Views on aerification and seeding a school sports complex Cancel The title field is required!

1. Jennifer Torres

   

   2 posts
   
   2/19/2012 12:02 PM

   I was asked for my advice about aerifiying and seeding our local high school soccer complex. The problem for me is timing. I tried to tell them last fall was the best time to do this, but was not heard. Now they have closed the fields and are looking to do it now. My thought is, yes something is better than nothing, but to spend the money they are looking at would be best to wait till fall. The fields are 80%weeds and very poor turf, no working irrigation, and of course on school property so no fertilizers or herbicides. What do you think?

   
   
   
   
2. James Schmid

   

   1 posts
   
   2/19/2012 12:02 PM

   Jennifer Torres said: I was asked for my advice about aerifiying and seeding our local high school soccer complex. The problem for me is timing. I tried to tell them last fall was the best time to do this, but was not heard. Now they have closed the fields and are looking to do it now. My thought is, yes something is better than nothing, but to spend the money they are looking at would be best to wait till fall. The fields are 80%weeds and very poor turf, no working irrigation, and of course on school property so no fertilizers or herbicides. What do you think?

   
   
   
   I think more info would be helpful, as in: where is this school located?

   
   
   
   
3. Ronald Conard

   

   4 posts
   
   2/19/2012 1:02 PM

   Jennifer Torres said: My thought is, yes something is better than nothing, but to [u">spend the money[/u"> they are looking at would be best to wait till fall. The fields are [u">80%weeds[/u"> and very poor turf, [u">no working irrigation[/u">, and of course on school property so [u">no fertilizers or herbicides[/u">. What do you think?

   
   
   We need more information but based on the underlined portions of the quoted text, is it worth spending any money until some of the underlying issues are addressed? Otherwise you'll be throwing money at a problem without the tools to succeed. At least get the irrigation system somewhat functioning first.

   
   
   
   
4. Jennifer Torres

   

   2 posts
   
   2/19/2012 3:02 PM

   This is located in Southern New Jersey, the school has broken the line to the irrigation system and will not allow us to even fix it. We have had people offer to do it free of charge. Even thinking of just soding bad areas near goals for now, but without irrigation that may be a waste too. How to keep it wet? Looking for any ideas!

   
   
   
   
5. Keith Lamb

   

   3 posts
   
   2/19/2012 5:02 PM

   My advice would be fix the irrigation or accept what you have.

   
   
   
   
6. Fleegel Timothy

   
   2/19/2012 5:02 PM

   The soccer complex is in such poor condition because of those things you're not able to fix. All you can do is explain what will happen without fixing the main problem. If they still want to throw away money, that's out of your hands. Maybe bring it to a school board meeting because ultimately they are wasting public money.

   
   
   
   
7. Ronald Conard

   

   4 posts
   
   2/19/2012 11:02 PM

   Jennifer Torres said: This is located in Southern New Jersey, the school has broken the line to the irrigation system and [u">will not allow us to even fix it. We have had people offer to do it free of charge.[/u">

   
   
   Reading this I would tell them you need a functioning irrigation system or all bets are off. Ask them to go a week without water. If you are really dealing with this type of mentality, punt. It sounds like some political reason is in place for this property to fail.

   
   
   
   
8. Rosenthal Gregg

   
   2/20/2012 9:02 AM

   Jennifer,
   
   I have maintained athletic fields in the mid atlantic region as well as golf course turf, and reading your situation it seems you are fighting a losing battle without having irrigation to do spring seeding. The results are not able to be controlled or calculated to any degree. If played on early they will be poor for sure as you can probably predict. Maintaining busy sports fields without some time to resotre them is difficult at best with good resources and impossible without some good effort and resources directed at the desired results....
   Good luck!

   
   
   
   
9. Wallace Jeffrey V

   
   2/20/2012 9:02 AM

   Jennifer Torres said: This is located in Southern New Jersey, the school has broken the line to the irrigation system and will not allow us to even fix it. We have had people offer to do it free of charge. Even thinking of just soding bad areas near goals for now, but without irrigation that may be a waste too. How to keep it wet? Looking for any ideas!

