IRRIGATION AND WATER MANAGEMENT
Photos courtesy of Clark companies
TOO MUCH WATER Yes , water is life but too much water can have the opposite effect . Here are some signs that your field is getting too much H 2
0 :
The grass is wilting and / or yellowing : The fact that the grass is not standing up and holding its lush , green color does not always mean it needs more water . In many cases , it may need less . Too much water will oversaturate the root system , meaning the grass will not get the nutrients it needs from the soil .
Thatch : While thatch itself is a problem , it can also attract insects .
Field feels hard underfoot : It sounds contradictory , but a field that gets too wet will compress and the soil will become compacted and hard , something that may be more evident as you go through a dry spell .
Weeds : If you have noticed far more weeds , too much water is usually the culprit . Weeds are moistureloving plants and they ’ re opportunistic .
Increased indicators of disease : Fields that are overwatered are more susceptible to disease , particularly fungus , as evidenced by brown spots on grass blades and discolored areas that keep expanding in size — as well as a variety of other symptoms .
Puddles , wet ruts : If there is standing water on your field , it is a sure sign your soil is getting more water than it can handle .
Obviously , overwatering is an issue that can be corrected . How much water the field does need , however , may be a question you want to ask a local agronomist , who can give suggestions , based on the type of soil , the type of turfgrass and the weather — as well as the amount of use your fields get . ( Remember that weather fluctuates , and your irrigation system may need to be recalibrated periodically in order to contribute to optimum field health .) Something else that can help is aerating the soil to reduce compaction , enhance drainage and stimulate root growth .
TOO LITTLE WATER Symptoms your field isn ’ t getting the water it needs include :
A dry and crumbly top layer of the soil ( or patches of soil ) Brownish color Inability to spring back : If grass remains flattened following use , it could be a sign more watering is needed Slow growth
OTHER ESSENTIAL FACTORS TO CONSIDER How much water is a critical question when it comes to field health , but it ’ s not the only one — when you water is essential . Watering a field right before a game can be detrimental . Sports field builders will tell you to use sportsfieldmanagementonline . com July 2024 | SportsField Management
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