SportsTurf provides current, practical and technical content on issues relevant to sports turf managers, including facilities managers. Most readers are athletic field managers from the professional level through parks and recreation, universities.
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/621615
www.stma.org January 2016 | SportsTurf 15 tance and one might have better insect resistance. This will provide a better chance of the lawn surviving different conditions. Also, a local turfgrass exten- sion specialist or college representative can provide tremendous practical or research-based information to help a turf grower/manager be as successful as possible. Timing of the seeding is also impor- tant, says Dr. Brian Horgan, extension turfgrass specialist at the University of Minnesota, "Often, soil moisture dic- tates the time in which we can get onto our fields to seed. Too wet and you will do more damage. If your fields tend to be wet in the spring, consider dormant seeding to have the seed in place when conditions are right for germination. Soil conditions and air temperatures drive much of your ability to be suc- cessful with early spring seedings." Frever opines that soil conditions can spell the difference between suc- cess and failure. "To understand your soil means to test your soil. Spend some extra money and work with a consul- tant to make corrections to the soil for optimum turf performance. Match your soil to the sport and never stop learning about soil." On sand-based fields, turf growers/ managers have more control on when to seed, assuming there is an irrigation system to keep the seeds moist. Heavier textured soils can stay cooler longer or wetter longer. Use lightweight equip- ment to seed or dormant seeding may be a best option. In highly worn areas, seed often and don't worry about the seeding rates. Says Dr. Horgan, "You are, in effect, managing an annual grass system, treat it like an annual and don't worry about competition by plants. This is not to say that you should do this across the entire field, but identify those areas that should be treated dif- ferently and don't be afraid to treat them differently." Although the time of year that the leaves fall has traditionally been con- sidered the best time to seed for the following year, "we seed whenever con- ditions are favorable," says Randy M. Haffling, general services manager at Moravian College, "We look at the long- range forecast to determine when to seed, so that temperature and moisture will ensure a successful establishment of new grass." Tongue placed firmly in cheek, Fowler recommends not planting dur- ing a "thunder and lightning storm or a tornado," but other than that any day is a good day to put seed in the ground. "If you don't have irrigation, time the seeding so that rain will speed up germination. Waiting until too late in the spring to plant without irrigation will put your success rate in jeopardy." Early seeding gives the new seeds a chance to mature before they are played on. "If you are overseeding an already established field your reentry for play is sooner than when seeding an entire field. If you are seeding a new field make certain that you have enough time for the seed to mature before it receives play pressure." Brad Jakubowski, instructor of envi- ronmental sciences at Doane College, concurs that even though fall is con- sidered the optimum time to establish grass by seed, spring can be a good opportunity to give fields a "kick-start" to the season. "Remember, if in doubt apply seed." Jakubowski advises studying the condition of the field; fill low spots, or make corrections to prescribed grades to ensure proper surface drainage and safe playing conditions before seed- ing. "As we know, seed-soil contact is paramount to getting grass growing efficiently. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways. Seeding in conjunc- tion with aerification and verticutting are two of our best methods. Seeding in multiple layers or combining aerifica- tion and verticutting is also very good. Lately, we have been preseeding fields before aerification or verticutting."