DePauw University Soccer - In the Last 70 Days

The soccer field at DePauw University was converted from cool season turf to Riviera Bermuda grass this summer.  I wanted to recap the project in photos.

The plan was as followed:

1. Kill of the cool season turf with glyphosate
2. Till the dead vegetation
3. Laser grade the rootzone
4. Seed Riviera at a rate of 3 lbs per 1,000 sq ft
5. Grow the field in with irrigation and aggressive fertility and topdressing

Here are the photos:

May 14:

May 22:

  June 8:

June 29:

July 30:

As seen above, this field is ready for play at a cutting height of 7/8 of an inch.

To learn more about DePauw Soccer, click HERE.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Chicago Cubs - Wrigley Field

I spent the day last Friday on the north side of Chicago at Wrigley Field.  Here are a few photos:

The Kentucky bluegrass field was in great as it was Ron Santo Day at Wrigley.  The infield is Dura Edge Pro from the Natural Sand Company.

Here is a photo of the concourse:

Finally, a couple of additional photos.  One of the famous T-shirts stand outside of the park.  Next, a shot of the famous foul ball signs:

Wrigley Field is a great historic facility that is home to some of the best fans in baseball.

Look for another post later this week from another MLB facility.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Indianapolis Colts Training Camp - Let the Practices Begin

Today was the first day of training camp for the Colts.  Over 100,000 sq ft of Patriot bermuda grass greeted the team.  Here are a few photos of the natural grass playing surfaces last night before the practices started:

Look for additional photos halfway through camp and at the conclusion of camp.

Below are a couple of links of the training camp fields from earlier this year:

http://janddturf.blogspot.com/2012/04/should-i-overseed-my-patriot.html
http://janddturf.blogspot.com/2012/07/anderson-university-patriot.html

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Indianapolis Star - Drought Stressed Athletic Fields - Bermuda Grass?

In today's issue of the Indianapolis Star, an article was written in regards to fall use fields (football and soccer) and the drought conditions.  To see the article, click HERE.

In the article, bermuda grass is discussed.  I wanted to pass along two photos taken last week:

A Patriot bermuda grass field:

Next, a bluegrass/ryegrass field:

Long story short, bermuda grass may not be for everyone, but it should definitely be considered for fall use athletic fields in Indiana.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Top Grading Bermudagrass Turf

It is well known that I believe warm season turf (bermudagrass) is an option that many in the Midwest should consider for athletic fields.  The fields that are about ready to host fall sports are the best "fit" for warm season turf.

Warm season turf is very tolerant to all types of maintenance.  How many fields are on campuses that have a somewhat poor grade?  There is not a good option to level these fields out if they are cool season turf (bluegrass, ryegrass, fescue, etc.)  Warm season turf on the other hand has an attractive option - Top Grading.  Quite simply, top grading is a heavy application of sand over the existing bermuda turf.  Then the field is laser grade to re-establish the grade.  the bermudagrass will grow through the sand very quickly in warn weather.  I saw this process taking place in Tampa during the first part of July.  Here are a couple photos:

Yet another reason why warm season turf may be the best option for your field.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Elizabethtown Sports Park - Opening Day

Opening Day at the Elizabethtown Sports Park took place yesterday.  My wife and I made the trip to ETown to take in the festivities and see the finished product. Here are a few photos:

A couple of photos from the baseball and softball fields:

A shot of a sign from the baseball and softball fields:

A couple of photos around the baseball pavilion:

A photo of one of 2 synthetic fields:

The ZOOperstars were on site for Opening Day!

A facility of this size needs a good amount of equipment to maintain:

Lastly, a shot of a youngster getting ready to run the bases on the Dura Edge Classic engineered soil infield surface:

A big congratulations to James Bergdoll, Sports Turf Manager, on the successful completion of this daunting project.  After 2 years of work, the place is one of its kind in the country.

Go to James' blog http://etownsp.blogspot.com/ to see the project from the early stages to completion.

Below are a number of previous links from the SmartTurf blog:

http://janddturf.blogspot.com/2011/07/day-in-elizabethtown.html
http://janddturf.blogspot.com/2011/09/week-in-elizabethtown.html
http://janddturf.blogspot.com/2012/06/elizabethtown-sports-park-opening-in.html
http://janddturf.blogspot.com/2012/06/elizabethtown-sports-park-video-link.html

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

St Luke Catholic Church - Patriot Bermudagrass

On a busy Friday morning, I wanted to send out a quick post in regards to the sodded Patriot bermudagrass field at St Luke Catholic Church on the north side of Indianapolis.  Here are photos taken early this week:

The field is starting to dry out due to the water ban in Indianapolis.  Obviously, it has been a great year for bermudagrass in central Indiana.  But, with the summer grow-in and the drought tolerance of bermudagrass, it may be an option for fall use fields.  I will continue to post on this field as practice begins in a couple of weeks.

To see earlier posts on the project:
http://janddturf.blogspot.com/2012/05/patriot-bermuda-grass-at-st-luke-in.html
http://janddturf.blogspot.com/2012/06/st-luke-catholic-church-patriot-bermuda.html
http://janddturf.blogspot.com/2012/06/st-luke-catholic-church-patriot-bermuda_16.html
http://janddturf.blogspot.com/2012/07/bermuda-grass-update-from-st-luke-and.html

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer