20 SportsTurf | June 2014 www.sportsturfonline.com
Field Science | By Julie Adamski
In the heart of the facility sits the Maureen Hendricks Field.
In 2012, our crew decided that even though the stadium pitch
was good, it could be better. The end goal of our thinking was
for the pitch to be able to sustain more use while requiring less
water and fungicides.
To make the pitch the best that it could be it needed to be
renovated due to three main reasons: to remove the built-up
organic layer, to eradicate the inheritedPoa annua population,
and to return the pitch to its original grade.
The pitch consisted of a 4-inch heavy organic layer. This
layer was comprised of 11/2-inch thick cut sod and 21/2
inches of organic build-up that was consistent with all fields
in our complex over a 12-year span. Clippings and the use
of low-quality organic compost caused this organic layer. By
From Seed
To playing in 35 dayS
Just 35 miles northwest of washington, DC, sits an athletic oasis. Each year, thousands
of athletes from around the world visit the Maryland SoccerPlex, a 600-acre park consisting of 22 pitches.
The facility includes 16 native soil pitches (9 cool season, 7 bermudagrass), three sand-based pitches (1 cool
season, 2 bermudagrass), and three synthetic fields. The Soccerplex has hosted everything from MLS Open
Cup matches to the University of Maryland rugby team.
Dimple seeding
Adding ≤ inch of topdressing First day of mowing 20 days after seeding The organic layer