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/560546
www.stma.org September 2015 | SportsTurf 31 into the sub-surface of the soil. The problem with this technique is that not only will oxygen enter into the soil but also it allows for carbon dioxide to enter. The buildup of the carbon dioxide, which is heavier than oxygen, means that it will always settle to the bot- tom of every hole that was created. As CO 2 builds up through such changes; atmospheric, plant respiration and microbial activity has and always will force the oxygen out due to the atomic structure of each compound molecule. It's for these reasons that roots have a tendency to shorten during stressful periods The sports turf and the golf industries view aeration as a "preventative" cultural practice and, the user (player, coach or club member) views it "as needed" or "curative" cultural practice. Aeration has always been viewed as a "need or want" from the turf manager but it is actually what you're allowed to do by users! The less disruptive, the more you can aerate. ANNE BECKINGHAM, Vassar College I like to use both hollow and solid tines. I also like to use different sized solid tines depending on what time of the year it is and what I'm using them for. I normally try to solid tine the fields mid spring, weather per- mitting. I'll use a ¾" tine for this time of year and if I get a good window to aerate, try to go two ways. I've always had a poa prob- lem, so rather than pull cores, I'll stick to the solid tines so the seed bank doesn't get disturbed. I've been known to aerate (with the ¼" tine) goalmouths, bench areas, and ref 's areas, middle of the field; anything that looks like its getting worn during the fall season. I have done this before games and really take special care to still keep the field in great playing condition. Past years we have used our old Ryan TrackAire to slice the turf two ways. Anything to get air and water moving for the roots! We are prolific seeders! I'll aerate these areas, then seed and topdress. We just stay right on top of the fields constantly in these areas. While the fields look like they are getting beat up (and they are) the growth the following spring is amazing and it's because of all the maintenance that took place in the fall. Normally, I'll pull cores mid October through November on all the fields. This is the time of year that I really feel that pulling cores is the most beneficial practice of all as far as turfgrass health. Removing all of that compacted, tired soil and turf and then renewing it with seed and sand keeps our fields in top condition. I have also "spot" core aerated soccer goals, the baseball diamond, and other areas during the fall season. In my opinion, if your turf is tired or even pretty healthy, this aggressive maintenance will just make it stronger. The biggest benefit of aeration is that it's really the only way to combat compaction in your field. If your field is compacted, then the plant is stressed. And, then the opportunity for weeds, disease and insects to move in will be available for take over. Aeration is probably the most important mechanical maintenance practice that your field should get. I think the biggest problem is weather! As everyone knows, aeration takes time. And, it's messy, especially when cores are involved. I try to schedule it when the teams are away for games or for break in October. I have waited also waited until season is finished. I like to keep track of how the teams are doing in their sea- sons. It's important not to disturb their flow!! I'll try to get one field completely finished before I start another depending on coaches schedules, games, weather or anything else that might cause diffi- culty. We have good communication with our coaches so everyone is on the same page. STAN MOSCRIP, GreensGroomer WorldWide Hollow tines are used primarily for two reasons. One, to remove unwanted soils and thatch from the existing soil profile in order to change the composition by replacing with a desired product such as sand to promote agronomic health and conditions. By gathering and removing the cored existing soil as part of a regular mainte- nance program, over time, the profile of the field can be modified drastically. The second reason would be to accomplish the goal of relieving compaction of existing soils and promoting proper drainage. By coring and removing dense and compacted soil, and then filling the core holes with a product that allows the free move- ment of water and air through the soil profile, drainage issues can be alleviated. Solid tines are used primarily for promoting a "quick opening" solution to alleviate an "acute" issue such as a need to introduce seed to soil contact for germination in the short term, or to allow the movement of air or water deeper into the profile. Primarily by being prepared through advanced planning. Having a pre-aerification checklist that covers all of the even- tualities of the process is important. Visualize what you want to accomplish and then plan accordingly. Aerification is a violent process that, when done well, is of the utmost benefit to the health of the grass plants and soil profiles on your property. Having the needed equipment well maintained, a fully functioning irriga- tion system, waiting for proper weather conditions, and an action plan in place, is of the utmost of importance. This is true whether a simple solid tine run is made in order to overseed between the hashes, or whether a full out core aerification and topdressing pro- gram is used. Far too often, challenges arise that could have been met through proper prep. DON SCHOLL, CSFM, City of Tracy, CA Our turf management program incorporates both solid and hol- low tine aeration. When I started with Tracy we had only one pull-behind core aerator. That unit still serves us well, but our inventory now also includes both a large deep-tine aerator and a smaller ride-on deep-tine aerator; a walk-behind small area unit; as well as a larger slice aerator. Depending on the time of year, upcoming scheduled sports uses, the goal of the project (e.g. overseeding, compaction reduction; temporary drainage improve- ment, etc.), field conditions, and frankly, available staff time, the type, size and angle of the tines will vary. Tracy's sports fields and parks have very tight, compacted soils. I am a huge proponent of the benefits of aerating so we tend to be aggressive in our aerating and will use anywhere from ½-1" solid tines and ¾-1 ¼" hollow tines; length/depth will vary from the 3-4