Awards & Annual Meeting: March 5
New Synthetic Turf Seminar @ NERTC
Spotlight on Mike Malvoso
IT DOESN’T MATTER THE SEASON HARRELL’S HAS YOU COVERED.
For nearly 30 years, POLYON® controlled-release fertilizer has been used with confidence for its predictable performance and labor-saving benefits. Industry proven, trusted by sports turf managers everywhere. If your goal is safe, durable and beautifully playable turf – season in and season out – no fertilizer feeds your success like POLYON® fertilizer.
Choose POLYON® fertilizer and you will get guaranteed results backed by our POLYON® Guarantee.
For more information, visit www.polyon.com or contact your Territory Manager today!
JIM FAVREAU MASSACHUSETTS jfavreau@harrells.com (978) 227-2785
MIKE KROIAN RI, MA mkroian@harrells.com (401) 265-5353
TOM LOPEZ CT tlopez@harrells.com (860) 488-2649
JIM WIERZBICKI CT, RI jwierzbicki@harrells.com (860) 424-7250
KENT LEMME NORTHEAST klemme@harrells.com (413) 281-8087
TOM HOFFER NORTHEAST thoffer@Harrells.com (401) 871-2916
IAN WILLIAMS NORTHEAST iwilliams@harrells.com (781) 664-4519
LANCE BLASS NORTHEAST lblass@harrells.com (570) 956-0974
CONNOR CINQUE NORTHEAST ccinque@Harrells.com (603) 930-1861
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT FEATURES
The official publication of the New England Sports Field Managers Association (NESFMA), 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 field 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, NESFMA, or Leading Edge Communications, or preference over similar products not mentioned. The New England Blade is published quarterly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of NESFMA. 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, Suite 200, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 790-3718.
COLUMNS
Officers
President Art Goodhind Town of Natick Natick, MA
President Elect
Ryan Bjorn Gillette Stadium Foxborough, MA
Treasurer Andrew Carlisle, CGM Worcester Technical High School Worcester, MA
Past President Chris McGinty Framingham Parks Department Framingham, MA
Directors
Tom Barry, CSFM Greens Farms Academy Greens Farms, CT
Bryan Conant
Nashua Parks & Recreation Nashua, NH
Brendon Connor Holy Cross Worcester, MA
Adam Ferrucci
Read Custom Soils Wareham, MA
Scott Lagana Turf Products Corp. Holden, MA
Christopher Lilly Blackstone Valley Regional Technical Vocational High School Upton, MA
Michael Malvoso
Needham Parks & Forestry Needham, MA
Scott Vose
Tom Irwin Advisors Tynsborough, MA
Board of Trustees
Mike Lueders Medfield, MA
Edward Olsen
Needham Parks & Forestry Needham, MA
Victoria Wallace University of Connecticut Storrs, CT
Management Team
Virginia Wood Executive Director
Charissa Sharkey
Membership Manager
Peggy Benjamin Bookkeeper
Technical Editor
Victoria Wallace University of Connecticut Storrs, CT
New England Sports Field Management Association, Inc. 67 West Street Medfield, MA 02052 (508) 653-1241 NE-SFMA.org
A GRANULAR SOIL CONDITIONER AND SURFACTANT THAT INFLUENCES WATER’S ABILITY TO FLOW INTO AND THROUGHOUT THE PROFILE OF INFIELD SKINS.
The ability of your infield to uniformly retain and move water affects the safety and performance of the playing surface. In-Flow™ helps sports turf managers find the desired balance between water retention and movement, resulting in a better performing infield over a longer period of time.
Benefits of In-Flow
• Use less water to get optimal playing conditions
• Reduces migration of infield material into turf
• Maintains moisture level for longer
• Enhances performance of calcine clay conditioners
• Beneficial for all surfaces, both turf and infield
• Environmentally safe, economical, and easy to use
2025: A New Chapter for NE-SFMA
Hello members and friends,
Welcome to a New Year and a new chapter of this historic association!
Thank you for your trust to lead this organization and continue the tradition of offering valuable networking opportunities and support to inspire the next generation of sports field professionals. A thank you to Chris McGinty for his service to the association as President for the past four years. Chris moves to Past President, and I will value his guidance as we progress with new NE-SFMA initiatives.
We hope to see you at the New England Regional Turfgrass Conference, March 4 – 6, 2025 in Providence. Past Presidents of NE-SFMA Ben Polimer and Mike Buras serve on the Regional Board and represent our association’s interests. Ben has been developing a great line up of presentations and the NERTF board never fails to provide a valuable and professional event. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for our Awards and Annual Meeting on Wednesday, March 5 at 11:00 a.m. More details on page 10.
For 2025 we welcome a new Board of Trustees for the Association’s Trust Fund. Victoria Wallace will continue to serve as trustee and we welcome new trustees Ed Olsen and Mike Lueders. These folks play an important role in providing financial and strategic guidance for NE-SFMA. The Board of Trustees also includes myself as President and Andrew Carlisle as Treasurer in order to ensure continuity between the Association and the Trust.
FOMO ALERT! For those who could not attend our meeting this past December I am sorry. It was a very fun and historic day. Thank you to Jay Rourke for the once in a lifetime tour of the New Balance TRACK facility in Brighton, MA. The value of this facility to the community is just amazing and we even saw Olympic runners at practice! In addition, a thank you to the Stockyard Restaurant where we enjoyed a great meal, entertained by the legendary Tom Caron, NESN’s host for Boston Red Sox coverage. As a special treat and impromptu surprise for Tom, Hockey Hall of Fame player and referee Paul Stewart interrupted us! A great day and the type of experience I hope we can provide and share with our members throughout the region in the years to come.
As your new president, I will end with a call to action for all of us. Support this great organization as best you can and stay engaged. If you would like to support a current committee, or join the Board of Directors in future years, please let us know. Finally, know that our greatest influence and power comes when we gather to celebrate, learn and inspire.
A belated New Year’s toast… to you, the next generation, and our prosperous future!
Cheers,
Art Goodhind NE-SFMA President
These companies support NE-SFMA with their membership investment and involvement. Please be sure to thank them for their support of our industry as you do business with them throughout the year.
A-OK Turf Equipment – www.aokturfequip.com
Activitas, Inc – activitas.com
Aqua-Aid, Inc. – aquaaidsolutions.com
Atlantic Golf and Turf – atlanticgolfandturf.com
Brock USA – brockusa.com
Covermaster Inc. – covermaster.com
Finch Turf – finchturf.com
Franklin Paint Company – franklinpaint.com
G.P.S. New England Mapping Services
Golf Course Management, Inc.
Greenhaven Turf Care – greenhaventurf.com
H2O Irrigation – h2o-irrigation.com
Harrell’s – harrells.com
Hayner Swanson Inc – hayner-swanson.com
Helena Agri-Enterprises – helenaprofessional.com
Liberty Landscapes, LLC –libertyathleticfieldcontractors.com
MJ Cataldo Inc. – mjcataldo.com
Mountain View Landscapes & Lawncare –mountainviewinc.com
MTE, Inc. – mte.us.com
Natural Tree & LawnCare – naturaltree.com/about
New England Pro Greens & Turf – turfinstaller.net
North Turf Inc. – Northturf.com
Northeast Nursery Inc – northeastnursery.com
Nufarm Americas – nufarm.com/usturf.com
Osborne Organics, LLC – osborneorganics.com
Pioneer Athletics – pioneerathletics.com
Precision Laboratories, LLC – www.precisionlab.com
Read Custom Soils/A.D. Makepeace – readcustomsoils.com
Replay Maintenance USA – replaymaintenanceusa.com
Richey & Clapper, Inc – richeyandclapper.com
S & D Landscapes, LLC –www.facebook.com/LandscapeVermont
Sherwood Sportsturf
Silico Turf, LLC
SiteOne Landscape Supply – siteone.com/golfsales
Slater Farms LLC – slaternaturalfarms.com
SODCO INC – www.sodco.net
Sodco, Inc. – sodco.net
Specialized Turf Services, Inc. – sportsturfspecialties.com
Sports Fields Inc. – sportsfieldsinc.net
Sports Turf Specialties, Inc – sportsturfspecialties.com
Sportscapes Unlimited LLC – Sportscapesunlimited.com
Syngenta – greencastonline.com
Tartan Farms LLC – tartanfarmsri.com
The Charles C. Hart Seed Co. – hartsturfpro.com
Tom Irwin Advisors – tomirwin.com
Tuckahoe Turf – tuckahoeturf.com
Turf North America Farms LLC – tnafllc.com
Turf Products Corp – turfproductscorp.com
Turf Robotics – turfroboticsllc.com
Turface Athletics – turface.com
US Playground Surfacing –USPlaygroundSurfacing.com
Casey Beesaw City of Claremont Claremont, NH
Kevin Benner
Cassidy Landscaping Woburn, MA
Joseph Bertonazzi Town of Bellingham Bellingham, MA
Frank Celona Pine Banks Park Malden, MA
Allen Cox
Bonny Eagle (MSAD 6) Standish, ME
Charles Forsythe Sodco Inc. Slocum, RI
Welcome New Members!
( New members 9/12/24 – 1/31/25 )
Thomas Glaser
Gillette Stadium Foxboro, MA
Chris Gould
Brandeis University Waltham, MA
Sean Harrington Town of Bellingham- DPW Bellingham, MA
Tessa Hospod University of Connecticut Storrs, CT
Chris Hurley
Gillette Stadium Foxboro, MA
Andrew Keohan
Gillette Stadium Foxboro, MA
Drew Lorenzo Gillette Stadium Foxboro, MA
Michael Lueders, MCA, MCLP 30 West Street LLC Medfield, MA
William Martin Gillette Stadium Foxboro, MA
Brian Mulrenan Pine Banks Park Malden, MA
Tyler Pirnie
Gillette Stadium Foxboro, MA
Jonathan Pruell St. George’s School Middletown, RI
Joshua Smith Kent School Kent, CT
Tanner Stumpf Pine Banks Park Malden, MA
Cody Trichell College of the Holy Cross Worcester, MA
Joshua Walther Town of Norfolk Norfolk, MA
Alec Welch Welch Mechanical West Bridgewater, MA
Atlantic Golf and Turf 17 rick@atlanticgolfandturf.com
Beam Clay 16 www.beamclay.com
Greene County Fertilizer Co 16 www.greenecountyfert.com
Harrell’s LLC Inside Front Cover www.harrells.com
Kesmac 3 www.brouwerkesmac.com
Leading Edge Communications 31 www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com
New England Turf Management 33 www.newenglandturfmanagement.com
Phyllom BioProducts Inside Back Cover www.phyllombioproducts.com
Progressive Turf Equipment Inc. 10 www.progressiveturfequip.com
Quest Products Corp. Back Cover www.questproducts.us
Read Custom Soils ........................................ 19 www.readcustomsoils.com
Replay Maintenance USA ............................. 7 www.replaymaintenanceusa.com
Site One ............................................................. 27 www.siteone.com
Slater Farms, LLC ........................................... 11 www.slaternaturalfarms.com
Smith Seed Services ....................................... 9 www.smithseed.com
The Aquatrols Company 5 www.aquatrols.com
The Charles Hart Seed Company 21 www.hartseed.com
The Turf Zone 29 www.theturfzone.com Turf Robotics 13 www.turfroboticsllc.com Wood Bay Turf Technologies 9, 23 www.woodbayturftech.com
GOLF’S TRIPLE PLAY
Don’t miss this terrific opportunity to catch up with old friends, make new connections, and learn about exciting new opportunities for NE-SFMA and its members in 2025!
