Layering Infield Mixes - NOT a Sound Practice

This week I was at a high school that was have issues with their infield.  I asked the AD if he new what type of material he was using.  He said he didn't but he paid a contractor to add infield mix to his field a year or two ago, so we dug a hole to take a look.  Here is what we found:

Needless to say the layering is causing an issue as well as using an infield mix that is high in silt and fine sand.  Click HERE to see an earlier post on layering infield mixes.

Click HERE to see how to add infield mix to an existing infield.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

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