SPRING CHECKLIST

EDITOR ’ S NOTE : Article provided by SiteOne Landscape Supply .

Ensure your sports field management is ready for the spring season . Review this seasonal checklist for a comprehensive breakdown of the most important tasks to complete at the right time .

APRIL Yearly soil testing should be performed to determine nutrient balance and pH levels of soil . Before adding nutrients to soil , conduct a soil test . You can determine nitrogen , phosphorus , potassium and other nutrient levels . Use the results to see if your soil is balanced or if you need to add any minerals . After correcting any imbalance , then you can begin your turf nutrition maintenance plan . If the soil test reads a pH of 7.5 or above , the soil is alkaline and can be treated with sulfur .

If the test shows a pH below 6.8 , the soil is acidic , and you should add a product like limestone to neutralize . As turf recovers from dormant period , aerate the field thoroughly . After constant use , fields will become compacted . Aerating gives the turf better uptake of nutrients , water and air . You should aerate fields a minimum of three times a year but can aerate as often as every 10-14 days during heavy use . Be sure to use an aerator with hollow tines that remove the soil core . For athletic fields the core should be 3 / 4 ” to 1 ” in diameter . Heavy aeration ( six to eight passes ) should occur in the spring before overseeding and fertilization . Drag the field after spring aeration with a steel drag mat to break up the cores and redistribute them back into the soil profile .

Apply a preemergent herbicide to control broadleaf weeds before they have a chance to spread . Be careful not to adversely affect the turfgrass .

22 SportsField Management | April 2023 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com