Winter Athletic Field Maintenance Calendar for the ... - STMA
Winter Athletic Field Maintenance Calendar for the ... - STMA Winter Athletic Field Maintenance Calendar for the ... - STMA
Winter Athletic Field Maintenance Calendar forthe Transition Zone: December – FebruaryTimingBermudagrass fieldsFertilizer applications are unnecessary on dormantbermudagrass fields.Bermudagrass fields overseeded with perennial, annual,and intermediate ryegrass perform best with monthlyapplications of fertilizer. Small amounts of water solubleN (up to 0.5 lb. N / 1000 square feet) every four weekscan benefit winter trafficked fields in the warmer parts ofthe transition zone. However, turfgrass growth potentialis very low when air temperatures are less than 50 degreesFahrenheit. Fertilize only when plant response is possibleand never apply fertilizer to frozen soils. As temperatureswarm in late winter or early spring, appropriate fertilizationwill encourage growth, color, and recovery of turf.Applications of potassium at this time are also beneficialto fields. Potassium will help in decreasing potential forwinterkill.Cool Season Turfgrass FieldsWinter is not an ideal time to apply fertilizer on coolseason turfgrass fields. However, fertilizer may need tobe applied this late in the season if the last game on thefall sports schedule occurs in December. Water solublenitrogen can be applied at 1-2 pounds per 1000 square feetto promote early spring green up. Late season fertilizationshould occur only when shoot growth stops, grass is stillgreen and before the soil freezes. Application to frozensoils can negatively impact water quality due to runoff.Applications of potassium at this time are also beneficialto fields. Potassium will help in decreasing potential forwinterkill.Special ConsiderationsIf growth blankets are being used, monitor your turf areasclosely when applying nitrogen. If a winter is wet andwarm, excessive nitrogen can lead to disease problems.Photo courtesy of James Brosnan, Ph.D.Soil TestingSoil tests should be conducted on a routine basis –every one (sand-based fields) to three (native soil fields)years is recommended. A soil test will analyze nutrientrequirements, pH, phosphorus and potassium levels, andwill provide the best guide to fertilization to maintain orachieve a healthy field.NutrientsSoils with suitable pH levels and appropriate balances ofnutrients promote winter hardiness of both warm and coolseason grasses. However, when additional nutrients areneeded, winter applications are often ineffective due tothe low activity of the turfgrass root system. Beneficialresponses of the nutrients can occur only if they areabsorbed by the plant and not that they simply occur in thesoil. Supplemental nutrient applications should be madeduring the optimal growing conditions of the fall.The macronutrients required for turfgrass growthinclude nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K),calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S).Nutrient effects on turfgrass growth and health:• Nitrogen – Influences color, shoot growth, shootdensity, root growth, rhizome and stolon growth,carbohydrate reserves, high temperature stress,cold tolerance, drought resistance, wear tolerance,thatch accumulation, disease susceptibility andrecuperative potential.Your Resource for Safer Fields • Brought to you by the Sports Turf Managers Associationand its charitable Foundation, The SAFE Foundation • ph. 1-800-323-3875 • www.stma.org
Winter Athletic Field Maintenance Calendar forthe Transition Zone: December – February• Phosphorus – Involved in transfer and storage ofenergy for metabolic processes in turf. Affectsseedling development, maturation, root growth andseed production. Needed during establishment.Phosphorus has been eliminated in many fertilizersdue to potential environmental concerns. Also,soil that already has adequate phosphorus, does notneed any additional from a fertilizer application.This is one reason why soil tests are necessary.• Potassium – Involved in photosynthesis; Importantin the regulation of stomates and internal watermanagement; Maintain turgor pressure in plants;Affect root growth, heat, cold and droughttolerance, wear tolerance, disease susceptibility,and environmental stress resistance• Calcium – Aids in cell wall structure and new cellformation; Stimulates root and leaf development• Magnesium – Involved in formation of proteins;Found in chlorophyll molecule; Improves P uptakefrom soil; Aids in plant respiration• Sulfur – Involved with formation of proteins;Helps with turf growth, green color, shoot growthand density, root growth, carbohydrate reserves,and disease susceptibilityThe micronutrients required for turfgrass growthinclude iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper(Cu), boron (B), molybdenum (Mb), chlorine (Cl),nickel (Ni). Adequate amounts of micronutrients areusually present in the soil as long as pH is appropriate.Excess amounts of these nutrients are more commonlyseen than deficiencies. Deficiencies are much more likelyin sand-based soils than heavier textured native soils.LimeProper liming is as important as fertilization. Properlymanaged soil pH regulates nutrient availability and createsa soil environment not only desirable for turf, but also forhealthy soil microorganisms. Late fall and early winter canbe an ideal time to apply lime if it is needed to adjust soilpH. Lime should not be applied to frozen soil and/or turf.The desired soil chemical responses from lime applicationsoften take weeks/months, so soil pH can be adjusted priorto the active growing season of the spring. Lime shouldonly be applied in accordance with what is recommendedon soil test results. If recommended amounts exceed 50pounds per 1000 square feet, apply in split applications.RootzoneNutrient holding capacity of a rootzone variesdepending on soil