Skip to main content
Appalachian Today
News and events at Appalachian State University
  • For the media
  • COVID updates
  • Contact
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • Podcasts
  • In the Media
  • Grants
  • Speakers
  • All Posts
  • Topics
  • Accolades
  • Alumni
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Athletics
  • Awards and Honors
  • Community Engagement
  • Diversity
  • Events
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Gifts and Grants
  • Global
  • Health and Wellness
  • Publications
  • Research
  • Safety
  • Scholarships
  • Students
  • Sustainability
☰ Menu
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • Podcasts
  • In the Media
  • Grants
  • Speakers
  • All Posts
  • Topics
  • For the media
  • COVID updates
  • Contact
View larger image

Max Alff, compost operations coordinator for Appalachian State University’s Landscape Services, is pictured in front of a fenced area on Sanford Mall, where he spearheaded an extensive turf restoration to allow the area to better withstand heavy foot traffic and recreational use by the Appalachian Community. Photo by Marie Freeman

Seeds of change: App State cultivates a lush lawn on Sanford Mall

“Through proper species and variety selection, responsible and judicious use of fertilizers and pesticides, and modern, science-based horticultural practices, we can maintain a healthy, beautiful and sustainable campus landscape.”

Max Alff, compost operations coordinator for Appalachian’s Landscape Services

By Megan Bruffy
Posted Aug. 14, 2020 at 9:52 a.m.

BOONE, N.C. — With the majority of Appalachian State University’s students, faculty and staff off-site in summer 2020 due to COVID-19, the university’s Landscape Services team took the largely empty campus as an opportunity to cultivate more durable turf in a high-profile area.

“Through proper species and variety selection, responsible and judicious use of fertilizers and pesticides, and modern, science-based horticultural practices, we can maintain a healthy, beautiful and sustainable campus landscape.”

Max Alff, compost operations coordinator for Appalachian’s Landscape Services

After nearly three months of significant restoration — which included enriching the area with organic compost from Campus Dining and other areas of the university — the large grassy areas on Sanford Mall can now better withstand sustained amounts of high foot traffic and recreational use by the Appalachian Community. Prior to the restoration, the area had been significantly compacted from heavy use and, in many spots, the turf had deteriorated into patches of dirt and weeds.

View larger image

Appalachian State University’s Sanford Mall, pictured in August, underwent an extensive turf restoration by the university’s Landscape Services team during summer 2020 to allow the area to better withstand heavy foot traffic and recreational use by the Appalachian Community. Photo by Marie Freeman

Restoring Sanford Mall

Alff and his team followed these turf management best practices to create a lush lawn on Sanford Mall:

  1. Till. Only soil in the fenced area had to be tilled because of its significant deterioration.
  2. Aerate. All untilled areas were aerated — a process that involves pulling small cores of soil from the compacted ground — to increase moisture and air flow to the soil.
  3. Improve soil health. The crew applied nearly 25 yards of compost from Appalachian’s composting facility — a savings of more than $1,000 by using on-campus resources — to increase the percentage of organic matter in the soil and to add nutrients that were lacking, according to soil test reports.
  4. Overseed. Cool season grass varieties were overseeded multiple times on all areas of Sanford Mall.
  5. Smooth. The team used a roller to smooth the surface and ensure the turf was both aesthetically pleasing and functional.

Max Alff, compost operations coordinator for Landscape Services, who is currently pursuing a master’s degree in horticultural science at North Carolina State University, led the project with the help of an eight-person team from Landscape Services, a unit of Appalachian’s Facilities Operations.

He said the team reviewed similar projects from across the country and assessed data from the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program, which shares information about the testing and adaptation of major turfgrass species.

“We used the data to decide what was going to be best for our part of the state and the conditions we’re dealing with specifically on Sanford Mall,” Alff said.

Because of year-round wear and tear, many areas of campus present distinct challenges for maintaining landscaping, Alff said. He said one of the greatest challenges is compaction, caused by the weight of continuous foot traffic. Alff used the Sanford Mall project to compare two different approaches to turf restoration and develop a case study for his department on best practices for future projects.

View larger image
View larger image

Appalachian State University’s Landscape Services team completed an extensive turf restoration of Sanford Mall during summer 2020 to allow the area to better withstand heavy foot traffic and recreational use by the Appalachian Community. Prior to the restoration, the area had been significantly worn down from heavy use and, in many spots, the turf had deteriorated into patches of dirt and weeds, as seen in these photos. Photos submitted

Since Sanford Mall is divided by a central sidewalk, Alff fenced off a heavily deteriorated area on its right side — adjacent to Lillie Shull Dougherty Hall and Sanford Hall — to receive more intensive work without foot traffic, and kept the left side — adjacent to Anne Belk Hall and Plemmons Student Union — open to foot traffic to assess the results of a more hands-off application.

Alff said both sides performed as expected and both methods are viable options for future turf management projects.

“A more intensive approach will nearly always work better,” Alff said, “but the less intensive approach works well for areas that cannot be drastically altered.”

