Winter Athletic Field Maintenance Calendar for the ... - STMA

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Winter Athletic Field Maintenance Calendar forthe Transition Zone: December – FebruaryDormant seeding is beneficial because as the soil heavesand cracks during the winter, crevices are created forthe seeds. This creates ideal germination conditions astemperatures begin to warm. The seed can also succumbto many fates while it sits on the surface for months waitingto grow. Disadvantages associated with dormant seedinginclude seed rot, seed desiccation, or runoff due to water.Sod can be installed at any time as long as the soil is notfrozen. Consider that sodding during warmer temperatureswill better ensure root development and a stable playingsurface.Species and MixturesAlways use certified seed when overseeding athleticfields. Certification ensures that the cultivar listed on thelabel is what is contained in the bag. The label also lists atest date. Seed should not be sold if the test date is morethan 15 months past.The species used for overseeding depends on the currentspecies on the field and the amount of play the field willbe receiving within six weeks of seeding.Kentucky bluegrass• Fine texture• Resilient due to rhizomatous growth• Traffic should not be allowed on the field until itis fully established due to slow germination andestablishment rates.• Once established, produces better wear toleranceand recovery.• Drought tolerant• If the field is made up of 100% Kentucky bluegrass,a blend of different cultivars should be used tomaximize disease resistance and wear tolerance.• Most fields are a mixture of Kentucky bluegrass(80-90%) and perennial ryegrass (10- 20%). Thegermination and recovery rate of perennial ryegrassaid in maintaining turf cover and density on thesefields.Perennial ryegrass• Fine texture• Quick establishment• Good traffic and wear tolerance when combinedwith Kentucky bluegrass• Poor cold tolerance• Most fields are a mixture of Kentucky bluegrass(80-90%) and perennial ryegrass (10-20%). Thegermination and recovery rate of perennial ryegrassaid in maintaining turf cover and density on thesefields.Annual ryegrass• Used primarily for winter overseeding and/or soilstabilization• Coarse to medium texture• Quick germination and quick recovery potential• Provides green color throughout fall, winter andspring• Poor drought and heat tolerance. Usually dies withhot summer temperaturesIntermediate ryegrass• This hybrid seeks to provide the rapid establishmentrate of annual ryegrass with improved turf qualityand wear characteristics of perennial• Cost similar to perennial ryegrass• Moderate to good wear tolerance• Coarser texture than perennial• Light green color typical but newer varieties aredarker green• Dies out naturally in early summerTall Fescue• Fine to medium texture• Good pest tolerance• Most drought and heat tolerant of all the coolseason grasses• Poor tolerance to mowing heights less than 2inches• Good wear tolerance• Good spring greening• Poor cold tolerance• Popular choice on low-input athletic fields as amonostand; when used on higher maintenanceathletic fields, tall fescue should not be mixed withmore than 10% of Kentucky bluegrass. Due to tallfescue’s bunch type growth, Kentucky bluegrass isoften added to help knit plants together and providebetter recuperative 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 – FebruaryPest ControlHealthy, dense stands of turf are the best way to preventdisease, weed or insect infestations. Following propercultural practices throughout the year, includingfertilization, irrigation, mowing, seeding, and soilcultivation, can minimize and sometimes eliminatepest problems. The goal of turf management is to producehealthy turf while limiting reliance on pesticides. Manymanagers follow Integrated Pest Management (IPM)practices. This program does not completely eliminatepests, but maintains the population at a tolerable level.Pesticides are often a part of IPM programs, but they areselected and applied responsibly to avoid health risks toother living organisms than those targeted. It is importantto routinely scout the fields and identify the pest problemin the early stages so a decision can be made whetherits effects need to be controlled culturally or chemically.University research and efforts by turf managers andcommunities continue to evolve and support the trendtowards sustainable turf management.Make sure to check with your local and state agenciesfor any restrictions on applying pesticides. Forareas with 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.WeedsRecommended time to apply herbicides:Timing forcontrolWeeds mostcommonlycontrolledon dormantbermudagrassandoverseededbermudagrassfieldsTiming forcontrolDecember January FebruaryBermudagrass FieldsX X XPostemergentcontrol ofwinter annualand perennialbroadleafweedsPostemergentcontrol ofwinter annualand perennialbroadleafweedsCool Season Turfgrass FieldsPostemergentcontrol ofwinter annualand perennialbroadleafweedsPreemergentcontrol ofsummerannual weedygrassesNon-overseeded bermudagrass fieldsAnnual bluegrass and winter annual and perennialbroadleaf weeds can invade dormant bermudagrass fields.Left uncontrolled, these weeds can compete for sunlightwith bermudagrass the following spring. This can delaygreen-up. Preemergent and postemergent herbicides canbe applied to dormant bermudagrass to control weeds.Applying a broad spectrum, non-selective herbicide isa common method for controlling weeds in dormantbermudagrass. Remember, bermudagrass must becompletely dormant when making a broad spectrum,non-selective herbicide application.Overseeded bermudagrass fieldsAnnual bluegrass and winter annual and perennialbroadleaf weeds compete with overseeded grasses duringthe winter. Postemergent herbicides are preferable foroverseeded fields. Spot treating weeds may be a desirablemethod of control as opposed to broadcast applications.Never apply herbicides if the turf is stressed.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
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