texture. Heavy, fine textured soils holdmore nutrients than light, sandy soils. A rootzone with lownutrient retention is often best managed with light and morefrequent fertilization unless water insoluble fertilizers areapplied. Use tissue and soil tests to determine the amountsand application frequency needed to maintain a healthyturf environment.ProductsNutrients applied at appropriate times late in the growingseason will encourage root growth, food storage, anddensity of turf. Fertilizer should only be applied if whenshoot growth stops, grass is still green and before the soilfreezes. A quick release water soluble fertilizer can beapplied to promote spring green up the following year.Make sure to check with your local and state agenciesfor any restrictions on applying nutrients. For areaswith restrictions on inputs or other managementprogram constraints or objectives, there are organic andmicrobial products available in the marketplace. STMAencourages you to talk with vendors and practitioners forrecommendations to fit your specific needs.EquipmentRotary spreadero The most rapid way to apply product as fertilizer isdistributed in a wide pattern.o Holes in the bottom of the hopper drop granuleson to a rotating impeller that slings granules in apattern wider than the spreader.o Distribution is not uniform and is more concentratedin the middle of the pass.o To achieve uniformity, on each pass, granulesshould reach the wheel path of the previous pass.o Splitting the application in half and applyingmaterial in two directions can help eliminatestriping.Your Resource for Safer Fields • Brought to you by the Sports Turf Managers Associationand its charitable Foundation, The SAFE Foundation • ph. 1-800-323-3875 • www.stma.org
- Page 1 and 2: www.stma.orgWinter Athletic Field M
- Page 3: Winter Athletic Field Maintenance C
- Page 8 and 9: Winter Athletic Field Maintenance C
- Page 10 and 11: Winter Athletic Field Maintenance C
- Page 12 and 13: Winter Athletic Field Maintenance C
<strong>Winter</strong> <strong>Athletic</strong> <strong>Field</strong> <strong>Maintenance</strong> <strong>Calendar</strong> <strong>for</strong><strong>the</strong> Transition Zone: December – FebruaryTimingBermudagrass fieldsFertilizer applications are unnecessary on dormantbermudagrass fields.Bermudagrass fields overseeded with perennial, annual,and intermediate ryegrass per<strong>for</strong>m best with monthlyapplications of fertilizer. Small amounts of water solubleN (up to 0.5 lb. N / 1000 square feet) every four weekscan benefit winter trafficked fields in <strong>the</strong> warmer parts of<strong>the</strong> transition zone. However, turfgrass growth potentialis very low when air temperatures are less than 50 degreesFahrenheit. Fertilize only when plant response is possibleand never apply fertilizer to frozen soils. As temperatureswarm in late winter or early spring, appropriate fertilizationwill encourage growth, color, and recovery of turf.Applications of potassium at this time are also beneficialto fields. Potassium will help in decreasing potential <strong>for</strong>winterkill.Cool Season Turfgrass <strong>Field</strong>s<strong>Winter</strong> is not an ideal time to apply fertilizer on coolseason turfgrass fields. However, fertilizer may need tobe applied this late in <strong>the</strong> season if <strong>the</strong> last game on <strong>the</strong>fall sports schedule occurs in December. Water solublenitrogen can be applied at 1-2 pounds per 1000 square feetto promote early spring green up. Late season fertilizationshould occur only when shoot growth stops, grass is stillgreen and be<strong>for</strong>e <strong>the</strong> soil freezes. Application to frozensoils can negatively impact water quality due to runoff.Applications of potassium at this time are also beneficialto fields. Potassium will help in decreasing potential <strong>for</strong>winterkill.Special ConsiderationsIf growth blankets are being used, monitor your turf areasclosely when applying nitrogen. If a winter is wet andwarm, excessive nitrogen can lead to disease problems.Photo courtesy of James Brosnan, Ph.D.Soil TestingSoil tests should be conducted on a routine basis –every one (sand-based fields) to three (native soil fields)years is recommended. A soil test will analyze nutrientrequirements, pH, phosphorus and potassium levels, andwill provide <strong>the</strong> best guide to fertilization to maintain orachieve a healthy field.NutrientsSoils with suitable pH levels and appropriate balances ofnutrients promote winter hardiness of both warm and coolseason grasses. However, when additional nutrients areneeded, winter applications are often ineffective due to<strong>the</strong> low activity of <strong>the</strong> turfgrass root system. Beneficialresponses of <strong>the</strong> nutrients can occur only if <strong>the</strong>y areabsorbed by <strong>the</strong> plant and not that <strong>the</strong>y simply occur in <strong>the</strong>soil. Supplemental nutrient applications should be madeduring <strong>the</strong> optimal growing conditions of <strong>the</strong> fall.The macronutrients required <strong>for</strong> turfgrass growthinclude nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K),calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S).Nutrient effects on turfgrass growth and health:• Nitrogen – Influences color, shoot growth, shootdensity, root growth, rhizome and stolon growth,carbohydrate reserves, high temperature stress,cold tolerance, drought resistance, wear tolerance,thatch accumulation, disease susceptibility andrecuperative potential.Your Resource <strong>for</strong> Safer <strong>Field</strong>s • Brought to you by <strong>the</strong> Sports Turf Managers Associationand its charitable Foundation, The SAFE Foundation • ph. 1-800-323-3875 • www.stma.org
Change language