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: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/32290
F.O.Y. | Glen Allen Stadium to home plate. We have overcome the issue at first and third base by modifying the radius cutout to accommodate the players’ cheating in toward home plate. We still must re-sod in front of the mound every August; it is simply the cost of doing business. The walkways to home have also been cut out to avoid re-sodding there. I admit I didn’t want to do this but did so at the request of the County Manager and Board Su- pervisor for the district; it does require more daily maintenance but the look is consistent and it is not thin and patched. “Another big challenge is that since the reno- vation in 2006 we have battled a major infesta- tion of Spring Dead Spot. The first summer we patched some areas, aggressively grew in other areas, and treated with Rubigan at the end of summer. We used two half rates of 4 oz/1000 spaced 6 weeks apart. We had great results the following year but then we used only a single, full rate of Rubigan the following year, at the be- ginning of fall. The results were almost a com- plete reversal of the gains we had made the previous year. We have since returned to the two split applications with very good results.” SPORTSTURF: What changes are you making to your maintenance plan for 2011, if any? HENDERSON:We are not making any big changes this year to our normal schedule, but I think we always try to tweak things to make bet- ter use of manpower and materials. The schedule for our fields pretty much dictates our daily rou- tine and we try to keep everything game ready. Of course, weather always plays a role in what we do, but the stadium field drains so well that rain is usually not an issue for an event if we need to cover the infield. Monthly maintenance & fertility program AS SOON AS TRYOUTS AND PRACTICES START in the middle or late February, the in- field skin area is maintained daily, including the pitching mound and home plate areas. This practice lasts until the end of October. Amendments such as Turface and Quick Dry are applied as needed. Edging is performed as needed. Due to the structure of the root- zone we must irrigate almost daily from April through mid-October. Fertilization require- ments vary depending on how much rain we get. In general, we apply approximately 6 lbs N/1000 sq ft per year to the outfield and up to 8.5 lbs N/1000 sq ft to the infield and sidelines due to the heavier traffic. January/February In the past we have covered the field with turf blankets but it appears that the rye- grass actually performs better when not covered. The TifSport bermuda tends to green up late anyway and other than Spring Dead Spot issues it is usually not affected too much by winter. The biggest challenge this time of year is managing freeze/thaw con- ditions on the skin. We tend to let weather conditions dictate playability. March The irrigation system is checked for problems and adjusted as needed. Soil samples are taken for analysis. The field is mowed as needed, which usually is 1-2x/week in March. The skin areas are maintained daily. Freeze/thaw conditions can make dragging a challenge but typically by the middle of this month temperatures are not an issue. Base paths and the infield arc are edged as necessary. Ronstar @ 3 lbs AI (0-0-7 carrier) is applied for pre-emerge weed control. We also fertilize the ryegrass @ .5 lbs N/1000 sq ft. April Practices and games are now daily events. Mowing frequency is increased to 3x/week. We fertilize in mid-month @ .75 lbs N and K per 1000 sq ft. May Mowing frequency is 3x/week in all areas. Height of cut is reduced from ¾ to 5/8 inches. Turf is fertilized with 1.5 lbs N/1000 sq ft to push the bermuda out of dormancy. June Mowing frequency is still 3x/week except during major tournaments when we mow daily. Ryegrass is completely transitioned out with Revolver during the last week of June. Turf is fertilized with 1 lb N and K per 1000 sq ft. July Mowing is reduced to biweekly with a Primo application @ .25 oz/1000 sq ft. This practice seems to reduce stress in high-traffic areas. We continue to fertilize @ .75 lbs N and K per 1000 sq ft. We topdress lightly with 100% sand during the second week to help reduce thatch and keep the playing surface as smooth as possible. August We apply Primo @ .5 oz/1000 sq ft and continue to mow bi-weekly. We aerate the entire field with 5 x 5/8-inch coring tines, drag cores, and collect remaining thatch. We topdress and drag as needed to achieve smooth surface. Fertilize with 1 lb N and K per 1000 sq ft. September We apply Primo @ .67 oz/1000 sq ft the second week of this month to prepare for overseeding. Fertilize @ 1.5 lb potash/1000 sq ft (5-10-30 with 7% Fe). Overseed with perennial rye at the end of the month (Allied Seeds ASP 6000 blend) @ 500 lbs/acre. We discontinue mowing until the rye is strong enough to withstand cutting, usually about 3 weeks. We roll the turf as needed for play. October Raise the height of cut back to ¾ inches and restart mowing operations around the middle of this month. Fertilize @ .75 lb N/1000 sq ft. November/December Mow as needed. Fertilize as needed with no more than .5 lb N/1000 sq ft. 38 SportsTurf | June 2011 www.sportsturfonline.com