Join us as we recognize outstanding achievement in New England sports field management.
The Awards Meeting & Lunch is complimentary for current NE-SFMA members.
Space is limited and reservations are required. Please reserve your spot by February 20, 2025 at NE-SFMA.org
New! Synthetic Turf Seminar at NERTC
Tuesday, March 4, 2025 • 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
8-8:45 am
Communication: With Boards and the Public Concerning Synthetic Fields
Mr. Chris Huntress Huntress Associates, Andover, MA
8:45-9:30 am Field Testing Standards and Procedures
Mr. Jeff Gentile Firefly Sports Testing, Hooksett, NH
9:30-9:50 am Break and Networking
9:50-10:35 am
Synthetic Field Maintenance Throughout the Year
Ms. Abby McNeal, CSFM, Parks Supt., City of Louisville, CO
10:35-11 am Best Practices for Painting Synthetic Turf Fields
Mr. Brad Finn, CSFM, University of Houston, TX
11-11:15 am Networking and Q&A
11:15-12 pm
Synthetic Field Cleaning and Repairs
Mr. Arthur Eddy Replay Maintenance USA, Rumford, RI
12-1:15 pm Lunch & Networking
1:15-2:15 pm
Planning and Implementing Field Replacement
Ms. Meg Buczynski, Activitas, Inc. & Mr. David Pinsonneault, CSFM, City of Lexington, MA
2:15-3:15pm Next Generation of Synthetic Fields
Mr. Alastair Cox, Technical Director European Synthetic Turf Council (ESTC)
For more information about this new seminar, as well as the full New England Regional Turfgrass Conference, visit NERTF.org.
December Meeting a Success
Members enjoyed an exclusive tour of The TRACK at New Balance’s state-of-the-art facility in Boston, led by General Manager Jay Rourke, followed by NESFMA’s annual meeting and lunch at the Stockyard Restaurant. Our special guest New England’s TV sports personality, Tom Caron, gave an inspirational presentation on “The Golden Era of New England Sports: The Role Teamwork Played in Making it all Happen”. The gathering was topped off with a surprise visit from legendary hockey referee Paul Stewart!
New Leaders Elected
Congratulations to the 2025 board of directors and trustees who were recognized at NE-SFMA’s Annual Meeting on December 3, 2024.
PRESIDENT Art Goodhind Town of Natick, MA
PRESIDENT ELECT Ryan Bjorn Gillette Stadium Foxboro, MA
DIRECTORS
Tom Barry, CSFM Greens Farms Academy Greens Farms, CT
Bryan Conant Parks & Recreation Nashua, NH
Brendon Connor Holy Cross Worcester, MA
Adam Ferrucci
Read Custom Soil Wareham, MA
Victoria Wallace University of Connecticut Storrs, CT
TRUSTEES
Michael Lueders, MCA, MCLP 30 West Street, LLC Medfield, MA
TREASURER
Andrew Carlisle, CSM Worcester Technical H.S. Worcester, MA
PAST PRESIDENT Chris McGinty Parks Department Framingham, MA
Scott Lagana Turf Products Corp. Holden, MA
Christopher Lilly Blackstone Valley Regional Tech Voc H.S. Upton, MA
Michael Malvoso Park & Forestry Needham, MA
Scott Vose
Tom Irwin Advisors Tyngsborough, MA
Edward Olsen, MCA Parks & Forestry Needham, MA
Thanks Chris! Art Goodhind recognizes outgoing president Chris McGinty for his service to NE-SFMA
Welcome New Directors! Art Goodhind (2nd from left) with new board members Chris Lilly, Bryant Conant, and Michael Malvoso.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Michael Malvoso
Assistant SuperintendentParks and Forestry
Town of Needham, Massachusetts
How did you get your start in the sports field industry?
After multiple golf course internships throughout my college summers in PA/NJ/MA, I moved to MA in 2012 and started working at Old Sandwich Country Club in Plymouth, MA and then Pine Brook Country Club in Weston, MA.
Where did you go from there?
Golf wasn’t where my passion was, and I started working with Greenhaven Turf Care in 2015. I helped more than 100 clients
over my seven-year career. These clients varied from public and private school athletics, municipal athletics, college and university athletics and grounds, golf courses, private estates and professional sports including the Patriots, Revolution, WooSocks, and Spinners. In 2023 I made the career change to the Town of Needham, Massachusetts.
Who was your mentor when you were first starting out in the industry?
Brian Linehan, owner of Greenhaven Turf Care. Many of the assistants who hired me wound up getting superintendent jobs
elsewhere unfortunately. It wasn’t until Brian and I worked closely together with all the clients and sales reps that I really had a mentor to learn from and bounce ideas back and forth. I was able to see how many different fields were managed and the wide array of agronomic plans that were implemented. Brian’s extensive experience and network of people in the turf world really opened my eyes to learn turf management and business hands on.
What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received?
It’s only expensive if it doesn’t work.
What is the next “game-changer” you see on the horizon for the sports turf industry?
Robotic field painting and cloud connected irrigation systems. Laying out a field can be a one-person operation with pinpoint accuracy. Efficiency is highly increased, and the operator can simultaneously do other tasks that may not have been able to complete while stringing a field out. Cloud connected irrigation is the best way to water and protect our most valuable natural resource. Smart systems can self-shut down based on rain events or high winds and increase based off of ET rates making the water use better targeted
What’s your favorite/ most useful:
Equipment?
Toro Groundsmaster 4500 for premier town fields and Groundsmaster 5900 for townwide mowing without the need for trailering.
Product?
Infiltration and penetrative surfactants. These products reduce water usage, improve field safety and vigor and save games when infield clays were previously too soggy to play on.
Technology?
Cloud based irrigation monitoring software to water more efficiently.
What advice would you share with people starting out in sports field management today?
Find what environment you like to work in that matches your lifestyle and aspirations. There are so many different avenues a turf management career can take you.
Can you share a bit about what you enjoy doing in your free time?
In 2012, I moved away from my family in SE Pennsylvania where I was born and educated and now reside in SE Massachusetts. I enjoy spending time outdoors walking and biking in the woods, snowboarding, being on or by the water, landscaping my home, DIY projects and having my 10-year-old Golden Retriever, Dilly, with me whenever possible.
What have you enjoyed most / find most beneficial about being a NE-SFMA member?
The comradery with fellow sports field managers, as well as NE-SFMA educational field days have been the most beneficial to me as a member. •
SFMA BMPs
Cultural Practices for Athletic Fields: FERTILITY
Macronutrients
Gained from air / water
• Carbon (C)
• Hydrogen (H)
• Oxygen (O)
Gained mostly from the soil
• Nitrogen (N)
• Phosphorus (P)
• Potassium (K)
• Calcium (Ca)
• Magnesium (Mg)
• Sulfur (S)
Figure 1. The macronutrients essential for turfgrass growth and development.
Micronutrients
These elements are obtained primarily from the soil
• Iron (Fe)
• Manganese (Mn)
• Zinc (Zn)
• Copper (Cu)
• Molybdenum (Mo)
• Boron (B)
• Chlorine (Cl)
Figure 2. The micronutrients essential for turfgrass growth and development.
For soil testing services, contact your local Cooperative Extension office/ university soil testing lab or consult with your fertilizer suppliers/product vendors regarding licensed private labs that they can recommend. SFMA also has the bulletin Utilizing Soil Tests in Nutrient Management for Sports Fields available for reference:
https://www.sportsfieldmanagement.org/wp-content/uploads/ 2017/11/Soil-Test-Sport-Fields-2015-FINAL-reduced_0.pdf
Turfgrass fertilization is one of the most important cultural practices needed to maintain a healthy, dense stand of turf. The practice is especially important given the amount of traffic and intensity of use of many sports fields. However, as with any practice, there are limits to how much fertilization is required, and excessive fertilizer applications can be detrimental to the turf, to the environment and to your budget. The basic principles of fertilization are introduced here, and below you will find a wide range of publications, presentations, and podcasts regarding principles in sports field fertilization programming developed by SFMA.
Regular Soil Testing is Critical
Each nutrient required for plant growth and development is critical to establish and maintain healthy turfgrass. We divide the nutrients into two categories in terms of their use requirements: macronutrients (those required in relatively large amounts, listed in Figure 1) and micronutrients (those required in relatively small amounts, listed in Figure 2). While sports turf managers focus mostly on nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in developing a fertility program, each of these nutrients plays a critical role in the performance of your playing surface and if deficient (or excessive) in availability to the plant, can result in a failed turf. Given its importance as a nutrient and its variability in chemical form that can be found in a soil from one day to the next, N programs without soil testing are developed on the basis of the grass, its use and the season. However, the only way to really know how much of other nutrients should be applied almost always comes down to taking a soil test. The test results ensure that the nutrient is applied in levels to maintain the health of the plants and to also eliminate excessive or unnecessary applications of nutrients. Soil tests will also give you a pH measurement and unless pH’s are appropriate, nutrient levels in the soil are a moot point for the plant. Soil tests should be conducted on a routine basis – every one (for sand-based fields) to three (for native soil fields) years is recommended.
Fertilizer Programs – Cool-Season Turfgrass
With active growth occurring in the spring and fall, the best time to fertilize cool-season turfgrasses with nitrogen (N) is from March to June and September to December, with the specific dates obviously varying based on geographic location. A good rule of thumb regarding timing fertilizer applications is ‘if it needs mowing, then it is growing’. When grass is actively growing is the ideal time to optimize the turfgrass response to a fertilizer application, particularly of a nitrogen source. How much do you apply? The soil test results will tell you how much fertilizer to apply for nutrients other than N, and while many soil test reports will not contain soil N levels, they will provide a recommendation for how much N to apply and when to treat. As a rule of thumb, most state extension recommendations recommend readily available N (water soluble) should be in the range of 0.7 to 1 lb N per 1000 sq ft per active growing month.
March – May: One to two applications may be necessary in the spring. This application assists with greening up the turf but can be detrimental if there is a late frost.
June – August: Heavy fertilizer applications in the middle of summer should be avoided due to heat and drought stressing the plants. If fertilization is necessary to promote turf recovery on heavily trafficked fields, spoon feeding (periodic applications up to 0.25 lb N per 1000 sq ft) during the summer months will maintain turfgrass health.
September: The best time to fertilize is in the late summer/ early fall. As temperatures cool and day lengths shorten, coolseason grasses not only initiate a lot of new shoot growth, but also produce more roots, rhizomes and stolons, and stored food (carbohydrates). Fertilization promotes recovery from drought and heat related injury sustained during the summer months. Appropriate fall fertilization is likely more important for the spring performance of a cool-season field than spring fertilization!
October – December: Fertilization in the late fall is advantageous because most nutrients are used for root growth. There is not much vertical growth. Late fall fertilization can also be beneficial to early spring green up. One thing to consider that is very important from an environmental perspective: do NOT apply fertilizer to frozen soils. These nutrients will likely end up in a nearby water source by way of surface movement across frozen soils. •
Excerpted from SFMA’s Knowledge Center: Cultural Practices.
Editor’s Note: For additional information, NE-SFMA’s Best Management Practices Chapter 4 “Nutrient Management” is a good reference. Available to members free of charge at NE-SFMA.org
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Salt in the Soil UNDERSTANDING
By Arthur Siller, UMass Extension Soil Health Educator
What kind of salt is in the soil?
It can be a little confusing to understand exactly what is meant by salt in soil. There are a number of words that come up and that you might see on soil tests, Extension factsheets, and horticultural guides. This confusion stems from the fact that we use the same word – salt – to talk about both 1) any solid material that dissolves in water as positively and negatively charged bits and 2) one specific material – sodium chloride or rock/table salt. This makes it important to understand the terminology.
Salinity, or soluble salt content, refers broadly to the amount of any type of salt present in the soil. The salts could be dissolved in the soil water, attached to soil particles on cation exchange sites, or as crystals in particularly saline dirt. When the salts are split into their charged halves, the halves are often called ions.
Sodicity refers to the amount of sodium ions in the soil. This can occur independently of salinity, but it’s definitely possible for soil to have both high salinity and sodicity.
What does salt do in soil?
Salts affect both soil physical properties and soil water dynamics. A high concentration of salts in general can draw water out of plant tissues... killing them. This desiccation can also happen
directly on aboveground leaves and stems in direct contact with water-soluble fertilizer or fresh manure. Sodium in the soil also causes soil aggregates to fall apart more easily, leading to reduced water infiltration and percolation. Excess sodium in the absence of other salts also leads to high pH (>8.5).
How much salt is too much?
For salinity, it mostly depends on the variety of plant. Some plants are more tolerant of salinity. In many cases, water management can reduce salts but if there is a chronic salt problem, choose tolerant species and varieties. Because more salts in the soil water make it carry electricity more easily, salinity is measured in the laboratory and reported as electrical conductivity, with above 0.6 dS/m considered saline by the UMass Soil Testing Lab. Remember than many plants can tolerate mild to moderate salinity.
More than 15% sodicity is considered problematic. This is when more than 15% of the small, positively-charged molecules (cation salts) are sodium atoms. The amount of sodium that it takes to make dirt sodic depends on the overall amount of space in the soil for cations. This cation exchange capacity (CEC) is higher in fine-textured soil or in dirt with higher organic matter levels so these soils can contain more total sodium before becoming sodic.
How does dirt get salty?
Salinity in Massachusetts is uncommon in soil outside of protected environments (high tunnels, potted plants) because we get enough rain to keep excess salts from accumulating in the root zone. Temporary high salinity can also occur after manure and fertilizer application (especially in dry weather) or from ice melting salt (especially in spring).
Sodicity occurs from the use of rock salt (sodium chloride) on roads and sidewalks in the winter. It is primarily a problem if salted snow is collected near plants or if rock salt is accidentally spread on plants outside of pavement.
What can be done about salty soil?
As with many things, prevention is ideal. Be careful spreading rock salt, use composted manure when possible, and keep fertilizer from direct contact with plants in dry conditions.
In sodic dirt, gypsum should be added before flushing the soil because it helps to loosen the sodium that is attached to clay and organic matter.
You may notice that these methods require good water drainage. If drainage is poor, it is very difficult to remove either sodium or salts in general; extra attention should be paid to prevention and salt tolerant plants need to be used if salt accumulation is already a problem. •
Further Reading
The Impact of Salts on Plants and How to Reduce Plant Injury from Winter Salt Applications https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/impact-of-saltson-plants-how-to-reduce-plant-injury-from-winter-salt
Impact of Road Salt on Adjacent Vegetation https://plant-pest-advisory.rutgers.edu/ impact-of-road-salt-on-adjacent-vegetation/
UMass Hort Notes 2024 Vol. 35:9
Weed ID Apps: Q & A
Q: In recent years, I have seen many apps that can be used for identification of weeds. Do they work and how reliable are they?
A: This is a common topic of discussion among weed scientists as it is important that a correct identification is achieved before any weed management attempts are performed. Correct weed identification is the cornerstone of successful weed management. So much so that Lynn Sosnoskie, Assistant Professor of Weed Science from Cornell University, explored two of the more common smartphone apps used for weed identification (Pl@ntnet and iNaturalist) and presented a research poster at the 2020 Northeast Plant Pest and Soils Conference. Rather than share bits and pieces of Dr. Sosnoskie’s poster I feel it is more informative if I have the entire text of the poster. Below is the text of the poster discussion outlining the findings of her work.
Q: How well do smartphone plant ID apps work?
A: A weed scientist looks at the technology — the U.S. loves smartphones: the statistics portal Statista.com estimates 81% of all U.S. adults will own at least one device in 2019. Mobile applications (apps) account for over 90% of users’ smartphone internet time, with most of it focused on socializing, gaming and other forms of entertainment. Growers, crop consultants and members of allied industry have asked if there are any available smartphone apps that can scan/evaluate/assess pictures of weeds and return a proper identification to you? As it turns out, there are. One popular tool is the Pl@ntNet app, which allows users to upload one or more pictures of leaves, flowers, fruits or bark and then compares the photos to a database (there are multiple image galleries from which a user can screen against) using visual recognition software. The app then returns a list of possible matches (hits) and provides the user with links to the Wikipedia
entries for each of the species (in case more information is desired). Another app is iNaturalist. Like Pl@ntNet, the iNaturalist app compares a user’s picture against those in an image bank and provides users with a list of suggestions, links to information about the species and maps of occurrences worldwide. Both Pl@ntNet and iNaturalist allow you to share your images with their communities. databases, curation, citizen science, and more see: https://plantnet.org/en/ and https://www.inaturalist.org/
The objective of these preliminary studies was to evaluate the performance of the Pl@ntNet and iNaturalist smartphone apps for identifying weeds found in California and New York.
