LANDSCAPE AND GROUNDS MAINTENANCE

If sun / heat relief is needed for players and spectators , a shade tree might be a good answer . All photos by John C . Fech .

By John C . Fech

Chances are good that taking care of tulips , periwinkle and crabapples isn ’ t the highest priority on the sports field manager ’ s to-do list on any given day . However , in addition to athletic fields , many field managers are tasked with care of the campus grounds or parks facilities .

So , if your hair is on fire with Poa , anthracnose and grubs , the tendency is to inwardly say , “ Who cares about trees , flowers and shrubs ?” However , making good choices up front before planting , and spending a little time making sure that these plants are attractive and in good shape will ensure that their management details can be crossed off the list — providing focused attention to various turf issues instead .

SITE ASSESSMENT AND ANALYSIS Choosing wisely starts with a good understanding of the site itself and its suitability for ornamentals . Any landscape , regardless of function , can be improved through site assessment and site analysis . Though more helpful when conducted before installation of plant materials , considering all aspects of the site is truly an underutilized and immensely advantageous process . What ’ s an assessment and an analysis of the site ? An assessment is a snapshot of the status of each plant — the raw information . An analysis is the companion piece — the diagnosis , value judgment and recommendation for the individual specimens as they exist on the day of the inspection .

18 SportsField Management | April 2024 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com