Alabama Turf Times - Spring 2011 by leadingedgepubs

Spring 2011

10 14

Alabama Turf Times >>> S p r i n g 2011

www.AlaTurfgrass.org

ATA Member Spotlight —

James Horton, Birmingham Botanical Gardens Cover Story —

Planning and Cooperation… The Keys to “Fielding” the SEC Baseball Tournament Turf Tips —

Timely Advice for Golf, Lawn, Sports and Sod Turf Turf Talk —

The Top Five Ways to Make Sure Your Sod Fails

From the President’s Pen

ATA Annual Sponsors

News from the ATRF

Recent Events

News from Auburn University

Welcome, New ATA Members!

Calendar of Events

Advertiser Index

The Alabama Turfgrass Association serves its members in the industry through education, promotion and representation. The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the association, its staff, or its board of directors, Alabama Turf Times, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or their identification as Alabama Turfgrass Association members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in this, past or subsequent issues of this quarterly publication. Copyright © 2011 by the Alabama Turfgrass Association. Alabama Turf Times is published quarterly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of the Alabama Turfgrass Association. POSTMASTER: Send change of address notification to Alabama Turfgrass Association, Post Office Box 70, Auburn, Al. Postage guaranteed. Third-class postage is paid at Nashville, TN. Printed in the U.S.A. We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs. Contact the managing editor for contribution information. Advertising: For display and classified advertising rates and insertion please contact Leading Edge Communications, LLC, 206 Bridge Street, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 790-3718, www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com

From the President’s Pen >>> Tom Wolf

A Busy Winter,

A BUSY SPRING! G

reenup is here! This is the time of the year that we plan for, hope for and, for some, pray for (especially during those winter months). As a sod producer, I sure am looking forward to a new growing season, and I wish everyone success this year. Winter has been extremely busy for the Alabama Turfgrass Association. We hosted five Turfgrass Road Show Seminars across the state and educated over 388 turf managers. Thank you for your support of these seminars. They have been very beneficial to our members, and they serve as a great recruitment opportunity for ATA. As I write this, the Alabama Legislature has just begun to meet in Montgomery. There are several issues that ATA will be lobbying and monitoring this session, including immigration, water and fertilizer issues. Please be on the lookout for any updates or call-to-action requests from ATA. Many times, an

Alabama Turf Times >>> S p r i n g 2011

2011 ATA Annual Sponsors The companies listed here support the ATA and its members. Please keep them in mind when making your purchasing decisions.

immediate grassroots effort is our best tool in getting our voices heard. This spring is full of events that will benefit the Alabama Turfgrass Research Foundation. All (100%) of the proceeds from our two golf tournaments, the Mole Cricket Classic and the Poa annua Classic, go directly to ATRF. ATRF is also holding a Staycation Vacation Give-a-Way, for which you can purchase tickets for a drawing where the winner will get his or her choice of five trips (see page 8). And lastly, the Auburn University Turfgrass Field Day, where research that ATRF funds can be viewed first hand. Join the effort to fund advancements in turfgrass research, and come out and support these events — the results affect every turfgrass manager!

Tom Wolf, ATA President Coosa Valley Turf Farms

GOLD

BRONZE

Beard Equipment Company Greenville Turf & Tractor Golf Ventures West Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation

AGRI-AFC, LLC Agromax BASF Bayer Environmental Science DuPont Professional Products Harrell’s, Inc. Humphries Turf Supply Southern States

SILVER Agrium Advanced Technologies Ewing John Deere Landscapes Syngenta T&O Products

Alabama Turf Times is the official publication of the: Alabama Turfgrass Association P.O. Box 70 Auburn, Alabama 36831 Tel: (334) 821-3000 Fax: (334) 821-3800 Email: mailbox@alaturfgrass.org www.alaturfgrass.org Published by: Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, Tennessee 37064 Tel: (615) 790-3718 Fax: (615) 794-4524 Email: info@leadingedgecommunications.com Executive Director Tricia Roberts Alabama Turf Times Editor James Horton Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Executive Committee President Tom Wolf Coosa Valley Turf Farms