My thoughts. Do they work? It depends. It seems as though the age of the plant, the tissue selected for use in the identification process, and, likely, the genus and family (not testable due to small numbers of samples) of the specimen influence success. The quality of the images (particularly the amount of background that can be a distraction) is also another factor that affects the ability to achieve an ID. The taxonomic knowledge of the person making the submission may also impact app performance; a trained weed scientist may bias results, favorably, by purposely selecting and submitting images highlighting characteristic/ distinguishing traits. I recommend my clientele always double check identification against a trusted source (e.g. guidebooks, knowledgeable extension staff, curated/vetted web sites).
Study 1. Evaluate the
performance of Pl@ntNet for identifying weeds in California
• Pl@ntNet database selected: Plants of the United States
• 60 images of 46 species (39 broadleaf, 7 grass/grass like) in 21 plant families were submitted to the app
• Most represented families: Asteraceae (14), Poaceae (7), Malvaceae (6), Amaranthaceae (4)
• All images were of adult (non-seedling) plant specimens growing under natural/field conditions
• Image breakdown: 31 of leaves, 8 of leaves/flowers, 14 of flowers, 7 of flowers/fruit
• Specimen identity confirmed using ‘Weeds of California and Other Western States’ (ISBN 13: 978 1879906693)
• 72% of specimens were identified correctly by 1st (60%) and 2nd (12%) hits in Pl@ntNet
• 15% of specimens did not have a correct identification (no hits) recommended by Pl@ntNet
• 86% of floral images and 75% of leaf/flower images were identified correctly (1st hit) by Pl@ntNet
• 52% of leaf images and 43% of flower/fruit images were identified correctly (1st hit) by Pl@ntNet
Study
2. Compare Pl@ntNet to iNaturalist for identifying weeds in California and New York
• Pl@ntNet database selected: Plants of the World (to match iNaturalist’s worldwide database (not selectable))
• 60 images of 60 species (45 broadleaf, 15 grass/grass like) in 23 plant families were submitted to the apps
• Most represented families: Poaceae (13), Asteraceae (13), Amaranthaceae (5)
• Seedlings (12) and adult (48) plants were both represented in the images
• All specimens were growing under natural/field conditions
• Image breakdown: 27 of leaves, 5 of leaves/flowers, 24 of flowers, 4 of flowers/fruit
• Specimen identity confirmed using ‘Weeds of California and Other Western States’ (ISBN 13: 978 1879906693)
• For broadleaves, 78% of specimens were identified correctly by 1st hit in iNaturalist
• For broadleaves, 69% of specimens were identified correctly by 1st hit in Pl@ntNet
• For broadleaves, 71% of Naturalist’s and Pl@ntNet’s 1st hits matched each other
• iNaturalist and Pl@ntNet correctly identified adult broadleaves 85% and 73% of time, respectively, with the 1st hit (58% correct for seedlings)
• 89% of floral images (both apps) and 100% (iNaturalist) and 75% (Pl@ntNet) of flower/fruit images were identified correctly with 1st hit
• 67% (iNaturalist) and 63% (Pl@ntNet) of leaf images and 100% iNaturalist) and 60% (Pl@ntNet) of leaf/flower images were identified correctly with 1st hit
• All images of grass/grass like specimens were of flowers/flower spikes/flower clusters
• For grasses, 47% of specimens were identified correctly by 1st hit in iNaturalist, 33% of specimens were identified correctly by 1st hit in Pl@ntNet
• For grasses, 33% of Naturalist’s and Pl@ntNet’s 1st hits matched each other
Randy Prostak, UMass Extension Weed Specialist UMass Hort Notes 2024 Vol. 35:10
iNaturalist for iPad. Image credit: Apple App Store.
Pl@ntNet for iPad. Image credit: Apple App Store.
The Importance of Consistency in Sports Synthetic Turf Maintenance
By Arthur Eddy, ASLA, LEED AP
The world of sports has evolved significantly over the years, with synthetic turf becoming a prevalent choice for fields across the globe. Its durability, low maintenance needs, and ability to withstand varying weather conditions make it a favorite among sports facilities. However, the long-term performance of synthetic turf largely hinges on one critical factor: consistency in maintenance. For sports field managers, understanding and implementing a consistent maintenance routine is vital to ensure optimal playing conditions, enhance athlete safety, and extend the lifespan of the turf—because nobody wants their field looking like it just rolled out of bed after a long night of bingewatching sports highlights.
YOUR FIELD IS ONLY AS GOOD AS YOUR TURF. Keep your turf looking great and performing at its best with next-level solutions from SiteOne® With convenient locations, unrivaled product availability and direct delivery, we’ll help you keep your venue game-day ready all season long.
LET’S TALK TURF.
