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Field Schedules

Spring Sports Only - High Resource Management

Resource management levels: High | Medium | Minimal

Management schedules are approximate “ideal” timing for specific practices. These timings will be adjusted based on weather conditions, soil type, and field use.

Spring	Summer	Fall
Use	Recovery and rest

	03-March	04-April	05-May	06-June	07-July	08-Aug	09-Sept	10-Oct	11-Nov
0MOWING Keep mower blades sharp to reduce turf injury and fuel usage.	Establish mowing height appropriate for particular sport. Increase mowing frequency to increase turf density.	Establish mowing height appropriate for particular sport. Increase mowing frequency to increase turf density.	Establish mowing height appropriate for particular sport. Increase mowing frequency to increase turf density.	Mow at the highest recommended cutting height for the grass species growing that minimizes mowing.	Mow at the highest recommended cutting height for the grass species growing that minimizes mowing.	Mow at the highest recommended cutting height for the grass species growing that minimizes mowing.	Mow at the highest recommended cutting height for the grass species growing that minimizes mowing.	Mow at the highest recommended cutting height for the grass species growing that minimizes mowing.	Mow at the highest recommended cutting height for the grass species growing that minimizes mowing.
1WATERING Base irrigation on ET, soil moisture, overseeding and field use.		Monitor rooting depth and moisture level in the root zone. Allow some moisture stress to encourage deep rooting.	Monitor rooting depth and moisture level in the root zone. Allow some moisture stress to encourage deep rooting.	Monitor rooting depth and moisture level in the root zone. Allow some moisture stress to encourage deep rooting.	Apply at least ¼” to ½” every 4 weeks to avoid dormancy. Limit traffic.	Apply at least ¼” to ½” every 4 weeks to avoid dormancy. Limit traffic.	Maintain adequate soil moisture.	Maintain adequate soil moisture.
2FERTILIZING Amount of Nitrogen per 1,000 sq.ft. Use soil test results for P and K recommendations.	Follow NYS law and do not apply fertilizer before April 1. Check for more stringent regulations in your area.	After April 1, before the season starts and when turf greens up, apply ½# of a 50% water soluble nitrogen source.	Apply 1# of a 50% water soluble nitrogen nitrogen source or 100% organic nitrogen source in mid-late May.				Apply 1# of a 50% water soluble nitrogen source in early September.	Apply ½# of a 100% water soluble nitrogen source in mid-October.	Fertilizer applications may be restricted, check local fertilizer laws.
3CULTIVATING Avoid cultivating when turf is under stress or soil is too dry or too wet.	Use solid tine cultivation in multiple directions when fields are in use.	Use solid tine cultivation in multiple directions when fields are in use.	Use solid tine cultivation in multiple directions when fields are in use.	Use hollow tine cultivation in multiple directions to relieve compaction and aid in overseeding.	Use hollow tine cultivation in multiple directions to relieve compaction and aid in overseeding.	Use hollow tine cultivation in multiple directions to relieve compaction and aid in overseeding.	Use hollow tine cultivation in multiple directions to relieve compaction and aid in overseeding.	Use hollow tine cultivation in multiple directions to relieve compaction and aid in overseeding.	Use hollow tine cultivation in multiple directions to relieve compaction and aid in overseeding.
4OVERSEEDING Focus on high traffic areas.	Seed perennial rye at 2#/1,000 sq. ft. weekly in high- use areas.	Seed perennial rye at 2#/1,000 sq. ft. weekly in high- use areas.	Seed perennial rye at 2#/1,000 sq. ft. weekly in high- use areas.	Overseed if turf is thin at the end of the season.
5TOPDRESSING For leveling low spots, reducing thatch, improving seedbed.	Lightly roll high spots to level surface, improve footing and prevent mower scalping. Check field for low spots and fill in.			Check fields for low spots and fill in.