Vice-President James Bartley Southern Lawns

Treasurer Glenn Hedden Town of Loxley

Past President Jeff Oelmann, CGCS Grand National Golf Course

Board of Directors Golf Jeremy Sutton Montgomery Country Club

Lawncare Kim Byram Parks & Recreation Raymond Sexton City of Troy

Sod John Carter Carter Sod Farm

Industry Bobby Farley The Capstone Club

Institution Jason Cooper At-Large Scott Herron Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation

Jeff Hill Cullman Golf Course Alabama Lawns

Officio/Education Advisors Dave Han, Ph.D. Auburn University

Jim Jacobi, Ph.D. ACES, Birmingham

Alabama Turf Times >>> S p r i n g 2011

Craig Jones

Alabama Turf Times >>> S p r i n g 2011

News from the ATRF >>>

Member Spotlight >>>

By Tricia Roberts, ATA Executive Director

Alabama Turf Times >>> S p r i n g 2011

you look up “dedicated” in the dictionary, you just might find James Horton. James has been one of the most dedicated members of the Alabama Turfgrass Association. He believes in being “all in,” and it’s not just because he’s an Auburn fan — it’s just his way of life! He literally gives everything 110%. Over the years, James has been instrumental in many facets of ATA. He helped revitalize the Sports Turf Field Day, lobbied for water rights for our industry, hosted numerous meetings, gave several presentations on industry topics, planned many meetings and conferences, represented our association at numerous industry events and served on the ATA board of directors for six years (including one phenomenal year as president), and he is currently serving as editor of our magazine. No wonder the ATA board presented him with the Member of the Year award at our Annual Conference last fall. He deserved it! James was introduced to the green industry while working for two garden center/nursery operations when he was a teenager. He later earned two degrees, an Associate in Applied Science from Jefferson State Junior College and a Bachelor of Science from Auburn University. While in college, he worked at the horticulture greenhouses at both schools and gained much experience through his internships at Longwood

Gardens in Kennett Square, PA, and Monrovia Nursery in Azusa, CA. After college, James worked for a landscaping and lawncare business for four years. He then went to work for the City of Birmingham, where he has been now for 27 years. The last 6 years with the City of Birmingham, James has served as director of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, and 10 years prior to that as deputy director of the Horticulture and Urban Forestry Department. Over the years, James designed and supervised the installation of multiple landscapes and floral displays across Birmingham, and he established a lawncare program and route system for the city that is still used today. In 1997–98, James led the city’s design team in building a state-of-the-art greenhouse complex, one of the largest in the Southeast. James’ most challenging work was between 1996 and 2004, when he supervised the sand-based turfgrass maintenance at Legion Field. Looking back on the highlights of his career, James’ best memories include all the events at Legion Field from 1984 through 2004, including several Iron Bowl games, the first two SEC Championship games in 1991 and 1992, and the 1996 Olympic Soccer games. In 1999, the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) named Legion Field the College Football Field of the Year, an honor well deserved. James had the privilege of working

with the late Dr. Coleman Ward, who consulted during those years, along with many fine employees and members of ATA. A typical work day for James begins in the early hours, before the sun comes up, and lasts until late in the evening, well after the sun has gone down. He’s not only committed to his career and industry, but also to his beautiful wife, Rhoda, his four children — Joshua (age 32), Zachary (29), Valerie (27) and Benjamin (24) — and one step-son, Grayson (22). James is also very involved at St. Henry Catholic Church in Warrior, AL. Although ATA is indebted to James for his many years of service, he feels that ATA has given him much more. “The professional interactions at the Annual Conferences, RoadShow Seminars, Field Days and board meetings have given me the information and confidence to solve problems and try new things, while utilizing the budget in the most efficient manner possible,” he says. “I have made friends across the state that I would never have had the opportunity to meet except through ATA. How great is that!” James, thank you so much for all your years of service to ATA and our industry. The world needs more dedicated people like you. We are proud and honored to have you as a member of ATA. How great is that!

Alabama Turf Times >>> S p r i n g 2011

Recent Event >>>

ATA ROADSHOW SEMINARS!

