Late Fall Fertilizer - The Window is Opening

The window is opening for late fall fertilization of cool season turfgrass.  There are many benefits of late fall fertility.  Late fall applications will encourage greater root development, enhances energy reserves, and extends fall color.  There are many other benefits.  Click HERE to see a post for Dr. Aaron Patton from Purdue University discussing late fall fertilization.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

#LifeOnTheRoad - Building an On Site Sod Farm

This is the fourth post in a periodic series entitled #LifeOnTheRoad.  The background is simple.  During my travels I  encounter many grounds managers/coaches doing great things.  Because of this, I have started this series.  The goal - expose more grounds managers, coaches, architects, etc to areas of facility and sports turf maintenance that may be implemented to their facility/design.

Many times, having an on site sod farm at a facility is a great idea.  A small amount of sod that is under a program similar to the playing surface will allow for quick in season repairs with sod that will be comparable to the existing turf on the field.  Here are a couple shot of the sod farm outside of Marlins Park:

The sod farm is fully irrigated and on the same fertility program as the playing surface.  It is also maintained at the same cutting height.  There are two types of sod due to the fact that both 419 bermudagrass and paspalum are grown at Marlins Park.

Here is a photo of the sod farm at Parkview Field, home of the Ft Wayne TinCaps.  Although it is smaller in area, it serves the same purpose as the farm in Miami.

Is an on site sod farm a fit at your facility?

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Building an Off-Field Bullpen

Building a bullpen off the field is on many coaches wish list.  In this post, a construction of an off field bullpen in explained in detail.

First locate the bullpen location and remove the sod.  Keep in mind that all new material has to be installed at a depth of 4 inches.  So, existing native soil may have to be removed along the edges of the new bullpen.

Next, install the pitchers rubbers.  Ensure that the rubbers are 10 inches above home plate, level, and in line with each other. 

After installation, install mound clay in front of the rubbers.  In this case, Dura Pitch Mound Clay from the Natural Sand Company and Dura Edge Products were used.  A local infield mix was used along the sides of the mound, the table, and behind the mound to save costs.

Ensure that the mound is sloped correctly.  To see a trick of the trade for a cost effective slope board, click HERE.

Finish the mound with a 1/4 inch of infield mix over the mound clay to create a clean, smooth surface. 

Finally, condition with 4-5 bags of calcined clay.

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

Play on!

--Jamie

@JamieMehringer

#LifeOnTheRoad - Dugout Bat Bag Storage

This is the third post in a periodic series entitled #LifeOnTheRoad.  The background is simple.  During my travels I  encounter many grounds managers/coaches doing great things.  Because of this, I have started this series.  The goal - expose more grounds managers, coaches, architects, etc to areas of facility and sports turf maintenance that may be implemented to their facility/design.

Today we are at Ohio Dominican University Softball.  Existing dugouts are original to the facility and somewhat small by today's standards.  One way to gain additional space - install hooks on the backside of the dugout for bat bags.

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

Play on!

--Jamie

@JamieMehringer

#LifeOnTheRoad - Guerin Track Transition

This is the second post in a periodic series entitled #LifeOnTheRoad.  The background is simple.  During my travels I  encounter many grounds managers/coaches doing great things.  Because of this, I have started this series.  The goal - expose more grounds managers, coaches, architects, etc to areas of facility and sports turf maintenance that may be implemented to their facility/design.

Today we are at Guerin Catholic High in Noblesville, IN.  I took note of the somewhat unusual but effective material to address the running track to walk transition that many track facilities struggle to maintain.

Note the large stone.  With a Glyphosate/Sureguard combo this area remains free of weeds while also producing a clean visual look.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Creating a 2 Inch Cap - Dura Edge Classic

I visited 2 little leagues and 2 high schools last week considering a 2 inch cap of Dura Edge Classic.  With fall baseball renovations in full swing, I figured this would be a good time to re-post the information on creating a 2 inch cap....

The creation of engineered soils have created many new opportunities to amend and manage infield surfaces.  One of the new opportunities is a 2 inch cap over an existing laser graded sub base.  How can a 2 inch cap be successful?  I thought infield mix has to be 4 inches or more in depth?  Simply stated, engineered soils use the correct proportions of sand/silt/clay to allow for the cap.  Think - a more engineered asphalt can be installed at a thinner depth than a gravel road.  DO NOT attempt a cap if the material is not engineered.

Below is a review of a 2 inch cap installation at Hamilton Heights High School.  This surface did not have infield mix added for the past 10 years, so it was 2 inches below finish grade.  

Let’s go through the steps:

First step - Laser grade the existing infield mix to ensure the sub base is a consistent 2 inches below finish grade.

Laser grading the 1st base sub base as the first load of Dura Edge Classic is added to the laser graded 3 rd base sub base

Second step - Add 100 tons of Dura Edge Classic

Third step - Laser grade the Dura Edge Classic and compact with a static 3 ton duel drum roller

Laser grading new Dura Edge Classic cap

Fourth step - Topdress the Dura Edge Classic with 3 tons of Diamond Pro Professional Calcined Clay

Fifth and final step - Finish drag

This project was completed in one day.  Keep in mind the long term maintenance cannot include any activity below 2 inches.  This is not a problem with engineered soils.  As a rule of thumb, less is more with engineered soils.  Less maintenance, less nail dragging, less rainouts, etc.  This surface will perform well and no additional infield mix will be needed for the next 3-5 years depending on maintenance, topdressing programs, etc.

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

Play on!

--Jamie

@JamieMehringer

#LifeOnTheRoad - Butler Softball Bullpens

This is the first post in a periodic series entitled #LifeOnTheRoad.  The background is simple.  During my travels I  encounter many grounds managers/coaches doing great things.  Because of this, I have started this series.  The goal - expose more grounds managers, coaches, architects, etc to areas of facility and sports turf maintenance that may be implemented to their facility/design.  Let's get started.

I visited the Butler Softball facility recently.  I took note of the new bullpens and the design.

 
The design is simple.  Synthetic turf scrap that was cut to fit the area.  The turf was placed over a concrete base.  Next, plates and batters boxes were painted on the turf.  Finally, a full infield mix/mound clay area was installed in the pitchers area.  So, now the Bulldogs have a great training area that doubles as a bullpen on game days.  Finally, the surface allows for a weed free bullpen area - a welcome sight for many softball and baseball coaches.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer