Athletic fields take quite the beating with all of the occasions they are utilized for. Besides the common football practices, they are worn down from band practices, cheerleading, winter weather, and even other sporting events as well. They serve plenty of purposes that create a need for them to be consistently maintained. At Delaware Valley Turf, we have more than a few tricks up our sleeves to ensure that our clients with athletic fields to care for are well equipped with the knowledge and help to do so.
The one thing that always stays consistent in the care of athletic fields is basic control. Control on a sports field includes weed control, insect control, and disease control. Understanding each of the things will allow your fields to be fit for use whenever the game calls.
After excessive use, any turf will become compacted. This is going to be especially true with any sports turf. When soil becomes compacted, it essentially is too tight to allow any water or nutrients to flow through it. Without air pockets, fertilizer and irrigation are pretty much useless. Which is where aeration comes in – the act of creating holes about six inches into the soil to allow for proper flow.
Overseeding would normally come after aeration, which is basically giving the field and influx of nutrients after being deprived for so long. Overseeding is highly recommended with sports turf to allow for full, green looking grass for some incredible action shots of the athletes.
Topdressing is also a great option for the upcoming winter season. It essentially allows for additional hydration over the cool-weather season and creates an even surface to play on for safe games.
The experts at Delaware Valley Turf is completely prepared to take on every part of the care that goes into keeping up an athletic field. All of our campus lawn care comes from our Customized Soil Fertility Programs through Penn State University’s Agricultural Analytical Lab in University Park, PA.
When you’re getting ready for the fall sports like football, be sure to give Delaware Valley a call to ensure your campus is available. You can reach us on our contact page, by phone at 610-328-4170, or even get to know us a little more by checking our Facebook page.