Riviera Bermudagrass Germination in Full Swing

I received a couple of calls this past week from a couple AD's and grounds managers concerned about Riviera bermudagrass germination.  Soil temps at a 4 inch depth are running around 80 degrees, so germination is rapid.    

First of all, let's look at a photo of bermudagrass germination taken on June 27, 2014:

In this example, the soil is a bit too dry but good germination is present.  Here is what germination looked like last year at this time:

So, germination is consistent to 2013.  Keep the soil moist and in 45 days you will go from the photo above to the photo below:

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.

Play on!

--Jamie

@JamieMehringer

Tricks of the Trade - Poly Scoop Shovel

Another installment of the popular "Tricks of the Trade" series.  In this installment we go the the University of Missouri and the AM Leonard Poly Scoop Shovel.

A shovel that is "unbreakable."

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Tricks of the Trade - Looking Into the Sun to Determine Bermudagrass Coverage

Looking into the sun can be a great asset when determining isolated dry spots, patch diseases, etc.  Another benefit can be determining bermudagrass coverage after spraying out the ryegrass.  Here is what the field looked like this morning at St Luke Catholic School:

Note the almost 100% coverage outside of the hash marks.  There is a small amount of Patriot bermudagrass between the hashmarks, but this area will be overseeded with Riviera bermudagrass to ensure 100% coverage for football season beginning Aug 1, 2014.

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Grass Baselines for Baseball and Softball??

Many schools consider grass baselines for baseball fields.  I was visiting this field this past week where I observed this baseline:

As you can see, the baseline is only 1 1/2 ft wide.  This width makes the baseline very difficult to maintain with a volunteer grounds crew.  Most baselines at the high school level are between 5-6 ft in width.  Considering grass baselines?  They can be very effective, but they do require in season maintenance.

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Riviera Bermudagrass Seeding Window is Closing

As many have seen across the transition zone, winterkill greatly affected bermudagrass this spring/summer.  With the lack of sprigs and sod available, many are considering seeding Riviera bermudagrass. With that said, in the upper transition zone, the seeding window is beginning to close and will be closed on July 1.  Why?  Consider reviewing this document from the University of Arkansas and this publication from Purdue University.

On June 13, 2014 - Soil temps in Indianapolis on native soil at a 4 inch depth:

On June 13, 2014 - Riviera bermudagrass beginning to germinate right on schedule - 14 days after seeding:

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Infield Mix Drainage

With the recent heavy rains, infield mix drainage has been a hot topic.  Here are photos of 2 fields I have been to this week:

The issues with both fields?  An elevated grass edge "lip" along the back arc the is acting as a dam to hold the water on the infields.  How do you solve this problem?  

#1. - Infield drainage explained - http://janddturf.blogspot.com/2014/01/winter-education-vol-3-infield-mix.html

#2 - Infield lip maintenance explained - http://janddturf.blogspot.com/2012/04/removing-infield-lips-via-sod-cutter.html

#3 - Infield lip maintenance - daily - http://janddturf.blogspot.com/2010/03/infield-mixes-vol-9-lip-controls-for.html

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.

Play on!

--Jamie

@JamieMehringer

Indiana STMA Summer Field Day

Looking for a great chance to learn more about maintaining athletic fields?  Consider attending the Indiana STMA Summer Field Day on July 17, 2014 at Brownsburg High School.

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Spacing Between Passes of a Rotary Spreader

I saw a rather alarming pattern in a new stand of turf this week.  Here is what I saw:

What caused this problem?  Inadequate overlap from repeated rotary spreader applications.  What is the correct overlap?  Dr. Zac Reicher explains in this Purdue University Turf Tip.

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer