Field Science
12 SportsTurf | January 2015 www.sportsturfonline.com
then mow the area at the mower's lowest setting. Five to 6 weeks
before the last frost date, seed right into the low mowed area
with a seeder that has some soil disruption and install blankets.
Then follow the above instructions starting at step three. With no
application of quinclorac anticipate that weeds will be a big issue.
Blankets will have to be pulled back to mow the weeds. Elevation
of the blankets will be a sure sign of weed growth. Next year with
preemergent use 100% bermudagrass coverage will be achieved.
Important test InformatIon
A test was run to evaluate the best overall process for the dor-
mant seeding strategy. For all situations a seed bed prepared with
a Harley Rake and a blanket was used.
1. Control: Seed, cover with blanket
a. Weeds: heavy pressure of crabgrass, broadleaf (90%
controlled by end of season)
b. Bermuda: 90% coverage by end of season, low to
medium density
c. Ready: 1 August
2. Compost: Seed, cover with ¼ inch compost, cover with blanket
a. Weeds: crabgrass on steroids, broadleaf (90% controlled
by end of season)
b. Bermudagrass: 90% coverage by end of season,
medium density c. Ready: 1 August
3. Apply quinclorac: Seed, spray quinclorac over the top, cover
with blanket
a. Weeds: very low, 100% control by end of season
b. Bermudagrass: 100% coverage by end of season,
high density
c. Ready: 1 August
4. Apply quinclorac and compost: seed, spray quinclorac over
the top, cover ¼ inch compost, cover with blanket
a. Weeds: very low, 100% control by end of season
b. Bermudagrass: very high density
c. Ready: 1 July
Recommendation: All will work so in the end it comes down to
your budget. Use of both compost and quinclorac is the best option
but if you have to choose one over the other choose quinclorac.
For the past 5 years we have established a bermudagrass prac-
tice field every. All were seeded in March without irrigation and
then in full use by our soccer or football teams in August. Our
plan this year is to convert a 1.2 acre, little-used field space in a
remote park into a bermudagrass soccer/football practice field.
We all know the phrase "If you build it they will come."
Converting areas to bermudagrass without irrigation has
been extremely successful in many ways. As soon as the signs
for new fields are seen by the users they will want their name on
the list for its use. The goal of diverting practices from the game
fields has been achieved; this past year there were 337 practice
events on these four practice fields. ■
ST
Michael A. Skelton is parks superintendent for Culpeper County,
VA and president of the Virginia Sports Turf Managers Association
Virginia Chapter.
Field 2 after: Practice field 2 after bermuda conversion