News from Auburn University >>>

Thanks for Stopping at the

his winter ATA hit the road again and held five seminars across the state. Seminars were held in Birmingham, Dothan, Huntsville, Loxley and Montgomery. Over 388 turf managers joined us at the stops along the way. Thank you to everyone who attended the seminars and for making them successful! We would like to thank our fabulous speakers who drove all over Alabama to give their presentations to our members: Austin Hagan, Dave Han, David Held, Michael Flessner, Jim Jacobi, Scott McElroy, Kim Pope and Tim Reed. We would also like to thank Scott Wanzor of PBI-Gordon who sponsored lunch at all the seminars and for all the free samples! Other sponsors who we would like to thank include: Beard Equipment Company for cooking lunch in Loxley, AGRI-AFC LLC, Agrium Advanced Technology, DuPont Professional Products, Ewing, Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation, John Deere Landscapes, Humphries Turf Supply and Sur-Line Turf for exhibiting at our seminars. Your support is greatly appreciated and is directly related to the success of these meetings.

Auburn Weed Scientist

RECEIVES AWARD S

cott McElroy, associate professor and researcher in turfgrass weed science in the Department of Agronomy and Soils at Auburn University, won the Southern Weed Science Society’s 2011 Outstanding Young Weed Scientist Award at the organization’s annual meeting in Puerto Rico in February. The society presents the award each year to a weed scientist from academia who is 40 years old or younger and who has excelled in teaching, research, extension and other service to weed science. McElroy’s research focuses on herbicide evaluation for use in turfgrass management and on the development of sustainable pest management practices for turfgrass. Also during the society’s recent meeting, two of McElroy’s doctoral students, Jared Hoyle and Hunter Perry, claimed top spots in student competitions. Hoyle placed first in the Ph.D. poster contest, and Perry finished second in the oral Ph.D. paper category.

In Memory…

COLEMAN WARD, Alabama Turf Times >>> S p r i n g 2011

are sad to announce the passing of Coleman Ward (age 82) of Nashville, TN, on February 15, 2011. Coleman was a professor of agronomy, a turfgrass researcher and a mentor to many at Auburn University. For many years, he served as the Alabama Turfgrass Association’s executive director and educational advisor, consulting and uniting turfgrass managers all over Alabama and the panhandle of Florida. There is probably not a sod farm, golf course, sports field or lawncare company in the state of Alabama that has not benefited from his work. In a pursuit to secure turfgrass-research funding for years to come, Coleman was instrumental in organizing the Alabama Turfgrass Research Foundation. He was also active in many professional organizations and served as a deacon in the Baptist Church. He will be missed by many in our organization and will be forever appreciated for his work in the turfgrass industry. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Alice, and the entire Ward family.

Auburn Professor

Cover Story >>>

By Bill Marbet and Glenn Lucas, Southern Athletic Fields

Alabama Turf Times >>> S p r i n g 2011

uring mid-February, when the temperatures are still cold and the bermudagrass is dormant, preparations begin for a tournament that will take place at the end of May. It is possibly the biggest tournament played in the Southeast… the SEC Baseball Tournament, held at Regions Park, Hoover, Alabama. Over the next few paragraphs, we will try to give you some insight into what it takes to make this tournament go flawlessly for everyone involved, including the game administrators, groundskeepers, fans, players, etc.

As we all know, planning is an important part to creating a successful tournament, when — after all the hard work, long days and sweat — you can sit back and say that it has been a great week. For the past 12 years, the grounds crew for the SEC Baseball Tournament has been a combination of the fulltime guys for the Birmingham Barons and volunteers from around the Southeast. The grounds crew has included a train engineer, insurance agent, high school baseball coaches, major- and minor-league groundskeepers, college

sports-turf managers and parks and recreation supervisors.

