New England Blade - March 2020

March 2020

The Do’s and Don’ts of Spring Fertility Springing Back After Spring Rain Member Spotlight on Vickie Wallace

2019 YEAR IN REVIEW

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CONTENTS • March 2020 FEATURES

10 Feature

The Do’s and Don’ts of Spring Fertility

DEPARTMENTS

12 Cover Story 13 Feature 2019 Year in Review

Springing Back After Spring Rain

14 Member

Spotlight

Vickie Wallace

6 President’s Message 7 Index of Advertisers 8 NESTMA HQ Update

On the cover: Bob Dill leads a tour of the Elm Bank soccer fields at NESTMA’s 2019 Summer Field Day.

Officers

Directors

Board of Trustees

President

Ed Ball Brewster Academy Wolfeboro, NH

Kim Britton Saint Anselm College Manchester, NH

Ben Polimer Town of Weston Weston, MA

President Elect

Advancing professionalism in sports turf management and athletic field safety through education, research, and scholarships.

The official publication of the New England Sports Turf Managers Association (NESTMA), the New England Blade is dedicated to educating, advising, and informing members of the profession and furthering the goals of the Association. The New England Blade carries news and features related to the sports turf management profession. Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited material and reserves the right to edit any article or advertisement submitted for publication and to refuse advertising not in keeping with the goals of the Association. Publisher assumes no responsibility for the validity of claims in connection with items appearing in the New England Blade. Mention of a commercial product does not imply endorsement by the New England Blade, NESTMA, or Leading Edge Communications, or preference over similar products not mentioned. The New England Blade is published quarterly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of NESTMA. Presorted standard postage is paid at Jefferson City, MO. Printed in the U.S.A. Advertising: For display and classified advertising rates and insertions, please contact Leading Edge Communications, LLC, 206 Bridge Street, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 790-3718, Fax (615) 794-4524.

4 • New England BLADE • March 2020

Chris McGinty Framingham Parks Department Framingham, MA

Treasurer

Art Goodhind Town of Natick Natick, MA

Secretary

Brian Boesch University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI

Past President Victoria Wallace UConn Extension Norwich, CT

Special Advisor

Mary Owen UMASS Turf Program Rochdale, MA

Ed Downing Read Custom Soils/ A.D. Makepeace Wareham, MA Matt McDonnell The Governor’s Academy Byfield, MA Ed Olsen Town of Needham Parks & Forestry Needham, MA Jason Puopolo, CSFM Clark University Worcester, MA Evan Steele Pioneer Athletics Billerica, MA Andrew Walsh Pine Banks Park Malden, MA

Michael Buras, CSFM Longwood Cricket Club Chestnut Hill, MA John Cunniff Walpole, MA

Management Team Virginia Wood, Executive Director Peggy Benjamin Kristen Dreyer Carrie Martin Charissa Sharkey

NESTMA Headquarters

8-D Pleasant Street South Natick, MA 01760 P: (508) 653-1241 F: (508) 653-4112 NESTMAinfo@gmail.com

Technical Editor Victoria Wallace University of Connecticut Extension

Published by:

Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, TN 37064 P: (888) 717-7141 LeadingEdgeCommunications.com

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

PLANNING FOR

W

A GREAT 2020!

hat does 2020 have in store for those of us who work in New England’s sports turf industry? Of course, we are hoping for not too much snow and a dry spring to get baseball games in, but what about some things we may overlook this winter?

Being organized and planning ahead makes you a better turf manager and a better professional. Are you up-to-date on your record keeping and budgets? Did you keep track of all of your fertilizer and pesticide applications in 2019? Have you checked in with your peers at industry-related educational events?

Is your staff current with their licenses including pesticide applicators, hydraulics, and CDL? Investing in proper licensure and recertification highlights the importance of safety and brings everyone into compliance.

Did you take the opportunity for continuing education with your staff during downtime over the winter? There are so many topics that can be talked about: from First Aid and CPR to

equipment operation and agronomics. Ongoing training is important for everyone’s safety and may help your team understand why you are doing things a certain way. Take 10 minutes to watch a YouTube training video, have a white board discussion, or gather around a piece of equipment and talk about safe operations.

