FIELD OF THE YEAR SCHOOLS AND PARKS SPORTING GROUNDS
MONTHLY MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
January : It ’ s the middle of winter , so not much is going on out at the course . We are working on making our maintenance programs for the year and servicing all of our equipment .
February : It is still winter , so not much is going on out on the course . On a few nice days we work on cutting down some dead trees in the wooded path and trim some branches that are too close to the course path .
March : Toward the end of March , we make our first application of the year . During spring break , we apply Dimension 2EW ( dithiopyr ) at a rate of 32 oz . per acre as our preemergent for summer annual weeds .
April : We start mowing the course one to two times a week as needed at 1.5 ”.
May : We continue mowing the course once or twice a week as needed at 1.5 ”. Toward the end of May we fertilize with ATS 25-3-10 90 % slow release at a rate of four bags per acre for 1.15 pounds of Nitrogen per 1,000 sq . ft .
June : We continue to mow the course once a week at 1.75 ”. We spot spray Corteva GameOn ( Arylex active ; fluroxypyr ; 2,4-Dcholine ) at 3.5 pints per acre , and Boulder 6.3 ( triclopyr ) at 12.8 fl . oz . per acre for some thistle that is coming onto the course from the native areas .
July : We continue to mow the course once a week at 1.75 ”. With the season starting soon , we install the finish lane rope onto the post and put the course marker rocks in their locations .
August : We continue to mow the course once a week at 1.75 ”. We fertilize a second time with 25-3-10
90 % slow release at four bags per acre , which gives us 1.15 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 sq . ft . Our detail work around the course picks up with the season starting , which includes line trimming around post and fence lines , clearing off the wooded path , and painting the start line / boxes and finish lane logos .
September : We continue to mow the course once a week at 1.75 ”. Our detail work around the course continues as we host multiple meets during September . When we host the HCC conference meet , we install windscreens / signage around the course and paint the conference logo in the finish lane . We spot overseed any thin areas throughout the course with a tall fescue blend .
October : We mow the course once or twice a week at 1.75 ” as needed . We fertilize the course with ATS 34-0-4 at two bags per acre for . 78 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 sq . ft . Our detail work continues as we host the state regional meet in October . For that meet , we install windscreens / signage around the course and paint the IHSAA logo in the finish lane . The following week is fall break so we spray the course with Boulder 6.3 ( triclopyr ) at 12.8 fl . oz . per acre and Vessel herbicide ( 2,4-D , Dicamba , MCPP ) at 1.3 fl . oz . per 1,000 sq . ft . for broadleaf weeds .
November : With the season being over , we core aerify the course with a PTO-driven aerifier . We continue to mow the course once per week at 1.75 ”.
December : As we wrap up the year , we put the rope from the finish lane and the course markers away in storage and start making our plans for the next year . SFM
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