The week’s timeline for the tournament Sunday Part of the crew arrives to start fieldwork in preparation for the week. The SEC logos must be painted on the field, usually behind home plate and down the 1st and 3rd base lines. These can be very detailed, and some painting might start on Sunday, since the logos must be dry by Tuesday morning’s practice.

game begins. The teams have 30 minutes between games to get ready for the first pitch. Immediately upon completion of a game, the crew goes to work for 30 minutes to re-prep the field: • The mound, home plate and bullpens are repacked. • The bases are replaced. • The skinned infield is dragged. • The baselines are broomed and rechalked. • The catcher’s box and batter’s box are rechalked. • The infield skinned area is watered and readied for play. This procedure is repeated four times, as we will also do all this fieldwork before we leave for the night. Depending on how long the games run, it is not uncommon for the grounds crew to leave at midnight or later. Friday Two games are scheduled for this day, with a 3 p.m. game time. Today is not as early as the previous ones, but still there is work to be done: • The logos are repainted. • The foul lines and coaches boxes are repainted. • All clay areas are inspected, and any issues that come up over the past two days are addressed. Saturday Two games are on the schedule, with the possibility of four, depending on who wins the two games. With this possible, the crew’s schedule is the same as for Wednesday/Thursday.

Also, we formulate our game plan and prep our equipment for the busy day on Monday.

Tuesday At 10 a.m., practice for all eight teams begins. If they so choose, they all get a one-hour practice, with 10 minutes between practices for field prep, watering and dragging. Wednesday/Thursday At 6:30 a.m., the grounds crew arrives at the stadium. There are four games scheduled for both Wednesday and Thursday, and at 9:30 a.m., the first

We have found that a planning and cooperation between all entities involved is the only way to have a trouble-free tournament. And then, just when you think you have all the I’s dotted and T’s crossed, you can expect rain to be in the forecast! Continued on page 16 >>

Alabama Turf Times >>> S p r i n g 2011

Monday The crew arrives at the field at 6:30 a.m. and begins the day’s assigned tasks, which include: painting logos and foul lines; edging the infield and warning track; preparing the game mound, home plate and bullpen mounds; nailing and floating the infield and baselines, etc. Every part of the field receives some work prior to the tournament. We usually head home

or back to the hotel around 7 p.m. that evening.

Sunday The championship game is played at 1:00 p.m. and aired on ESPN2. Today, our goal is to make the field look and play as good as it did for the 9:30 a.m. game on Wednesday.

Cover Story >>> Continued

a relaxing chair/chaise lounge is a great place to rest during the down times of the tournaments. 4. Readiness… hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. Be prepared for weather. Hold a meeting a few weeks in advance of the tournament to devise an action plan as to who will make the decision to tarp the field during wet weather. Once the game starts, if you need to tarp, it usually rests on the shoulders of the umpires, along with the groundskeeper, to get it pulled onto the field. Your crew should include a reliable person who is closely monitoring the weather forecasts to alert you to possible changes. Let him know that he is just as important as the person tamping the mound, and he will feel a part of the tournament.

By Bill Marbet and Glenn Lucas, Southern Athletic Fields

Alabama Turf Times >>> S p r i n g 2011

Tournament prep starts days and weeks before the first pitch of the first game. As we all know, most tournaments are 20 minutes of work and 2 to 3 hours of waiting for the work to start again. Below are some tips to help make your tournaments smoother and your job easier. These are just some of the tips that we have thought about and hope you can use during your tournaments this year. 1. Time your fertilizer schedule for the tournament and beyond. Turf needs to be durable as well as green. The tournament schedule should be incorporated into your yearlong program/plan. The timing of fertilizer applications in advance of your tournaments will allow the turfgrass to look its best and hopefully be healthy enough to withstand the increased traffic over the course of many games. Also, the schedule should allow for adequate time — and your plan should have enough maintenance practices in place — for

your field to recover in time for any following games, after the tournament. 2. Out of gas? Equipment in good repair? Has the oil been changed? Have the tires been properly inflated, reels sharpened/backlapped, grease fittings lubricated, fluid levels checked? Fill all machines with fuel daily. There is nothing worse than running out of gas on the infield groomer while trying to drag an infield before a game. 3. Under cover? Arrange for a workers’ area that is shaded/covered and have water/sports drinks and food for the crew. Taking care of the crew should be a top priority! If you are the head groundskeeper, taking care of your crewmembers is important since they are a reflection of you and your work during the year. If they feel well and properly hydrated, fed and not sunburned, then they will put forth their best effort during the tournament. Also, during the long days,