Leadership comes in many forms — teaching, training, and educating — and all combine to help us be the best professionals we can in 2020!

Ben Polimer NESTMA President

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6 • New England BLADE • March 2020

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March 2020 • New England BLADE • 7

NESTMA HQ UPDATE

2020 SCHEDULE

Mark your calendar now for these upcoming NESTMA events, watch your email for details, and learn more at NESTMA.org.

SPORTS TURF AWARDS LUNCHEON

March 3 – 5

New England Regional Turfgrass Conference

Rhode Island Convention Center Providence, RI NERTF.org

Wednesday, March 4, 2020 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Rhode Island Convention Center Providence, RI Award Presentations • Idea Exchange Great Food • Good Company Complimentary for current NESTMA members.

Wednesday, March 4 NESTMA Sports Turf Awards & Lunch

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Please reserve your spot by February 25, 2020

ONLINE: NESTMA.ORG CALL: (508) 653-1241

WINTER DINNER MEETING RECAP NESTMA members enjoyed a terrific presentation at the February 4 dinner meeting. Patrick Maguire, President and Founding Principal of Activitas, gave attendees an exclusive look at how a 68-acre derelict site, with countless development shortcomings, was transformed into a one-of-a-kind Major League Soccer training facility for the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium. Members learned how these next-level fields were designed, constructed and maintained.

MANY THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Rotunda Room Rhode Island Convention Center Providence, RI

Wednesday, April 29

NESTMA Turf Techniques Workshop 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

DeFazio Park Needham, MA

Wednesday, August 5

NESTMA Summer Field Day

8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Devens Community Recreation Center Devens, MA

Tuesday, September 15

NESTMA Turf Techniques Workshop 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Dean Park Shrewsbury, MA

Thursday, October 1

MALCP/NESTMA Golf Tournament Butter Brook Golf Club Westford, MA

Tuesday, December 8

NESTMA Annual Meeting & Dinner 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Ken’s Steak House Framingham, MA

8 • New England BLADE • March 2020

NESTMA HQ UPDATE

WELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBER NESTMA’s nominating committee opened elections in October and the results were announced to the membership in December.

Matt McDonnell, Governor’s Academy, and Ed Olsen, Town of Needham, MA, were re-elected and will continue their service as General Member directors on the board. NESTMA also welcomed Evan Steele, Field Sales Representative at Pioneer Athletics, as a new Commercial Partner director. A complete NESTMA board of directors listing can be found on page 4 of The Blade.

THANK YOU COMMERCIAL PARTNERS These companies partnered with NESTMA on one or more of our educational events and advertised in The Blade in 2019.

Please be sure to thank them for their support of our industry as you do business with them throughout the year.

• Agresource, Inc. • Atlantic Golf & Turf • Coversports USA

• New England Specialty Soils

• Gary Fialkosky Lawn Sprinklers

• Northeast Nursery Golf & Turf • Perkins Power Equipment

• Finch Services/ John Deere

• Pioneer Athletics

• Geese Police of Boston

• Read Custom Soils

• Green Haven Turf • Harrell’s • Charles C. Hart Seed Co.

EVAN STEELE

• MTE Turf Equipment Solutions

• Helena Agri Enterprises • Tom Irwin

• Rain Bird • SiteOne Landscape Supply • Sportsscapes Unlimited • Tuckahoe Turf Farm • Turf Products Corp.

• U.S. Playground

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March 2020 • New England BLADE • 9

FEATURE

There are situations where early season nitrogen may be appropriate. In most cases, however, only small amounts of nitrogen (0.1-0.5 lb N/1000 sq ft) are required to positively impact the turf. Use soluble or sulfur coated nitrogen sources. Avoid natural or synthetic organics and polymercoated products that need active microbial communities to release nutrients.

