A Core Sample Can Tell A Story - Part II

Back to the core samples posted on Tuesday.  Why is there a difference.  First a little background.

The Field:

• Sand based bermudagrass
• Topdressed and aerified regularly
• A higher end playing surface

Back to the photos:

In the first photo, from the turf down, you can see a small sod layer from the sod installed this year along with a small organic layer built up every 1/4 inch.  Why?  That is the amount of sand that is topdressed on an annual basis - much like a ring on a tree.  What is the heavier clay/black layer further down?  That is the sod layer from the original sodding process 6 year ago.

On the second photo you see a more visual difference.  Why?  Thick cut sand based sod grown on plastic was installed in high traffic areas.  So, the sand that was imported is 1 1/2 inch thick.  If you look closely, you can see the sod layer deep into the hole.

Bottom line, take frequent core samples of your field.  This field drains extremely well - in excess of 10 inches per hour, but it still has it's layering challenges.  

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

Play on!

--Jamie

A Core Sample Can Tell a Story - Part 1

Pulling regular core samples off a playing surface can help with maintenance and assist in telling a story in regards to a natural grass playing surface.  Below are two samples from the same field.  Why are there differences?

The answer and an explanation will be posted tomorrow.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

New Bermudagrass - Fountain Central High School

As many of you know, this past winter was very harsh on bermudagrass.   Fountain Central High School needed to re-seed their football field with Riviera bermudagrass.  Here is what the field looked like on June 28, 2014:

Here is what the field looked like on August 14, 2014:

The field was reseeded on June 1.  Even with the coolest July on record, there was no problem re-establishing this playing surface.

How was this accomplished?  A little fertilizer, topdressing, irrigation, frequent mowing, and attention to detail.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

2014 - Riviera Bermudagrass Seeding - The Earlier the Better

This summer has been extremely cool and wet across the midwest.  This has effected Riviera bermudagrass seeding.  To what extent?  See below:

The background - the same location (Indianapolis, IN) - one field was seeded on June 1, 2014.  The other field was seeded on July 1, 2014.  Here is how they looked on Aug 10, 2014:

Current soil temp at a 4 inch depth:

Field seeded June 1, 2014:

Field seeded July 1, 2014:

As you can see, the earlier you can seed the better.  Not only is the field seeded June 1 ready for play, the stolons and rhizomes are more mature, thus it has a better chance to survive the winter.  Will the July 1, 2014 field be completely filled in by the first frost?  We will keep an eye on both fields and keep you posted.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Infield Mix - It May Be More Than Meets the Eye

I visited a site early this past week.  Here is what the infield looked like on Monday:

The AD stated, "I don't think this is what we are supposed to have?"  I walked around and dug a test hole, here is what I found:

Simply stated, this was a classic bait and switch.  The contractor stated, "We can bring you a professional quality mix at $20 per ton."  What was installed was a course white limestone over a 1/2 inch of expanded shale.  After one year and no play, the course material is surfacing, so the facility has a new infield with "rock" present.

Bottom line, be careful with what you purchase.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Installing Corner Markers for a Multi-Use Field

This past week I had the opportunity to install corner markers on a 15 acre sand-based playing surface.  Needless to say, a 15 acre piece of land creates challenges on squaring up a field.  How did we do this?  Simply hiring a surveyor to mark the corners of the playing surface.  The corners were on an autocad doc from the construction documents of this newly constructed surface.  Below is a step by step photo journal of the process:

Corners were marked with a stake as a point of reference and a nail to show the exact location

The marker was placed where the nail once stood and then the marker was hammered into the sand

The finished product

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

Play on!

--Jamie

@JamieMehringer