5. Hungry? If you have a chance to eat, then do. Hunger can cause short tempers, especially in tense situations (which will happen during long, hot days of tournaments). Eat foods that are not very heavy on your stomach. Pizza is easy, but not always best. If food is not easily accessible at your venue, plan ahead, and pack a cooler with sandwich meat, cheese, bread and condiments for the crew. 6. Always look professional. Consider having a uniform dress code for the grounds crew during tournaments. The crew is just as important as the teams taking the field for play. Look like a team, and act as a team. In order for you to be taken seriously as a groundskeeper and as a crew, you need to present yourself in a professional manner. If you look professional, then you will automatically earn the respect of the umpires and tournament coordinators. 7. Manage your crew. Have a plan for each crewmember, pre and post game. Delegate duties, making sure you have qualified people (full timers in position to get the job done in a timely manner). Use volunteers, who are very important keys to the crew, alongside full-time people, so they can be better equipped to help with future tournaments.

Cover Story >>> Continued

8. Everybody’s job is safety. Safety should be the top concern that we strive to meet on the field. Be sure to remove all items from the field that are not needed for play. The last thing you want to do is leave a nail or screwdriver on the field for a player to “find” later. 9. Never leave home without a change of clothes. The bag that you pack should include socks, shoes, shorts, extra shirts, toiletries, towel, a pullover for nighttime and rain gear. Two pairs of shoes are important — one for morning prepping time of the fields, and one pair for the pre-game and post-game work. Dew can make your shoes just as wet as rain. 10. Take time to drink. Dehydration can lead to other serious problems. Staying hydrated with water or sports drinks can make you more effective when working on the fields and make your time spent at the tournament more enjoyable and rewarding.

Alabama Turf Times >>> S p r i n g 2011

11. Togetherness. As Charles Bloom, an SEC Baseball Tournament director once said, “The grounds crew is the glue that holds the SEC Baseball Tournament together.” The entire crew needs to understand that one part of the crew is just as important as the other. Chalking, repacking bullpen areas and dragging the field are all important duties that need to be completed to the best. The grounds crew should strive to give the teams playing in the championship game the same field conditions as the teams playing on the first day of the tournament. 12. Inventory all materials and hand tools. Some of the items you need to have on hand as you prepare for the tournament include field conditioners, drying agents, mound clay, marking chalk and enough tools to accommodate your crew (rakes, tamps, drag mats, stiff drags for baselines/edges, nail drag, push brooms, etc.). The list of tools needed varies, depending on the size of your tournament crew and the facility being maintained. Although often overlooked as a tool used for fieldwork, a backpack blower can be used at night or early mornings

for cleaning dugouts and blowing out the lips from the day’s play. It is a timesaving tool. Try not to use the backpack blower during the day, however, as it can disrupt coaches trying to prep their teams for the games. 13. Plan for your pre- and postgame entrance and exits. Where does the crew enter the field? Do they have easy access to the tarp? Who is responsible for opening the gate for field access? Will the way the crew enters the field also be used for emergency vehicles? If so, don’t block the gate with equipment. Who is responsible for closing the gates and securing them after the game? 14. Don’t forget the sunscreen. Waterproof/sweat-proof sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or greater is ideal. Bullfrog works great, too, for prevention of sunburn. We also recommend wearing a straw hat, with a wide brim on it to

prevent sunburn on the forehead. Some aloe might be nice to have in the refrigerator, just in case someone does get a little sunburned. Southern Athletic Fields encourages facilities to host tournaments because it not only spotlights the facility, but it also makes those in charge do the detail work to make the area better. Southern Athletic Fields (Columbia, TN) has served as the official grounds crew provider for the SEC Baseball Tournament (1999 to present), TSSAA Spring Fling Championships, TN Junior College Baseball/Softball Tournaments and a Sun Championship, among many others. We feel that the information provided above is just a small list of things to think about when preparing for a tournament. As we all know, tournaments place our facilities in high visibility, and as turf managers, we want them to look and perform their best.

Turf Tips >>>

Turf Tips By David Han, Ph.D., Auburn University

Golf Summer brings heat and humidity, and that brings good growing weather for fungi. Especially on greens, that means itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fungicide season. Remember that fungicides require their own application techniques to ensure good results. First, use enough water. Most fungicides (and especially contact fungicides) give best results for foliar diseases when applied in at least 2 gallons per 1,000 ft2 (roughly 80 gallons per acre), especially on tees and greens. The large volume is needed to ensure good coverage on the dense canopy. For root diseases, 5 or more gallons per 1,000 ft2 may be needed to move the fungicide into the soil where it can be taken up by roots. Most fungicides are not translocated downwards in plants, so to protect roots with a fungicide, it has to be in the soil and taken up at the root level.

Lawn care With the loss of MSMA on home lawns, controlling grassy weeds post emergence is tougher and more expensive. If you missed your preemergence window, there are still some options. For crabgrass, products with quinclorac are becoming standard. Quinclorac is available in many of the new pre-mixed herbicide products or alone as Drive XLR8. For goosegrass, Revolver (foramsulfuron) is available for bermudagrass and zoysiagrass, and Dismiss (sulfentrazone) for all warmseason turfgrasses. Dallisgrass control will be more problematic, especially in the summer. Fall spot treatment with Revolver or Roundup (once the desired grass has gone dormant) appears to be the most successful strategy.

Athletic turf If you have the luxury of an off period in the summertime between spring and fall seasons or practice, be sure to make the most of it. As soon as bermudagrass is actively growing and traffic permits, begin an aerification program. Remember that aerification is an ongoing process: one run of the aerifier usually will not show significant results, but a consistent program will certainly yield benefits. Topdressing should be done lightly, with an application of 1/8" to 1/4" as the goal. The idea is to apply just enough sand to have it work its way into the thatch layer, not to bury the thatch and turf.

Alabama Turf Times >>> S p r i n g 2011

Sod production As of this writing, the price of crude oil is above $100 per barrel and forecast to remain high through the summer. This will certainly translate into increased fuel and shipping costs. As of press time, the national average for diesel fuel was above $3.70 per gallon and rising. Energy prices are notoriously volatile, and unforeseen circumstances can always impact without warning. For example, before the recent political turmoil in the Middle East, the U.S. Department of Energy was forecasting diesel prices to average about $3.43 for 2011. That seems unlikely now, and a return to 2008 conditions is a very real possibility. Whether these costs can be passed on to the customer is a good question. Sod prices often defy common logic.

Alabama Turf Times >>> S p r i n g 2011

<<< Turf Talk

By Dave Han, Ph.D., Auburn University

Nobody likes to see turfgrass fail at establishment, yet it happens from time to time. Even more common is turfgrass that seems to establish well initially, but then thins and has trouble growing well over the long term. All too often, mistakes made at the time of establishment cause maintenance problems for years afterward. If you want to be sure that your sod fails, here are the top five ways to do it â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and maybe you can increase your chances of success if you stay away from these common mistakes.

#5. Use the wrong turfgrass for the environment or plant it in too much shade.

(Above) Photo 1: Soil testing can reveal potential problems before a new planting fails, like this lawn where the pH was 7.8. Consequently, the zoysiagrass sod failed to root satisfactorily.

Alabama Turf Times >>> S p r i n g 2011

Everybody likes to save money. That doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean, however, that the cheapest grass is always the best choice long

term. One example of this is seen all the time: bermudagrass planted where there is way too much shade for it to survive long term. Yes, bermudagrass may be only half as expensive as most other sod, but there are limits to what it can do. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s true that the improved shade toler-

ance of TifGrand bermudagrass will help here, but there are still many places where bermudagrass is not the right choice. Sure, you may save some money up front, but you will pay more in the long run in the headaches associated with thin turf and the eventual cost to replace that turf. Remember that landscape plants grow, so choose a grass with the long term in mind. Back in the days when people bought houses to flip them in a few years, perhaps nobody cared about the long-term maintenance of their lawns and landscapes. But if you plan to live in a house for ten or more years, then new trees can become a concern. Why plant a bermudagrass lawn that will be shaded out in 5 years, when you

