Sports Field Cultural Practices
Almost anything done to a sports field to help growth can be considered to be a cultural practice. It is this way because anything that is done usually has an effect on how the grass grows or how the soil works. Thus, any cultural practice will have an impact on the air, the water and microbial activity in that field.
Soil testing is the beginning of good cultural practices on any sports field. By finding out the balance of minerals in the soil, the correct granular fertilizers can be used as feed and to partially offset the lack or overabundance of certain minerals. The soil analysis shows the amount of organic materials available and additional materials (both liquids and granulars) can be added as necessary. The ability of the soil to hold minerals and moisture is part of the analysis and helps to guide the fertilizing and irrigation and feeding cycles. And the analysis will indicate areas of possible trouble as deviations from normal can be spotted in the figures given by the lab.
Most sports fields will need additional organic materials periodically in the high usage areas if not all over because of compaction. With this topdressing of organics and sometimes a specific sand, deeptine aeration or a least aeration with a core puller will be needed at the time of application. The materials can then be dragged around to fill the holes and provide moisture and nutrient holding channels for the plant roots. Compaction always limits root development, plant growth and the buildup of organic materials and can occur in all types of soil from sand to heavy clay.
Soil amendments such as Penetrates and Biostimulants can also be put down at this time and will help the organic materials to break down into a useable solution while helping the soil to both hold and move water. The Biostimulants can also be used to break down any soil contamination problems such as high sodium or herbicide damage. It is advisable to use these products in a year long program as part of the cultural practices package for each field as these products are specifically designed to help manage air, water and microbial activity.
Most sports fields have problems because of compaction exposed by excessive foot traffic. There is generally no way that Mother Nature can correct this situation. Once compaction is recognized by a physical inspection, it is important to move ahead. You’ll need to develop a short term and a long term plan to fight this problem with the understanding that you’ll probably never get rid of it, but you’ll be able, through good cultural practices, to live with it and to provide your athletes with a playable and safe surface.
Cultural practices will vary from field to field, but the basics of how the soil works and how the plants grow will always be the same. Air, water and microbial activity are always the keys. Everything done on the field from mowing at the correct height to aerating to the correct depth is very important, but each is only part of the puzzle and therefore only part of the answer to good cultural practices.
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