on a golf course near State College, Pennsylvania, before taking him to Penn State, Arizona, Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, and ultimately Charlotte Country Club. Along the way, he helped prepare Southern Hills for the 2001 U.S. Open, navigating everything from a maintenance facility fire and vandalism to major course renovations and the challenges of managing famously fast putting surfaces under championship conditions. John also reflects on nearly 20 years at Charlotte Country Club, where he oversaw an extensive $30 million renovation. He shares lessons about project management, budgeting, contractor oversight, and preparing a maintenance staff for the very different demands of large-scale construction. Kevin and John also discuss how technology has changed turf management, including the impact of soil moisture meters, cell phones, and hydronics, while emphasizing that experience, observation, and hands-on management still matter. Most importantly, John looks back on the people and relationships that shaped his career and offers simple advice to the next generation of superintendents: find work you genuinely love. Visit EarthWorks at: https://www.earthworksturf.com  Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/  EW Turf Talks: https://www.earthworksturf.com/2-minute-turf-talks/

    The EW Podcast - Kevin Hicks with John Szklinski - From the U.S. Open to a $30 Million Renovation.

  6. Aug 13

    The EW Podcast - Jack Higgins with Jamie Richardson, Churchill Downs

    Jack Higgins visits Churchill Downs for an on-site conversation with Track Superintendent Jamie Richardson about the unique challenges of managing one of horse racing’s most demanding turf surfaces. Jamie explains how the track transitions from cool-season grasses to Ironcutter Bermudagrass during the summer, using the strength of the Bermuda root system to build a more stable, resilient racing surface focused on horse safety and performance. Jamie also discusses the evolution of the sand-based turf course, which was rebuilt in 2021, and how sprigging, DryJect, organic matter management, drainage, aerification, and fertility have helped improve the track year after year. The results are showing: Churchill Downs ran 108 turf races during the spring meet, and the course performed exceptionally well even following heavy rainfall. The conversation also looks at Jamie’s EarthWorks fertility program, including Myco-Replenish 3-3-3, Replenish 8-2-2, Replenish 5-4-5 and C3, with a major emphasis on building roots, maintaining stability, replenishing nutrients in the sand profile, and supporting turf recovery under heavy traffic. After the Churchill Downs interview, Jack shifts to late-summer turf management and discusses why August is an important time for recovery, aerification, overseeding, carbohydrate storage and preparing both warm- and cool-season turf for the months ahead. Visit EarthWorks at: https://www.earthworksturf.com  Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/  EW Turf Talks: https://www.earthworksturf.com/2-minute-turf-talks/

    The EW Podcast - Jack Higgins with Jamie Richardson, Churchill Downs

  7. Aug 6

    The EW Podcast - Still Learning with Jerry

    Jerry Brunetti was a founding partner of EarthWorks alongside Joel Simmons in 1988. At the time, Jerry owned an animal health care business in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, where Joel served as the County Extension Agent. Their friendship quickly grew, and Jerry became instrumental in helping Joel understand the value of Biological Soil Management. After EarthWorks was established, Jerry formulated two foundational products: the flagship Replenish 5-4-5 and the soil conditioner Kick. These products were originally intended to support a lawn care business, but Joel soon recognized that EarthWorks’ future was in manufacturing. From there, the company’s product development continued to grow. Jerry passed away from cancer in December 2014, but his influence remains deeply woven into EarthWorks. It has often been said that he was 10 years ahead of the industry, although he may have been closer to 20 years ahead. One of his greatest lessons was the importance of remineralization. In this clip, titled “The Holy Grail of Crop Health,” Jerry explains the importance of plant secondary metabolites and how plants develop them when they have access to a broad range of available minerals. Although he does not speak directly about turf, his explanation of how plants function certainly applies to turfgrass. This presentation offers valuable insight into the thinking behind EarthWorks’ product development while showcasing Jerry’s knowledge, intelligence, and unmistakable passion for the subject. We miss you, Jerry. Visit EarthWorks at: https://www.earthworksturf.com  Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/  EW Turf Talks: https://www.earthworksturf.com/2-minute-turf-talks/

    The EW Podcast - Still Learning with Jerry

  8. Jul 30

    The EW Podcast - Joel Simmons with Lawrence Mayhew - The Chemistry Behind Healthy Soil

    Lawrence Mayhew, “The Chemist of EarthWorks,” joins Joel Simmons for a wide-ranging conversation about humic substances, soil biology, nutrient efficiency, and the evolving science behind Biological Soil Management. Lawrence explains how humic substances moved from being poorly understood and difficult to label to becoming widely used for improving nutrient bioavailability and fertilizer performance. The discussion explores rhizophagy, the process through which plants cultivate microbes, bring them into their roots, extract nutrients, and release them back into the soil to repeat the cycle. Lawrence and Joel also examine the importance of enzymes, trace elements, carbon diversity, micronization, and complex product formulations in creating biologically active soils and longer-lasting turf responses. The central message is that reducing fertilizer inputs requires more than simply applying less product. It requires changing the soil system so microbes, chemistry, and physical soil conditions work together more efficiently. Visit EarthWorks at: https://www.earthworksturf.com  Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/  EW Turf Talks: https://www.earthworksturf.com/2-minute-turf-talks/

    The EW Podcast - Joel Simmons with Lawrence Mayhew - The Chemistry Behind Healthy Soil
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Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

The EarthWorks Podcast is a series of interviews and conversations hosted by many of the EarthWorks agronomists, featuring friends from the turf industry. Interviews include noted golf course superintendents, industry experts, agronomists and business people. These conversations are designed to inform and entertain. EarthWorks has been a leader in the discussion of Biological Soil Management and has been producing professional grade carbon based fertilizers for over 30 years. Each year over 15,000 soil tests are performed by the companies agronomists and all of this builds the focus of The EarthWorks Podcast. Please enjoy.

Information

  • Creator
    EarthWorks
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    328
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright EarthWorks
  • Show Website
    The EarthWorks Podcast

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