Turf Talk >>> Continued

could plant a grass that is less susceptible to shade and not have to worry for 15 years? We also have to face facts: there are many areas where turfgrass will simply not survive in the long run due to heavy shade. It is a part of a good landscaper’s responsibility to recognize these areas and to suggest alternatives to turfgrass. I like to say that the best tool to use for improving turfgrass health is often a chainsaw. That is true, but people tend to like trees, and sometimes we turfgrass people have to realize that and give in to plants that do truly love shade.

#4. Don’t know where your sod is coming from. One of the only good things about the lagging economy these days (unless you are a sod farmer) is that there is plenty of sod available for purchase. This makes it easy to shop around for sod and to deal with only reputable growers who know what they are doing and will sell you high-quality grass. If possible, check out their references, and remember that a well-run sod farm won’t be offended if you want to see the grass before you buy it, especially if you are a regular customer.

Buying certified sod will guarantee that there are no noxious weeds in the sod and will provide a paper trail of the sod’s origins to help ensure that you are getting the variety you expect. Many of the newer varieties of turfgrass must be grown under license and also provide safeguards to ensure the genetic purity of the sod you are buying. It costs more, but in many cases, it is worth it to ensure a uniform product over the long term.

#3. Plant during periods of heavy stress. Although one of the best things about laying sod is that it gives the maximum

Alabama Turf Times >>> S p r i n g 2011

Photo 2: Sometimes there is just too much shade for good turfgrass growth. There is a place for turf, but this is not it.

Continued >>> Turf Talk

flexibility in terms of establishment timing, there are limits to what sod will take. Sod that is laid during the heat of the summer, especially if irrigation is not available (see #2 below), is much more likely to fail than sod laid in more mild temperatures. Sod is also more susceptible to problems when it is laid in the late fall while it is still partly green but going into dormancy. Early cold snaps while the grass is not yet well rooted, but not yet fully dormant either, can result in winterkill. If it is possible, consider putting off laying sod for a few weeks until it is dormant before transplanting sod. Another period of stress when it is best to avoid transplanting sod is during greenup in the spring. Often, turfgrasses will outgrow their root systems early in spring when air temperatures are high enough for shoot growth but soil temperatures still lag below what is needed for good root growth. Sometimes during greenup, sod will not even hold together well enough to harvest and stack right. Again, it is better to plant while the grass is still dormant or after it is fully out of dormancy. One of the major advantages of sod is that it offers instant coverage. But, just because sod looks pretty right away, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no reason to allow traffic too soon. Sod needs time to root down into the soil and to grow lateral shoots to knit the pieces together. How long this takes will depend on a number of factors, like the weather and how well the soil was prepared (see #1 below). As a rule of thumb, for regular sod, allow three to four weeks during normal

growing conditions before subjecting the turf to heavy traffic like sports play.

#2. Mismanage water. Especially in the summer, irrigation is key to a good start with new sod plantings. Since it has such a limited root system, sod is especially prone to going dormant in hot, dry weather. A continuous supply of moisture is needed to encourage the roots to grow down into the underlying soil. Even in areas that prohibit outdoor watering during droughts, exceptions usually are made for the first 30 days or so after planting sod. If an area to be sodded will have a permanent irrigation system, it is always best to have the system finished and properly working before laying sod. Although schedules can sometimes become tangled during a construction project, make every effort to have some way of watering newly laid sod unless it is being laid while dormant. Even then, in especially dry winter weather, sod can dry out to the point of damage. Irrigating plants is, was and always will be a balancing act. Too much water is just as damaging as too little. Remember that with freshly laid sod, the idea is to encourage the roots to grow down into the soil underneath. To do this, there must be sufficient water in the underlying soil, but the surface should not be kept saturated, or the roots will remain shallow. A deeprooted turf is always stronger than a shallow-rooted one, so pay attention during establishment and reduce the frequency of irrigation after the first

few days, and let the top of the soil dry out to encourage roots to seek water deeper in the soil. Overwatering is also the most common mistake homeowners make in managing their lawns. Be sure to educate your clients on the right way to water turfgrass (hint: it is not by setting the timer to run for 15 minutes a day, whether it needs it or not), and make sure they know how to turn the irrigation off when it is raining. Smart controllers are great, but a smart operator is better.

