Key Cultural Practices On Turf

Construction Spec.

Soil, drainage, turf species and variety, intended management level turf quality expectation

Cutting

Height of Cut, Turning Area, Return Clippings, Direction of Cut

Aeration

Relieves Compaction, Breaks Up Thatch, Increases Air and Water Infiltration

Top Dressing

Critical in maintain smooth playing surface and protecting plant crowns. Sand, Sand/soil, Compost

Soil Testing / Soil pH

Maintains Healthy Microbe Population, Nutrient Availability

Fertility

Essential in Healthy Turf, Proper Amounts and Timing, Heavy Wear Area’s Need More Fertility

Irrigation

time of Day ,Frequency, Amount and Spray Pattern

Seed Bank

Critical in High Wear Area’s Seed Species & Variety

Weed Control

Pre-Emerge (grassy weeds), Post Emerge (broadleaf weeds) , Healthy Turf Will have Fewer Weeds Field Rotation and or Orientation

Did You Know

Solu-Cal, a calcitic lime, is four times more effective than regular lime. If a superintendent is told to use a ton of lime per acre, he can do the same thing with 500 pounds of Solu-Cal. There are labor savings, storage savings, fewer empty bags to fool with, fewer refills.

Why Calcium?

The Forgotten Nutrient

Calcium in the Soil:

  • Primary nutrient in maintaining proper soil pH
  • Improves soil texture
  • Reduces soil compaction
  • Creates better environment for the proliferation of beneficial bacteria
  • Possible links to weed suppression

Calcium in the Plant:

  • Vital constituent of cell walls within the plant
  • Strong cell walls significantly reduce disease and insect pressures and outbreaks
  • Enhances cell tissue strength for greater resistance to heat and traffic stress
  • Increases the availability of N-P-K and other vital micro nutrients
  • Used more by weight and volume than any other nutrient

Why Sulfur?

  • Sulfur is needed by plants in relatively large amounts
  • Aids in the formulation of chlorophyll
  • Aids in the fixation of nitrogen by micro organisms
  • Sulfur is vital in plant metabolism