Growing Degree Day Tracker - A Great Tool to Use to Determine Application Timing

Exceptional late winter/early spring warm is present across the Midwest.  Due to this, spring applications are weeks ahead of schedule.  A grounds manager can track growing degree days (GDD), but the easiest way to follow the GDD progress is to use the Growing Degree Day Tracker  brought to you by the Midwest Regional Turf Foundation and Purdue Turfgrass.   This tool is a great way to assist you decision making on crabgrass control applications and many other applications of time sensitive products.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Adding New Material to a Homeplate Edge

Creating and maintaining clean and smooth edges are critical for a safe and playable surface.  Furthermore, smooth and level edges will ensure successful movement of water via surface drainage. 

Many softball fields have a conical grade.  A conical grade moves water in all directions for a center point on the infield.  Typically the grade is at .3%.  With that said, all edges need to be at grade to allow water to exit the playing surface.  Any irregularities will “create a dam” on the edge.  The following photos were from a recent project on a softball field in Cape Girardeau, MO.

How is this issue repaired?  A few simple grade shots, additional material and a 2x4.

First, grade shots were taken to ensure grades were met via a conical laser at the plate and the grass edge.  Next a 2x4 was used to bridge the area to determine/verify areas that were below grade.

Conditioner/Pro Slide was pulled away to expose the existing infield mix.

DuraEdge Classic was placed and “boarded” to ensure the correct amount of infield mix/DuraEdge Classic was present.

Then, the new material was blended into the existing material with a small tiller.

The material was then re-leveled with the board and rolled.

Finally, the conditioner/Pro Slide was placed back over the area. 

A clean and level edge is now present.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Stay Off Turf When Frost is Present

Many areas around the country are beginning to warm.  With that said, frost can still be present in the morning.  Below is a field in Indiana this AM. 

 

This is a reminder to stay off frost covered turf!

For additional information in regards to frost covered turf, click HERE for a publication in regards to turf and frost from the USGA.  Click HERE for a publication from Ohio State University

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Rolling Infields - When? Why? How?

Spring is arriving early in many parts this spring. Many coaches are pushing to get on their infields as soon as possible. 

Regardless of the infield mix, the material will frost heave over the winter. So, you must roll your infield in the spring, ideally before you have any traffic on your infield. Now, the questions are when, why, and how? 

WHEN? 

You will want to roll you infield when there is still moisture in the mix, but the mix is not too wet. When is this? When you can walk across the infield and you settle the frost heave, but there is no material sticking to the bottom of your shoes. Roll the conditioner and mix in multiple passes. 

WHY? 

Rolling accomplishes a couple of goals. First, it settles your infield so your mix will hold its grade and you will not have your conditioner/ topdressing migrate into your base material. Also, the infield mix will also be firmer. This will allow for the ball to play down and true from the beginning of the season. 

HOW? 

It is best to roll with a 3 ton duel drum roller (pictured above). If you can’t get a 3 ton roller, any roller is better than not rolling at all. 

Remember, roll your infield as often as possible with a small pull behind roller as well all spring until the weather moderates. 

Good luck to those groundskeepers and coaches looking to get their fields ready.  

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Infield Not Ready To Roll 

Infield Ready To Roll

Engineered Soil

Download the printable Smart Turf sheet - Rolling Infields: When, Why, & How

This post original post can be viewed here.