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Post by Coach.A on Jun 4, 2023 7:58:10 GMT -6
The middle portions of our grass practice field are bald and rock hard. We can't get seed to catch there and water isn't penetrating well.
The sides still have good grass cover and the ground is softer there. Our field has a crown (the middle is elevated higher than the sides to assist with drainage).
To give you an idea of our climate - it's basically Northern Michigan.
There are other school teams that use the field (soccer, etc.). I know many are thinking we need to practice our systems at different places on the field and more situational football to reduce traffic, we do this, but the middle obviously still gets significantly more traffic.
As I know this is a common issue, what are some things you've done to help fix this issue?
Would aerating the hard areas in the middle help?
Thank you in advance.
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Post by 19delta on Jun 4, 2023 8:21:03 GMT -6
Aerating might not do much if the dirt is really packed down. You are going to have to get in there with a rototiller to break up the dirt enough to get something growing.
Obvious problem you will have is that you won’t be able to use that part of the field until the grass takes. I would think that if you could get a rototiller in there and get grass seed in this next week and then water it, you should be able to use it by mid-July.
Get some yellow police tape and just cordon off the section of the field that you seeded.
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Post by tripsclosed on Jun 4, 2023 10:50:18 GMT -6
Aerating might not do much if the dirt is really packed down. You are going to have to get in there with a rototiller to break up the dirt enough to get something growing. Obvious problem you will have is that you won’t be able to use that part of the field until the grass takes. I would think that if you could get a rototiller in there and get grass seed in this next week and then water it, you should be able to use it by mid-July. Get some yellow police tape and just cordon off the section of the field that you seeded. Coach, how many passes of each row would you take with the tiller? |
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Post by larrymoe on Jun 4, 2023 12:37:28 GMT -6
It's really hard to answer this question on a message board, but usually, the answer to limited grass and hard ground is a combo of aeration, seeding and water. That's the general prescription. Your previous methods of mowing could also have an effect on what's going on. Heck, your mower deck type could even be part of the priblem.
I'll also go on record as saying crowns are stupid.
Also- why do you practice on your game field if it has so much traffic from other sports?
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Post by Coach.A on Jun 4, 2023 14:05:34 GMT -6
It's really hard to answer this question on a message board, but usually, the answer to limited grass and hard ground is a combo of aeration, seeding and water. That's the general prescription. Your previous methods of mowing could also have an effect on what's going on. Heck, your mower deck type could even be part of the priblem. I'll also go on record as saying crowns are stupid. Also- why do you practice on your game field if it has so much traffic from other sports? It is our practice field, not our game field. Our game field is off campus. Our school board handles the grass cutting. They use large tractors to cut the grass. Is there something specifically they should be doing (or not doing)? |
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Post by sweep26 on Jun 4, 2023 14:20:10 GMT -6
Talk to one of your local lawn-care professional...ask one of them to come and take a look at it.
You might be surprised how much advice they are willing to provide FREE OF COST!!!
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Post by larrymoe on Jun 4, 2023 14:28:43 GMT -6
It's really hard to answer this question on a message board, but usually, the answer to limited grass and hard ground is a combo of aeration, seeding and water. That's the general prescription. Your previous methods of mowing could also have an effect on what's going on. Heck, your mower deck type could even be part of the priblem. I'll also go on record as saying crowns are stupid. Also- why do you practice on your game field if it has so much traffic from other sports? It is our practice field, not our game field. Our game field is off campus. Our school board handles the grass cutting. They use large tractors to cut the grass. Is there something specifically they should be doing (or not doing)? I'm sorry. I completely missed that in your original post. If the use large enough tractors, and the decks are fixed heights instead of floating, they could be cutting the grass on the non crown part at the desired height and scalping the crap out of the crown. It sorta depends on the severity of the crown. That will inhibit grass growth/kill it too. Less grass will also make you ground drier and harder. How often do they mow it? Is it kept between 3-4 inches, or do they let it get real tall and then scalp it. If that's the case, you may need to thatch it too as there's probably a build up of basically hay there too. |
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Post by larrymoe on Jun 4, 2023 14:33:14 GMT -6
Talk to one of your local lawn-care professional...ask one of them to come and take a look at it. You might be surprised how much advice they are willing to provide FREE OF COST!!! I had a guy that my dad knew from the place he worked at that came and gave me a 2 hour tutorial on athletic turf maintenance and it greatly improved my knowledge. Then I took that and messed with it for 7 years at a place I was also the grounds crew. My dad worked for FS if the have one where you are Coach A. They're also kinda hit and miss on where they have their turf outfits. |
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Post by 19delta on Jun 4, 2023 14:44:49 GMT -6
Aerating might not do much if the dirt is really packed down. You are going to have to get in there with a rototiller to break up the dirt enough to get something growing. Obvious problem you will have is that you won’t be able to use that part of the field until the grass takes. I would think that if you could get a rototiller in there and get grass seed in this next week and then water it, you should be able to use it by mid-July. Get some yellow police tape and just cordon off the section of the field that you seeded. Coach, how many passes of each row would you take with the tiller? I don’t know if there is a specific number. Depends on how packed down the dirt is. I guess my answer would be to do it until it’s done. The more fine the dirt, the more airspaces and the more fertile it will be. Might be a good project for the ag department, if this school has one. |
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Post by freezeoption on Jun 4, 2023 16:28:53 GMT -6
Might try a drag weighted down with concrete blocks. Tractors are fine for things but not playing fields.
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Post by realdawg on Jun 4, 2023 18:27:34 GMT -6
Definitely need to loosen up the soil, plant seed, and water. We largely have the same problem on our practice field due to a lack of water. If you cant sufficiently water what you plant there, it wont do much good.
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