#1. Neglect the soil

Alabama Turf Times >>> S p r i n g 2011

Soil testing is the cheapest insurance you can buy. Few things are as frustrating as having a truckload of sod die, only to find out afterward that you were trying to establish it in a soil with a pH of 4.7. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also worth pointing out that pre-plant soil testing gives you a chance to incorporate any lime or fertilizer needed throughout the entire rootzone, something that is impossible once the turf is established. Many soil labs are available, but make sure to use one that regularly handles soil from your area. Methods for extracting nutrients vary according to soil type, and a lab in another part of the country may use techniques that are not well suited to your local soil. If in doubt, ask whether a given lab routinely analyzes soil from your location. Compaction is the number one soil problem in many parts of the country. This is certainly true for most of the Southeast. Failing to deal with compaction issues before planting turf or, even worse, creating them while planting, can cause the unlucky souls who later get to manage the grass untold headaches and lots of money. Be as gentle as possible with the area to be planted. Keep equipment off as much as practical, and whenever possible, replace topsoil lost during construction. We all know how difficult it is to grow turf on hard, compacted soil. Why then is sod slapped down on top of it so often?

Turf Events >>>

Welcome, New ATA Members >>>

Turf Events

July 17–18

April 13

July 18–20

Auburn University Turfgrass Research Field Day Auburn, AL

April 25 Poa Annua Classic FarmLinks Golf Course Sylacauga, AL

ANLA Annual Meeting (American Nursery & Landscape Assn.) Liaison Capital Hill Washington, DC

ANLA Legislative Conference Liaison Capital Hill Washington, DC

July 18–22 TPI Summer Convention & Field Days (Turfgrass Producers International) Grand Sierra Resort Reno, NV

October 11-13, 2011 NEW DATE!

Arambage Abeysinghe Civil Engineering Assoc. Birmingham, AL 205-595-0301

2011 ATA Annual Turfgrass Conference & Tradeshow Auburn Univ. Hotel & Conf. Center Auburn, AL

James Dotson Rock Creek Golf Course Gulf Shores, AL 251-928-4227

October 27–29 Green Industry & Equipment Expo Kentucky Exposition Center Louisville, KY

Danny Duffey Southern State Turf Fayetteville, TN 931-438-9100 Jason McMichael Green & Clean Scottsboro, AL 256-599-3091 John Ramsey Gulf Shores Golf Club Foley, AL 251-968-7135

Index of Advertisers >>>

AGRI-AFC, LLC www.agri-afc.com . . Inside Front Cover The Anderson Technologies, Inc. www.andersonsgolfproducts.com . . . 21 Bayer www.bayerprocentral.com . . . . . . 9, 5 DuPont Professional Products www.proproducts.dupont.com . . . . . 7 Ewing Irrigation www.Ewing1.com . . . . . . . Back Cover Greenville Turf & Tractor, Inc. www.greenvilleturf.com . . . . . . . . . . 19 Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation www.jerrypate.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 NewLife Turf, Inc. www.newlifeturf.com . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Quali-Pro www.quali-pro.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Riebeling Farms, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Alabama Turf Times >>> S p r i n g 2011

Southern Specialty Equipment www.ssequip.net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Southern States Cooperative www.southernstates.com . . . . . . . . . 21 Sur-Line Turf, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 The Turfgrass Group . . . . . . . . . . . .3, 17 www.theturfgrassgroup.com Trebro Manufacturing . . . . .Inside Back Cover www.trebro.com Tri-Est Ag Group, Inc. formerly Hendrix & Dail . . . . . . . . . .26 www.hendrixanddail.com 26