Craig Carley
CCarley@siteone.com
508.274.4034
Ray Kirby
RKirby@siteone.com
978.618.2070
The Benefits of Synthetic Turf
Before delving into the importance of maintenance consistency, it’s essential to acknowledge the benefits synthetic turf brings to sports fields. Unlike natural grass, synthetic turf can withstand heavy foot traffic, making it suitable for high-use facilities. It provides a uniform playing surface, reducing the risk of uneven ground that can lead to injuries. Additionally, synthetic turf is designed to drain quickly, reducing downtime after rain, and allowing for year-round play. However, these advantages come with the responsibility of regular and consistent maintenance— because just like your gym routine, if you don’t keep up with it, you’ll end up in trouble.
The Role of Consistent Maintenance
1. Maximizing Performance
Synthetic turf fields are engineered for high performance, but without consistent maintenance, their effectiveness can diminish over time. Regular grooming, including brushing and infill leveling, helps maintain the turf’s resilience and appearance. Think of it as giving your field a nice combover—keeping those fibers standing tall and proud. When maintenance routines are neglected, the playing surface can become compacted, leading to poor performance and increased risk of injury. Nobody wants to slide into home plate and find themselves face-first in a turf pancake!
2.
Enhancing Safety
Athlete safety is a top priority for sports field managers. Inconsistent maintenance can lead to hazardous conditions such as uneven surfaces, inadequate drainage, and accumulation of debris. For instance, debris can create trip hazards, while poor drainage can lead to slippery spots that increase the risk of falls. A consistent maintenance schedule addresses these issues proactively, ensuring that fields are safe for play. Regular inspections and maintenance also help identify potential problems before they escalate, protecting athletes and minimizing liability for sports facilities. After all, it’s better for players to be talking about their skills on the field, not their latest tumble!
3. Extending Lifespan
Synthetic turf is a significant investment for sports facilities, and its longevity directly correlates with the maintenance practices employed. Consistent maintenance, such as regular cleaning and infill replenishment, can significantly extend the lifespan of synthetic turf. Facilities that neglect maintenance may find themselves facing premature deterioration, leading to costly replacements. By adhering to a consistent maintenance schedule, sports field managers can maximize their investment and ensure that the turf remains in optimal condition for many years. Just think of it as keeping your turf on a healthy diet— no junk food allowed!
linkedin.com/company/theturfzone
x.com/theturfzone
4. Maintaining Aesthetic Appeal
The visual appeal of a sports field plays a crucial role in attracting teams, events, and spectators. A well-maintained synthetic turf field not only looks great but also reflects the professionalism and commitment of the facility. Consistency in maintenance helps preserve the vibrant color of the turf and prevents fading or discoloration due to dirt and debris accumulation. A visually appealing field enhances the overall experience for athletes and spectators, promoting the facility as a desirable venue for competitions and events. After all, nobody wants to play on a field that looks like it just survived a food fight!
Overlooking Synthetic Turf
One of the challenges with synthetic turf is that it can be surprisingly easy to overlook, particularly because of how it looks. From a distance, a well-maintained synthetic field may appear pristine, leading managers and athletes alike to underestimate its ongoing maintenance needs. However, being consistently present on the field allows managers to develop a deeper understanding of its condition and performance. This regular exposure enables them to identify subtle changes—such as wear patterns, areas that require additional attention, or even shifts in drainage patterns—that might not be immediately apparent. By digging deeper and addressing these issues proactively, sports field managers can ensure the turf maintains its performance and safety standards.
Key Maintenance Practices for Consistency
To achieve consistency in synthetic turf maintenance, sports field managers should implement a structured plan that includes several key practices:
1. Infill Maintenance
Infill material plays a vital role in the performance of synthetic turf. Regular checks and replenishment of infill are necessary to maintain the field’s cushioning and stability. Sports field managers should monitor infill levels and adjust as needed, ensuring that the turf remains safe and comfortable for athletes. Think of it as giving your turf a little extra support—like a good pair of sneakers that cradles your feet during that 5k!
2. Regular Grooming
Regular grooming is essential for maintaining the performance and appearance of synthetic turf. This includes brushing the fibers to keep them upright and redistributing the infill material. Establishing a routine grooming schedule—such as
bi-weekly or monthly—can help ensure the field remains in top condition. Think of it as giving your turf a spa day without the cucumber slices!
3. Thorough Cleaning
Debris, dirt, and organic matter can accumulate on synthetic turf, leading to reduced performance and safety hazards. A consistent cleaning routine, involving the use of specialized equipment, is crucial for removing foreign materials. Regular cleaning not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also helps prevent issues such as mold and algae growth.
4. Routine Inspections
Consistent inspections are critical for identifying potential issues before they become serious problems. Field managers should conduct regular assessments of the turf, looking for signs of wear, damage, or drainage issues. Documenting these inspections helps create a maintenance history, allowing managers to make informed decisions about future maintenance needs.
5. Documentation
Thorough documentation, which plays a crucial role in ensuring the longevity and optimal performance of the turf. This process involves systematically recording all maintenance activities, including routine inspections, cleaning schedules, repairs, and any treatments applied. By maintaining detailed logs, facility managers can track the condition of the turf over time, identify recurring issues, and ensure that all maintenance tasks are completed on schedule. Additionally, documentation aids in compliance with warranty requirements and can serve as a valuable reference for future maintenance decisions. Ultimately, effective documentation not only enhances the turf’s safety and aesthetic appeal but also contributes to costeffective management by preventing larger issues that may arise from neglect.
Conclusion
In conclusion, consistency in synthetic turf maintenance is paramount for optimizing performance, enhancing safety, extending lifespan, and maintaining visual appeal. As the demand for synthetic fields continues to grow, sports field managers must prioritize a structured maintenance regimen to ensure that their facilities remain top-notch. By committing to consistent maintenance practices, managers can provide athletes with safe, high-quality playing surfaces, ultimately fostering a positive experience for all involved. As we look to the future of sports fields, let us remember that a little consistency goes a long way.
Time Management Planning for Turfgrass Managers
Time management is a crucial skill for turfgrass managers, who often juggle multiple responsibilities throughout the day. From maintaining healthy playing surfaces and overseeing irrigation systems to managing staff and interacting with clients or superiors, the demands can quickly become overwhelming. Effective time management not only ensures tasks are completed efficiently but also helps prevent burnout and allows for a healthy balance between work and personal life.
The Importance of Time Management in Turfgrass Management
Turfgrass managers, whether they oversee golf courses, sports fields, or landscapes, must be able to make quick decisions while managing a variety of tasks. These responsibilities may include:
1. Field and Lawn Maintenance: Mowing, fertilizing, pest control, and irrigation systems all need to be carefully monitored and maintained.
2. Staff Management: Supervising employees, scheduling shifts, and ensuring they have the right resources to complete tasks.
3. Client and Stakeholder Communication: Turfgrass managers often need to maintain communication with clients, vendors, or management about performance, issues, or upcoming events.
4. Environmental Considerations: Turfgrass managers must stay informed about the latest trends and regulations regarding sustainable practices, pest management, and water conservation.
Given the wide range of tasks, balancing these responsibilities without sacrificing the quality of work requires intentional planning and preparation.
TEAM
• De-compaction of Infill
• Deep Grooming
• Rejuvenation
• Magnetic Sweep
• Vacuuming
• Surface Cleaning
• Rotary Brushing
• Add Infill
• Seam Repair
• G-Max Testing
Program
Strategies for Effective Time Management
Here are some proven strategies that turfgrass managers can use to better manage their time and workload:
1. Prioritize Tasks
One of the first steps in effective time management is learning to prioritize tasks. The Eisenhower Matrix is a great tool for this. It categorizes tasks into four quadrants based on urgency and importance:
• Urgent and important: Tasks that must be done immediately, such as handling irrigation system breakdowns or pest outbreaks.
• Important but not urgent: Tasks like preventive maintenance, staff training, or planning for seasonal changes.
• Urgent but not important: Tasks that can be delegated, such as responding to non-critical emails or phone calls.
• Not urgent and not important: Tasks that can be eliminated or postponed, such as routine administrative work that doesn’t require immediate attention.
By prioritizing tasks, turfgrass managers can ensure they focus on what’s most essential, delegating or postponing tasks that can wait.
2. Create a Daily Schedule
A structured schedule is an essential tool for managing time. Turfgrass managers may allocate specific time blocks for different tasks throughout the day. This can include dedicated periods for checking irrigation systems, overseeing team operations, handling administrative work, and taking breaks. By adhering to a schedule, it becomes easier to maintain control over the day’s events and prevent procrastination.
Tools such as planners, apps (e.g., Google Calendar, Trello), or task management software can help keep everything organized. It’s important to allow some flexibility in the schedule for unexpected issues like weather changes, equipment malfunctions, or urgent tasks.
3. Delegate Effectively
Delegation is vital in any management role, especially in turfgrass management, where tasks require a variety of specialized skills. Delegating tasks effectively not only ensures that jobs are completed on time but also empowers team members. For instance, staff could be assigned specific areas of turf maintenance, such as irrigation checks or pest management. By distributing work in this way, turfgrass managers can focus on the larger picture and avoid getting bogged down by minor tasks.
4. Avoid Multitasking
While multitasking may seem like a way to get more done, research shows it can lead to mistakes and inefficiency. Turfgrass managers should focus on one task at a time, completing it to the best of their ability before moving on to the next. This focus
increases productivity and helps reduce errors, especially when dealing with technical issues like irrigation malfunctions or pesticide applications.
5. Set Realistic Goals and Expectations
Setting both short- and long-term goals helps turfgrass managers stay on track and gives them a sense of accomplishment. These goals should be specific, measurable, and achievable within a given time frame. For example, a short-term goal might be to complete weekly turf inspections, while a long-term goal could be achieving a specific standard of field quality by the end of the season.
It’s also important to set realistic expectations. Turfgrass management involves variables such as weather conditions and unforeseen maintenance needs, so managers should allow room for flexibility in their goals.
Balancing Work and Personal Life
Turfgrass management can be demanding, particularly during peak seasons, when the workdays can extend into evenings or weekends. This makes it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance. However, it’s essential for turfgrass managers to take steps to avoid burnout and keep their personal lives intact.
1. Set Boundaries
Setting clear boundaries between work and personal time is crucial. For example, establishing set working hours and limiting work to those hours can help create a better work-life balance. Turfgrass managers should also communicate these boundaries to staff and supervisors to prevent work from spilling over into personal time.
2. Schedule Breaks and Downtime
Regular breaks throughout the day can improve productivity and reduce stress. Turfgrass managers should take time to rest, even during the busiest days. A 10-minute break can clear the mind and allow for better decision-making. Similarly, scheduling personal downtime—whether it’s spending time with family, exercising, or pursuing hobbies—helps recharge energy levels.
3. Leverage Technology to Streamline Tasks
Using technology to streamline routine tasks, such as monitoring irrigation systems remotely or automating equipment maintenance schedules, can free up valuable time. This automation allows turfgrass managers to focus on high-priority tasks while keeping a healthy balance between work and personal commitments.
Conclusion
Time management is a fundamental skill for turfgrass managers. By using strategies such as prioritizing tasks, delegating effectively, and setting clear goals, managers can increase their productivity and ensure quality turf management. At the same time, balancing work with personal life is essential for long-term success. Turfgrass managers who actively manage their time will not only thrive in their professional roles but also maintain their well-being outside of work. •
RELIANT ®