Here are just a few examples:

The Do’s and Don’ts of SPRING FERTILITY

By Bill Kreuser, Extension Turf Grass Specialist, University of Nebraska

G

enerally, I warn against a lot of nitrogen fertilizer in early spring. Turf usually grows at a rapid rate once soil temperatures remain around 50–55F. This explosion of growth is thought to be from freeze-thaw cycles during the winter that release plant available nitrogen.

Microbial activity is also low in early spring because the soils are cold. This means the grass roots have less competition for mineral nitrogen, and the grass surges once temperatures are conducive for growth in the spring. The spring growth surge can also be related to late fall and early winter nitrogen fertilization. Applying nitrogen at that time is very inefficient and most of the fertilizer remains in the soil until growth resumes in spring or it is lost to the environment. Adding large quantities of additional nitrogen in early spring can promote excessive shoot growth. This depletes carbohydrate (sugar) reserves before the stress of summer. This is the reason I advocate to use stand-alone preemergence herbicides (PREs) for the first spring app. A combination fertilizer + PRE product is better for a sequential application in late springearly summer.

10 • New England BLADE • March 2020

• High traffic in spring: Turf areas with extensive use in spring can benefit from small applications of nitrogen application in spring to promote regrowth and recovery.

Typical areas would include sports fields and golf courses with a lot of spring play.

• Lightly shaded areas: The lower sun angle in the fall can usually increase shade stress around trees and other structures. This leads to thinning of the turf in late fall. It can be beneficial to supply small amounts of nitrogen in the spring to build density and store sugars before the trees leafout. Shaded areas as a rule should be treated with minimal nitrogen, especially when the trees are full of leaves. Too much nitrogen in shade reduces carbohydrate reserves and promotes excessive growth as the turf tries to out-grow the trees.

• New turf stands: Areas of turf that were established last fall likely need more nitrogen fertilization to build density before the summer. These areas should receive enough fertilizer to promote 100% cover before the summer annual weeds take over later in the year. Older turf stands will need less nitrogen in the spring to achieve acceptable color than stands established in the past couple years.

• Achieve even green-up: Sometimes turf stands do not greenup evenly. This could be from different species in the lawn (i.e. tall fescue is generally slower than perennial ryegrass or older cultivars of Kentucky bluegrass). There may also be differences in the soil or dog spots from the winter. In these cases, small amounts of fertilizer will stimulate greenup without placing extra stress on the plant.

Spring is also a good time to soil test for other nutrients.

The most important nutrients to test for are phosphorus and potassium. Use a lab that can do the Mehlich-3 soil test method [e.g. UConn Soil Nutrient Analysis Lab www.soiltest.unconn.edu or UMass Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Lab https://ag.umass.edu/services/soil-plant-nutrienttesting-laboratory]. Fix deficiencies in the spring before the heat and stress of the summer. •

Bill Kreuser is Assistant Professor and Extension Turfgrass Specialist at the University of Nebraska. Contact Bill at wkreuser2@unl.edu. This article originally appeared in STMA’s Industry News Online.

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COVER STORY

2019

YEAR IN REVIEW

2019 offered a great year of programming for NESTMA members. Highlights include Turf Techniques Workshops, Awards Luncheon, Summer Field Day, Golf Tournaments, and a Winter Dinner Meeting. Kudos to the education committee for putting together an exceptional program, special thanks to our Commercial Partners for their generous support, and gratitude to the many members who participated throughout the year. Looking forward to continued success in 2020!

12 • New England BLADE • March 2020

FEATURE

SPRINGING BACK AFTER SPRING RAIN

How do we properly deal with the fluctuations in weather that Spring brings to the table?

Start at the Foundation.

The

proper infield mix is vital to having a safe and playable playing surface. Engineered soils provide the correct ratio of sand, silt, and clay for your level of play—aiding in maintenance and moisture management. Who you are determines where your soils levels should be and what you should do to balance your base soil. Making sure you have a properly installed, balanced base soil with an SCR between 0.5–1.0 will ensure a sturdy foundation. Just as sand, silt, and clay are necessary to make a good infield mix, proper grading for positive surface drainage, moisture management, and maintenance/grooming are all critical no matter the infield mix. Putting your infield to bed in the Fall will allow for an easier foundation to work with once Spring weather rolls around. It’s important to stay ahead of the curve and not just plan season to season.

