Will I Get Snow Mold With The Early Snow Event?

This is a question I have received numerous times this week.  If you manage a field in the midwest or east coast, chances are there has been a snow event within the last week.

The answer?  There is no way to tell at this time of year.  Why?  A turf manager has two different types of snow mold to worry about.  Gray snow mold and pink snow mold.

Gray snow mold can be expected after 40-60 days of snow cover.  To be honest, this is not much of a concern to turf managers unless you reside in MN, northern MI, northern NY, etc.  To learn more about gray snow mold, click HERE to see a publication from Dr. Rick Latin at Purdue University.

Pink snow mold occurs at a greater rate across the US.  Why?  Snow cover is not necessary for pink snow mold infestation.  To learn more about pink snow mold, click HERE to see a publication from Dr. Rick Latin at Purdue University.

Bottom line, if you are concerned about snow mold, and you manage a stand of turf that cannot be exposed to damage, a preventative application of a turf fungicide may be warranted.

Photo credit - Sports Illustrated

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

Play on!

--Jamie

@JamieMehringer

Sub Base for Infield Mixes?

I had a call late last week in regards to a project where infield mix will need to be installed over the winter season.  The question was, "The sub base will not meet compaction, can I undercut certain areas and fill with a granular backfill?"

To answer that question, the first step is to look at the base material.  Typically, and in this instance, a native soil material is used as the sub base.  The sub base needs to be at a minimum of 90% compaction.  In the winter season, 90% compaction is very difficult to achieve.  It it cannot be achieved, what are the options?

1. Undercut the areas that are not meeting compaction and backfill with like material stockpiled on site.
2. If compaction is still not achieved, imported backfill will need to be considered.  A backfill that is 1/4 inch minus is a good choice.  Why?  This material will pack tightly and also is not a large particle size.  This is important if the sub base is ever compromised during the tilling of the infield during standard preventative maintenance.  
3. If importing material is the approach, always undercut the entire infield sub base and compact before placing infield material.  This is important in the overall performance of the infield mix in both wet and dry conditions.

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

Play on!

--Jamie

@JamieMehringer

How Long Can Turf Survive Under Standing Water/Submersion?

This was a question I was faced with this week.  Why?  A town is considering constructing a new multipurpose soccer/rugby field in an existing park, but will need to have the field be able to hold water in event of a 100 year storm.  This is due to the fact that their is not enough land to build retention/detention ponds and subsurface holding tanks are too costly.

After a little thought and research, the answer is very broad.  How about less than 24 hours and up to 60 days!  Why the wide range in time that a turf stand can withstand submersion?  There are many factors at play, the most important is the ambient temperature and the temperature of the water.

Photo courtesy of pitchcare.com

To see a great publication from the Sports Turf Managers Association, click HERE.

To see a publication from Purdue University, click HERE.  

To see a publication from Ohio State University, click HERE.

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

Play on!

--Jamie

@JamieMehringer

Bush Stadium - Renovation Complete - Indianapolis Star Article

The SmartTurf Blog has followed the progress of the former Bush Stadium.  The stadium is now home to the new Stadium Lofts.  Click HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE for the progress of the work.

Click HERE to see an article of the history of Bush Stadium, courtesy of the Indianapolis Star.

Click HERE to see a photo gallery of the renovation, courtesy of the Indianapolis Star.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Ohio Turfgrass Foundation - Tradeshow - December 3-4, 2013

If you are attending the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation Conference and Tradeshow this week, please feel free to stop by the J&D Turf booth.  The J&D Turf team will be located in booth S-8.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Late Season Fertilization of Cool Season Turf

If you have not fertilized your turf in November, you may want to consider applying an application of water soluble fertilizer before winter arrives.  Why?  HERE is a great article by Dr. John Street, Pan Sherratt, and Dr. Karl Danneberger from Ohio State University explaining the benefits of late season fertilizer and spring green-up.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Should I Condition My Infield Before Winter?

That is a question I have received numerous times this past week as baseball and softball coaches wrap up their fall field renovations.  The answer is, depends on the expectations of play in early spring 2014.

If there will be a need to roll the infields and play early in the spring (think late Feb. / early Mar.), yes I would condition the infields with at least 1/4 inch of topdressing.

If there is no need for rolling and play until later in the spring (think late Mar. / early April), no I would not condition the infield prior to winter.

Why condition?  The conditioner will allow the infield to become workable more quickly in the spring to roll prior to first activity.  To see an earlier post on rolling fields, click HERE.

Why not condition?  Conditioner will blow around the infield surface over the winter and can cause the buildup of material causing infield lips.

The end goal is to have an infield that provides cleat in and cleat out performance as shown in the photo below:

To see two earlier posts on depth of conditioners, click HERE and HERE.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer