A rugged expanse of exposed black dirt at an Iowa State University research farm will soon take on the lush emerald color of the outfield of a professional ballpark.
The four-acre stretch located at the ISU Horticulture Research Station north of Ames will allow researchers to experiment with soil content and management practices to improve sports turf across the Midwest.
A pair of research associates began tearing up the section of ground with a bulldozer last week, moving between 5,000 and 6,000 cubic yards of soil. Once all that dirt’s been leveled, they’ll plant a mixture of primarily Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass, which is consistent with most sports fields in the Midwest.
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