During Spring, if you can get on the field prior to a weather event, it’s important to check the moisture in the infield. If the infield is dry and loose, the rain can make the loose surface turn into wet slop and, depending on the slope, can accelerate the chance of erosion and runoff. Although it may seem contrary, keep moisture in the infield so that it maintains a firm and stable surface. Dragging the infield with a rigid steel drag mat will help seal off the surface, but again, make sure there is some moisture in the surface otherwise it will not seal. The goal is to produce a strong infield surface that can withstand the elements, don’t do anything too abrasive like nail dragging or opening up the infield prior to any weather event.

Rolling the infield will also help pack it in and seal it off.

At a minimum, it’s recommended to roll the position areas, baselines, base cutouts, and home plate circle. Again, make sure there is enough moisture in the infield to obtain the proper compaction. This compaction will also help in the Spring since your infield will have gone through a series of freeze/thaw cycles causing the soil to loosen/soften up. It is important to note when it comes to rolling, that although there needs to be moisture in the infield for proper compaction, too much moisture can be troublesome. If material is sticking to your shoes or water becomes present in the footprints, then the infield is too soft to roll.

It’s important to check your edges to make sure there is a smooth transition into the turf and there isn’t a lip developing so that surface water can exit the field. Remember, a proper slope of an infield is designed to allow water to exit—the formation of lips, undulations, or substantial low areas can stop this natural process. Low areas will develop from time to time during the playing season however, it’s just imperative that they are not left untreated and any standing water is removed properly. Some field renovations or laser grading might be necessary if these issues persist.

Also important prior to a weather event, is to tarp your pitching area and home plate. If it’s a substantial weather event, tarp the entire infield skin surface. This will increase your chance of playing soon after the rain event ends. • This article originally appeared in DuraEdgeBlog.com in April 2019.

March 2020 • New England BLADE • 13

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

VICKIE WALLACE EXTENSION EDUCATOR • UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT • STORRS, CT

• NESTMA member for 30 years • Past President of NESTMA • Past STMA Board Member • Chair of STMA Environmental Committee • Chair of STMA BMP Task Force • Undergraduate Degree Ornamental Horticulture: Penn State University • Graduate Degree Plant Pathology/Entomology: University of Rhode Island Congratulations! Vickie was honored with the Dr. William H. Daniel Award at January’s STMA Conference in West Palm Beach, FL. The prestigious award recognizes educators who have made significant contribution to the sports turf industry through research, teaching, or extension outreach. Last year’s winner, Pam Sherratt of The Ohio State University, presented the award.

What was your first job in the industry?

When I graduated from URI, I worked as a sales representative for Lofts Seed, Inc. and handled retail and professional accounts for Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Where did you go from there?

I moved away from my regional sales position and became more involved in the professional turf division, providing technical agronomic support for distributors, as well as national lawn care, sod, sports turf, and golf accounts. I also served as the agronomist that worked with the advertising agency to develop marketing pieces for the professional turf division. The company was sold and became a part of a larger turf seed/forage company. In that new company, I continued in my role as the agronomist for the company’s marketing support and handled sales training for the landscape and sports turf markets. After that company folded, I joined Turf Seed/ Tee to Green as an agronomist/sales rep covering distributor support for the northeast states and eastern Canada, eventually I went back to a regional sales role with Valley Green, Inc. for a couple of years before joining the faculty at UConn. I have been at UConn for 10 years, coordinating sustainable turf/landscape programs.

Who was your mentor when you were first starting out in the business, and why?