   
   
   Jennifer,
   
   There's your answer highlighted. Give them a phone book or tell them about Google. "Please help us, but don't touch anything." Really?

   
   
   
   
10. Jason Knuutila

    

    0 posts
    
    2/20/2012 2:02 PM

    Overseed ASAP 6 lbs/M of rye is your only chance and 10 lbs/M in your bare areas. Deep tyne the field, aerify bare areas, overseed and cover with Penn Mulch (it does have a starter fert. in it so it's your call wheter to use it).
    
    Mid August overseed with high rates of new varieties of tall fesue. They have great color and texture, but need little to no fert. & water.
    
    Repeat this process every year 4lb/M Fescue mid August. Overseed with least 6lbs/m in mid september with rye. If the field continues to look worn keep overseeding worn areas with rye. I've heard of people going out with 20 - 40 lbs/M of rye during a season in the goal complex.
    
    Irrigation would definitely help, but getting turf coverage will lessen water requirements.

    
    
    
    
11. Robert Crockett

    

    4 posts
    
    2/21/2012 9:02 AM

    Jason Knuutila said: Overseed ASAP 6 lbs/M of rye is your only chance and 10 lbs/M in your bare areas. Deep tyne the field, aerify bare areas, overseed and cover with Penn Mulch (it does have a starter fert. in it so it's your call wheter to use it).
    
    Mid August overseed with high rates of new varieties of tall fesue. They have great color and texture, but need little to no fert. & water.
    
    Repeat this process every year 4lb/M Fescue mid August. Overseed with least 6lbs/m in mid september with rye. If the field continues to look worn keep overseeding worn areas with rye. I've heard of people going out with 20 - 40 lbs/M of rye during a season in the goal complex.
    
    [u">Irrigation would definitely help, but getting turf coverage will lessen water requirements.

    [/u">
    
    Kinda hard to have one w/o the other......consistently. Sounds like their not real high on the IQ. And you don't get something for nothing

    
    
    
    
12. Sean McCue

    

    0 posts
    
    2/24/2012 1:02 PM

    Jason Knuutila said: Overseed ASAP 6 lbs/M of rye is your only chance and 10 lbs/M in your bare areas. Deep tyne the field, aerify bare areas, overseed and cover with Penn Mulch (it does have a starter fert. in it so it's your call wheter to use it).
    
    Mid August overseed with high rates of new varieties of tall fesue. They have great color and texture, but need little to no fert. & water.
    
    Repeat this process every year 4lb/M Fescue mid August. Overseed with least 6lbs/m in mid september with rye. If the field continues to look worn keep overseeding worn areas with rye. I've heard of people going out with 20 - 40 lbs/M of rye during a season in the goal complex.
    
    Irrigation would definitely help, but getting turf coverage will lessen water requirements.

    
    
    Speechless.

    
    
    
    
13. Homme David R

    
    2/24/2012 1:02 PM

    If they have asked your advice, then they should listen and do it your way. I never get it when someone asks advice, then tells you what to do. Doesn't make sense.
    
    I'm sure you know what to do to make the turf better. Give them the program, the timing and the expected results. If they accept, then produce. If they would rather mess with your plan, then why bother?
    
    You've already wasted some time on this, don't allow it to become an annoyance. MHO
    
    Dave Homme
    Falls Resort

    
    
    
    
14. Nowakowski Michael J

    
    2/27/2012 11:02 AM

    Jennifer Torres said: [u">I was asked for my advice[/u"> about aerifiying and seeding our local high school soccer complex. The problem for me is timing. I tried to tell them last fall was the best time to do this, but was not heard. Now they have closed the fields and are looking to do it now. My thought is, yes something is better than nothing, but to spend the money they are looking at would be best to wait till fall. The fields are 80%weeds and very poor turf, no working irrigation, and of course on school property so no fertilizers or herbicides. What do you think?

    
    
    I think the key here is you were asked for advice. Give it and allow them to make a well informed decision. All you can do is accept that...sounds to me like banging my head against a wall though.