FieldScience | By Jim Puhalla
Sound maintenance
practices are a must
including: soil
testing, fertilization,
mowing, irrigation,
aeration, seeding
(if necessary),
and pest control
(weeds, insects,
and disease).
HERE'S THE SAME FIELD 4 YEARS LATER at the end of a season after hosting 70 events, and after reconstruction and yearly renovation.
No more muddy
football fields
J
UST AS TECHNOLOGY to produce better synthetic turf football
fields improved over the past decade,
so has the technology for real turf
football fields. The ideas presented here for
football fields can be used for other fields that
have trouble keeping a thick stand of grass like
8 SportsTurf | July 2013
soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, and rugby fields.
This article includes the most recent recommendations for grass football fields (grown on
native soil) to keep fields thriving. We will explore the latest technology in football field
construction, reconstruction, and renovation
that makes this possible. The recommenda-
tions for keeping fields thriving in
wet climates also work for fields in
dry climates. Soil structure and pore
space are the key elements.
Here are some particulars to consider for real turf football fields that
host up to 70 events per year. In the
north, Kentucky bluegrass fields
should have a yearly rest period of
one full growing season in the
spring. For football fields in the
south, bermudagrass fields can be
overseeded in the fall for winter and
spring sports with a rest period in
the summer. Sound maintenance
practices are a must including: soil
testing, fertilization, mowing, irrigation, aeration, seeding (if necessary),
and pest control (weeds, insects, and
disease). Commit to a yearly renovation program and replace the sod
every 10 years. Most facilities that
have real turf football fields should
be able to afford these easy to follow,
full-proof methods. (See ESTIMATED BUDGET at the end of
this article.)
CONSTRUCTION
AND RECONSTRUCTION
For an existing field, remove the
grass, treat the soil, grade, and sod.
If the budget allows, install irrigation and subsurface drainage before
sodding. For a new field, start with
treating the soil.
Existing Grass Removal. The
easiest and least expensive way to re-
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