There were 2 people that definitely supported me early in my career: Dr. Richard Hurley, the Director of Research for Lofts Seed, and Dr. Noel Jackson at URI. I met Rich the summer between my sophomore and junior year in college, when I applied for a summer position to work at the Lofts’ research facility. The following summer, he recommended me to work as an intern in Holland with Barenburg Seed, one of Lofts’ European seed partners. He encouraged me to pursue a graduate degree and career in turf.

Noel Jackson was a preeminent turf pathologist and my major professor at URI. I learned a lot from him while pursuing my graduate studies. And, I can acknowledge, he was instrumental in my meeting my future husband.

14 • New England BLADE • March 2020

What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received?

If you are asked a question and don’t know the answer, don’t make something up. Get the answer and follow up with the person that asked the question.

Always try to treat people the way you would like to be treated. Be honest and respectful to those you work with and you should expect to be treated in the same fashion.

What advice would you share with people starting out in sports turf management today?

Two pieces of advice: To quote a person that was one of my dearest friends, the former sports turf manager at University of Tennessee and past president of STMA, Bobby Campbell, “This in an industry where, if we do our jobs correctly, we help create memories. As professionals and caretakers of the fields, it is our responsibility to remember that as we complete our tasks.

We do not want that memory to be based on a bad playing field. We need to pay attention to every detail in everything that we do.”

To professionals starting in the sports turf industry… this industry is a great industry in which to be involved. I have met sports turf managers from across the country and if anyone asks for help to solve a problem, or share equipment or recommended practice, every one of the sports turf managers I have met will not hesitate to take the time to help their fellow sports turf professional. So, make an effort to get to know others in our profession, attend the NESTMA Field Days or Workshops, and network every time the opportunity presents itself. You will come away from each event excited because you learned something of value or met someone that shares your passion for athletic field management.

Since the beginning of your career, what is the biggest change you’ve seen in the sports turf industry?

I see advancement in the professionalism of sports turf manager as a positive change. The Certified Sports Field Manager (CFSM) is the national certification program that many in the profession attain to advance themselves professionally. With the advancement of environmental sustainability, sports turf professionals also are advancing the environmental stewardship of their facilities. We are becoming more involved with measures that preserve the environment.

What is the next “game-changer” you see on the horizon for the sports turf industry?

The ability to use cell phones/internet to communicate and problem solve has been a game changer for turf professionals.

Being in the middle of a field and using the phone to take a picture of a pest problem, an irrigation concern, or a piece of equipment just makes the STM more efficient.

I am amazed at how drones, and the new technology associated with them, have positively impacted the industry and advanced their use as a diagnostic tool.

I am also pleased to see advancements in the use of biological control products that support turf pest management and address some regulatory concerns.

What have you enjoyed most about being a NESTMA member?

Friendships formed is the thought that first comes to mind.

Friendships are renewed each year at Field Days and Workshops. Networking opportunities have been invaluable.

I feel I can reach out to any NESTMA member at any time to discuss any issue. I have benefitted from serving on NESTMA committees and the NESTMA board. I was glad to be a part of the board that brought in our new management team.

As a longtime member of STMA, I have expanded my ability to network with STMs across the country. I have been able to work on committees that strengthen my professional skillset and support my genuine passions and interests. Currently, I am Chair of the Environmental Committee. It has been exciting to be a part of the development of the STMA Environmental Certification Program. This program will help define STMs as environmental stewards and provide great credibility to the association and the profession. In 2020, I am part of the task force that will develop a national template for Sports Turf BMPs. That document will be another game-changer in advancing our industry’s professionalism.

Can you share a bit about your family life and what you enjoy doing in your free time?

My interests outside of work are pretty simple. I love to cook, fuss with my plants (both in the house and garden), and go antiquing. In the summer I enjoy kayaking on Narragansett Bay or taking walks along the shore line of Rhode Island. An occasional game of golf is fun, too. Many in the industry know my husband David. He also has been in the turf industry for many years, most recently as owner of Tartan Farms, providing sod primarily to the golf and landscape sectors of the industry.

Dave and I have two adult children: our daughter, Kate and son-in-law Matt, and our son, Andrew. •

March 2020 • New England BLADE • 15

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