View larger image

Max Alff, compost operations coordinator for Appalachian State University’s Landscape Services, drives a tractor with a tiller across Sanford Mall as part of an extensive turf restoration to allow the area to better withstand heavy foot traffic and recreational use by the Appalachian Community. Photo submitted

Mending the turf

The idea for the Sanford Mall restoration arose from a conversation between Alff and his colleagues about a course Alff was taking focused on soil fertility. From there, they began discussing ways to apply both practices on a space in need, such as Sanford Mall.

Before the project began, Alff had the soil tested to determine what steps needed to be taken to improve the health of the turf and ensure any changes would be long-lasting. He also spent a significant amount of time researching varieties of grass to use on Sanford Mall and, ultimately, he selected a mix of seeds akin to those used on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

View larger image

As part of an extensive turf restoration on Sanford Mall, Appalachian State University’s Landscape Services team had the nutrient content of the soil tested. Pictured is the soil probe the team used to gather samples from several spots on Sanford Mall in order to create a representative sample of the entire area. Photo submitted

Landscape Services’ Sanford Mall turf restoration team
  • Max Alff, compost operations coordinator.
  • Dan Burleson, horticultural specialist.
  • Ernie Coley, horticultural specialist.
  • Hunter Greer, horticultural specialist.
  • Matt Hardin, horticultural specialist.
  • David Isaacs, facilities superintendent.
  • Chad McCrary, horticultural specialist.
  • Matt Obiso, horticultural specialist.
  • Shane Reece, vehicle/equipment operator.

Using multiple varieties of seeds helps mitigate potential issues, Alff said. The chosen seeds — a mix of Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue — provide a wide spectrum of cross-disease prevention because they are each resistant to the primary diseases the other is susceptible to contracting.

“The greater diversity you can have in your grass seed, the better,” Alff said.

In September, when temperatures begin to cool, the Landscape Services team will continue their work by aerating and overseeding again to ensure the turf remains in optimal condition.

“Through proper species and variety selection, responsible and judicious use of fertilizers and pesticides, and modern, science-based horticultural practices, we can maintain a healthy, beautiful and sustainable campus landscape,” Alff said.

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Restoring Sanford Mall

Alff and his team followed these turf management best practices to create a lush lawn on Sanford Mall:

  1. Till. Only soil in the fenced area had to be tilled because of its significant deterioration.
  2. Aerate. All untilled areas were aerated — a process that involves pulling small cores of soil from the compacted ground — to increase moisture and air flow to the soil.
  3. Improve soil health. The crew applied nearly 25 yards of compost from Appalachian’s composting facility — a savings of more than $1,000 by using on-campus resources — to increase the percentage of organic matter in the soil and to add nutrients that were lacking, according to soil test reports.
  4. Overseed. Cool season grass varieties were overseeded multiple times on all areas of Sanford Mall.
  5. Smooth. The team used a roller to smooth the surface and ensure the turf was both aesthetically pleasing and functional.
Landscape Services’ Sanford Mall turf restoration team
  • Max Alff, compost operations coordinator.
  • Dan Burleson, horticultural specialist.
  • Ernie Coley, horticultural specialist.
  • Hunter Greer, horticultural specialist.
  • Matt Hardin, horticultural specialist.
  • David Isaacs, facilities superintendent.
  • Chad McCrary, horticultural specialist.
  • Matt Obiso, horticultural specialist.
  • Shane Reece, vehicle/equipment operator.
Breaking Down Appalachian State’s Composting Efforts
Breaking Down Appalachian State’s Composting Efforts
Office of Sustainability
May 10, 2019

Composting is nothing new at Appalachian State, which has had a program in place since 1999. The facility, located at State Farm, is permitted in the state of NC as a Type III compost facility, and has the ability to accept yard/garden waste, wood waste, pre- and post-consumer food wastes including meats and dairy, as well as manure and agricultural waste.

Read the story

About Appalachian’s Facilities Operations

Facilities Operations at Appalachian State University manages operations of campus buildings, systems and utilities, as well as water treatment and steam plants that serve the campus. Services provided by Facilities Operations include housekeeping, landscaping, moving furniture and other items, and managing motor pool fleet rentals. The campus unit employees over 275 skilled technicians — including engineers, locksmiths, electricians, painters, plumbers, carpenters, roofers, welders, controls programmers, housekeepers, landscapers, mechanics and HVAC technicians. Learn more at https://facilitiesoperations.appstate.edu.

About Sustainability at Appalachian

Appalachian State University’s leadership in sustainability is known nationally. The university’s holistic, three-branched approach considers sustainability economically, environmentally and equitably in relationship to the planet’s co-inhabitants. The university is an active steward of the state’s interconnected financial, cultural and natural resources and challenges students and others think critically and creatively about sustainability and what it means from the smallest individual action to the most broad-based applications. The university offers both undergraduate and graduate academic degree programs that focus on sustainability. In addition, 100 percent of Appalachian’s academic departments offer at least one sustainability course or course that includes sustainability, and all students graduate from programs that have adopted at least one sustainability learning outcome. Learn more at https://appstate.edu/sustainability.

