Regenerating Fall Use Athletic Fields

With the fairly wet weather last fall, football and soccer fields have taken a beating.  The fields that were aggressively aerified, fertilized, and dormant-seeded last fall should improve dramatically by mid-May. Though improvement won’t be as efficient done now compared to the fall, there is still time to help a field if you missed out last fall.

• Aerify aggressively – hollow-tines, as large as possible, pulling 20 – 40 holes/sq. ft.
• Immediately overseeding perennial ryegrass on fields that will be used in April and May, or overseeding Kentucky bluegrass on fields that won’t be used until June or July.
• Avoid any herbicides that will affect seedlings
• Apply 0.75-1.0 lb N/1000/mo in April, May, and June to help fields fill-in
• Mow frequently to improve density even if the field is not in use.
• Try to limit traffic as much as possible on the new seedlings.