The EarthWorks Podcast

Hosted by EarthWorks

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Episodes

334

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Oct 2026

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About the show

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.

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60 recent

November 5, 20261 hr 19 min

The EW Podcast - Kevin Hicks with Brent M. Downs - The Good, The Bad and Ugly of Renovations

Golf course renovations are major undertakings, and there's no substitute for learning from those who have been through them. In this crossover episode of The EarthWorks Podcast and The Low Downs Podcast, Kevin Hicks and Brent Downs take a deep dive into the challenges, decisions, and lessons learned during large-scale golf course construction. Brent shares an inside look at the extensive renovation underway at Otter Creek Golf Course, while Kevin draws on decades of experience managing renovation projects across the country. Together, they discuss planning, contractor relationships, irrigation, seeding, grow-in strategies, and why cutting corners can lead to costly problems down the road. The conversation also explores the importance of building healthy soil from the beginning, including the role of EarthWorks RenovatePlus and balanced carbon-based fertility during grow-in. From construction challenges to developing great teams, this episode offers valuable insight for anyone planning, managing, or considering a golf course renovation. 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/

October 29, 20261 hr 5 min

The EW Podcast - Joel Simmons with Lawrence Mayhew - Amino Acids

Amino acids are becoming a major talking point in the turf industry, but what do they actually do for plant health, soil biology, and overall turf performance? Joel Simmons welcomes back popular guest and EarthWorks formulator Lawrence Mayhew for an in-depth conversation about the science of amino acids and their role in Biological Soil Management. They explore how amino acids support plants and soil microbes, improve nutrient-use efficiency, and help turf manage environmental stresses, including heat, drought, and sodium. Lawrence also explains the importance of osmotic balance, the relationship between amino acids and humic substances, and why diversity matters when selecting raw materials. The conversation offers a fascinating look into EarthWorks' formulation philosophy, including the multiple natural ingredients used to create a diverse profile of 26 identified amino acids. From understanding plant physiology to building more resilient turf, this episode offers valuable insight into the science behind carbon-based fertility. 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/

October 22, 20261 hr 16 min

The EW Podcast - Kevin Hicks with Tyler Bloom - The Changing Role of the Golf Course Superintendent

Kevin Hicks welcomes Tyler Bloom of Bloom Golf Partners back to The EarthWorks Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, communication, and the changing expectations of golf course superintendents. What started as a discussion about club governance and the relationship between superintendents and greens committees quickly expands into the challenges of managing expectations, navigating club politics, and protecting your career. Kevin and Tyler share personal experiences and discuss why superintendents need to take a more proactive role in club leadership. The conversation also explores the growing importance of equipment managers, the challenges of recruiting and retaining qualified staff, and how robotic mowers and artificial intelligence are changing golf course operations. Through it all, one message stands out: Technology and data are powerful tools, but they can't replace experience, relationships, and good judgment. It's an honest, insightful conversation about what it takes to succeed as a superintendent in today's golf industry. 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/

October 15, 202650 min

The EW Podcast - Joel Simmons with PJ Ringenberger - Competitions Agronomist, PGA TOUR

Joel Simmons sits down with PJ Ringenberger, Competitions Agronomist for the PGA TOUR, at Lehigh Country Club during the Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic for a fascinating look behind the scenes of professional tournament golf. What does it take to prepare a golf course for a PGA TOUR Champions event? PJ explains how months of planning, agronomic expertise, staffing coordination, and daily course preparation come together to deliver championship conditions. From managing green speeds and navigating unpredictable weather to coordinating more than 60 crew members and volunteers, the details go far beyond turf management. PJ also shares his journey from golf course superintendent to PGA TOUR agronomist, including his experiences at some of the world's finest courses and the devastating California wildfires that changed his life. The conversation explores the challenges of maintaining historic golf courses, the importance of building relationships with superintendents, and why sharing knowledge continues to elevate the turf industry. 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/

October 8, 20261 hr 2 min

The EW Podcast - The Jefferson Classic - Lehigh Country Club

The EarthWorks story and Lehigh Country Club have been connected for more than 35 years. During the inaugural Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic, Joel Simmons and Jack Higgins sat down with the team responsible for preparing this historic William Flynn golf course for its first PGA TOUR Champions event. Joel talks with longtime Director of Grounds John Chassard about their decades of friendship, the evolution of the property, and how some of EarthWorks’ earliest work and product development took place right here at Lehigh. Jack continues the conversation with Golf Course Superintendent Jim Lanza, Assistant Superintendents Dan Barone and Gavin Durkin, and Assistant in Training Derek Kressler. It’s a conversation about much more than tournament preparation. It’s about great golf course management, building a strong team, passing along decades of knowledge, and a relationship between Lehigh Country Club and EarthWorks that helped shape both organizations. 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/

October 1, 20261 hr 3 min

The EW Podcast - Joel Simmons with John Reilly - Part 2 Sand Injection

There was plenty left to discuss after John Reilly’s last visit, so Joel Simmons brought him back to continue the conversation. This time, they shift from paspalum to sand and amendment injection and the work John is doing with his company, Fundamental Inputs Right Management, or F.I.R.M. John explains how his experience with DryJect as a superintendent turned him into a believer in sand injection and how that work has expanded beyond golf greens to tee boxes, approaches, landing areas, and sports turf. They discuss managing ligneous thatch by converting it into usable organic matter rather than simply removing it, along with John’s experience performing multiple injections in the same week while maintaining rapid recovery. The conversation also explores physical testing, how John uses data to evaluate playing surfaces, and the different physical amendments being incorporated into injection programs. It’s a practical discussion about aerification, soil modification, recovery, and creating firmer, better-performing 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/

September 24, 20261 hr 11 min

The EW Podcast - Joel Simmons with Dave Wilber - What’s Really in Your Irrigation Water?

Dave Wilber has been one of the most popular guests on the EarthWorks Podcast since its beginning, and this conversation shows why. Dave joins Joel Simmons for a deep dive into irrigation water quality and the impact water chemistry can have on turf, soil structure, and biology. They start with how to properly interpret a water report, including why pH readings can change depending on how a water sample is handled. From there, they explore sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), the effects of sodium on soil flocculation and microbial activity, and how bicarbonates can contribute to localized dry spots. The conversation also covers sodium-induced wilt and the critical balance between potassium and sodium in the root zone. Dave also shares some of the work he is doing with Turf Rad and how new technology is helping turf managers better understand conditions below the surface. A technical but highly practical conversation about one of the most important inputs on any golf course: water. 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/

September 17, 202650 min

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/

September 10, 20261 hr 2 min

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/

September 3, 202656 min

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/