Forbes.com - How Taxpayers Get Fooled on Cost of Artificial Turf Field

Today, Mike Ozanian from Forbes.com posted an articled titled, How Taxpayers Get Fooled on Cost of Artificial Turf Field.  It is a great read.  Please ensure that you click on the links in the article as well as they provide great additional information.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

St Mary's of the Woods - Universe Mowing Vol. III

Well, we are a week into the post universe mowing stage at Saint Mary's of the Woods.  Below is a quick update.

The existing turf is bouncing back along side germination of the need seed:

Click HERE and HERE to see Volume I and II from this project.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Establishing a Cool Season Grass Playing Surface from Seed - The Window is Closing

As we enter the season of fall, the window to establish a playing surface from seed is closing.  If seeding cool season turf (bluegrass, ryegrass, tall fescue) is still desired this fall, consider using a blend that includes more perennial ryegrass as the ryegrass will germinate quicker and has a better chance to survive early spring traffic.  If construction issues cause further delays annual ryegrass may need to be considered followed by a permanent spring seeding.  HERE is a great publication from Purdue University detailing establishing turf areas from seed.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Saint Mary's of the Woods - Universe Mowing Vol II

Back to Saint Mary's of the Woods and the Universe Mowing project from late last week.

The first question is why?  The answer arrives in a couple forms.  First, the coach and athletic staff wanted to remove the bumpy surface to create a smooth ball roll with healthy, thatch free, aggressively growing turf.   Secondly, they wanted to remove as much tall fescue and annual bluegrass as possible while not completely regrading the field with the goal of having the field ready for play by senior day in late October of this year.  Finally, they wanted to  have the most advanced Barenbrug bluegrass that can tolerate low cutting heights.

So, the process was:

1. Universe mow the existing turf stand
2. Seed into the stand 
3. Topdress with 25 tons of rootzone sand
4. Apply starter fertilizer (16.28.12) at a rate of 4 bags per acre

Here is the step by step approach:

Universe Mow:

Overseed:

Topdressing:

Look for additional posts as the SmartTurf team will follow the progress of the playing surface.

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

Play on!

--Jamie

@JamieMehringer

Saint Mary's of the Woods Soccer - Universe Mowing - Vol 1

Last week, the J&D Turf team was in Terre Haute, IN with Jerad Minnick of Growing Innovations.  The task, Universe Mow the soccer field at SMWC to smooth the surface and clean up the stand of tall fescue.

Here is a photo of the Universe Mowing:

Why Universe Mow?  What is the process?  Check the SmartTurf Blog tomorrow for a detailed report of the process.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Tricks of the Trade - Synthetic Turf Under an Infield Tarp

Another post from the popular "Tricks of the Trade Segment."

In this application we look at the use of a old synthetic turf scrap to place under a rolled tarp next to a chain link fence.  This solves the maintenance of the grass near/under the tarp.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

FieldSaver 90 Installation in Sarasota, Florida

Last week, the SmartTurf team was in Florida.  The task, to assist in the installation of FieldSaver 90 at a Sarasota County Softball Complex.  Why?  Simply stated, the infield mix in Florida typically is orange in color and has an overall sand content of 80-85% with a silt content of around 1% and a clay content of 15-19%.  Bottom line, there is not enough silt in the mix to hold together.  Hence the infield break apart and the high sand content blow to the edges creating "lips."

Adding FieldSaver 90, or a similar product will drive the sand content down to a typical recreational range while assisting to raise the SCR (Silt to Clay Ratio)

Here were the steps:

Topdressing the FieldSaver 90 Amendment 

Tilling in the FieldSaver 90 Amendment

Rolling the Infield

After Initial Laser Grading

Final Cross Section of the Infield Mix Profile - You Can Amend an Infield

In conclusion, an infield can be amended, but you need to know 2 things:

1.  What does you existing material consist of - pull a sample and send to an independent soils lab

2.  Blend an amendment into the profile at a 3-4 inch depth that will "balance" an infield - in this case a 90% silt/clay product.

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

Play on!

--Jamie

@JamieMehringer