About Appalachian State University

As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls nearly 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.

“Through proper species and variety selection, responsible and judicious use of fertilizers and pesticides, and modern, science-based horticultural practices, we can maintain a healthy, beautiful and sustainable campus landscape.”

Max Alff, compost operations coordinator for Appalachian’s Landscape Services

Restoring Sanford Mall

Alff and his team followed these turf management best practices to create a lush lawn on Sanford Mall:

  1. Till. Only soil in the fenced area had to be tilled because of its significant deterioration.
  2. Aerate. All untilled areas were aerated — a process that involves pulling small cores of soil from the compacted ground — to increase moisture and air flow to the soil.
  3. Improve soil health. The crew applied nearly 25 yards of compost from Appalachian’s composting facility — a savings of more than $1,000 by using on-campus resources — to increase the percentage of organic matter in the soil and to add nutrients that were lacking, according to soil test reports.
  4. Overseed. Cool season grass varieties were overseeded multiple times on all areas of Sanford Mall.
  5. Smooth. The team used a roller to smooth the surface and ensure the turf was both aesthetically pleasing and functional.
Landscape Services’ Sanford Mall turf restoration team
  • Max Alff, compost operations coordinator.
  • Dan Burleson, horticultural specialist.
  • Ernie Coley, horticultural specialist.
  • Hunter Greer, horticultural specialist.
  • Matt Hardin, horticultural specialist.
  • David Isaacs, facilities superintendent.
  • Chad McCrary, horticultural specialist.
  • Matt Obiso, horticultural specialist.
  • Shane Reece, vehicle/equipment operator.
Breaking Down Appalachian State’s Composting Efforts
Breaking Down Appalachian State’s Composting Efforts
Office of Sustainability
May 10, 2019

Composting is nothing new at Appalachian State, which has had a program in place since 1999. The facility, located at State Farm, is permitted in the state of NC as a Type III compost facility, and has the ability to accept yard/garden waste, wood waste, pre- and post-consumer food wastes including meats and dairy, as well as manure and agricultural waste.

Read the story

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Share

Topics

  • Faculty and Staff
  • Sustainability

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

The migration of materials from other sites is still incomplete, so if you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Additional feature stories may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Photo galleries and videos published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian

Share

Topics

  • Faculty and Staff
  • Sustainability

Other Recent Posts

  • Campus emergency siren test to be conducted <span style="white-space: nowrap;">April 5</span>
    Campus emergency siren test to be conducted April 5
  • Troy Johnson named vice chancellor of enrollment management at App State
    Troy Johnson named vice chancellor of enrollment management at App State
  • From waste to wear: App State alumna develops sustainable pigments for fashion, printing industries
    From waste to wear: App State alumna develops sustainable pigments for fashion, printing industries
  • <span style="color: #bc8801;">Appalachian Outdoorosity:</span> Dressing for the Cold (Part 2)
    Appalachian Outdoorosity: Dressing for the Cold (Part 2)
  • Appalachian Journal marks 50 years of spotlighting Appalachia
    Appalachian Journal marks 50 years of spotlighting Appalachia
  • Honoring women’s leadership and history at App State
    Honoring women’s leadership and history at App State
  • Lumbee tribal flag now hangs in App State’s student union, honoring the Lumbee people and their history
    Lumbee tribal flag now hangs in App State’s student union, honoring the Lumbee people and their history
  • Fact check: Mushrooms share more DNA with humans than plants [faculty featured]
    Fact check: Mushrooms share more DNA with humans than plants [faculty featured]
    USA Today
  • Since 1958, App State's Southern Appalachian plant collection has aided research, teaching and conservation
    Since 1958, App State's Southern Appalachian plant collection has aided research, teaching and conservation
  • <span style="color: #bc8801;">SoundAffect:</span> Daniel E. Dawes, JD on how to overcome deep-rooted challenges in the American health care system
    SoundAffect: Daniel E. Dawes, JD on how to overcome deep-rooted challenges in the American health care system
  • App State Office of Diversity brings monthly read-alouds to lab schools
    App State Office of Diversity brings monthly read-alouds to lab schools
  • 5 award-winning authors to visit App State for spring 2023 Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series
    5 award-winning authors to visit App State for spring 2023 Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

The migration of materials from other sites is still incomplete, so if you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Additional feature stories may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Photo galleries and videos published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
  • Events
  • Videos
  • Galleries
  • In the Media
  • Grants
  • Speakers
  • All Posts
  • Topics
  • For the media
  • COVID updates
  • Contact

App State

Copyright 2023 Appalachian State University. All rights reserved.

University Communications
ASU Box 32153
Boone, NC 28608
828-262-6156
ucomm@appstate.edu

Abouts

Disclaimer | EO Policy | Accessibility | Website manager: montaldipa (beltmr) .. | Website Feedback

Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram LinkedIn Snapchat