Tennessee Turfgrass - December / January 2022

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FEATURE

MID SEASON SPORTS FIELD CHECKUP By Tom Serensits, Manager – Penn State’s Center for Sports Surface Research

FIG. 1. Worn Turf due to Excessive Traffic

FIG. 2. Seeding High School Field

Andy McNitt, Ph.D., Professor of Soil Science / Turfgrass at Penn State University

The

heart of the fall sports season is now upon us. Although the stresses of summer heat have passed, the rigors of games and practices are not only hard on players and coaches, but the playing field too (Fig. 1). A few simple tips can help minimize the effects of field wear and tear whether you are managing natural or synthetic turf – or both.

SEED EARLY AND OFTEN The importance of overseeding heavilyused fields and heavily-used areas within a field cannot be emphasized enough. Seeding is one of the most important in-season maintenance practices on heavily-used fields (Fig. 2).

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS DECEMBER / JANUARY 2022 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org


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