A while ago I posted about an opportunity to volunteer my time and efforts towards the local HS Varsity Baseball Field. Well everything has checked out, and this weekend I got the green light.
The field is approximately 6,000 SF of infield, plus another 5,000 SF of "curtains" which is the foul territory along the baselines.
Earlier this year I helped organize a fundraising event for the Baseball team, which brought in about $7,500 for the team. The coach is willing to allocate up to $1,000 towards the field. Basically any significant purchases, for example top dressing sand, they will cover. I'm happy to donate the more incidental items, including some chemicals, ferts, etc out of my own supply.
Last year they installed irrigation and re-leveled the infield, before throwing down what sounded like a Northern Seed Mix of some kind (kbg/prg/tttf). Anyways, a year later and the weeds have taken over. In addition, the grass looks stressed, the ground is hard and lumpy, and really never got much TLC.
My plan? Well it's almost October, so not much time left to do anything. Not to mention, Baseball season starts up in March so any thoughts of a reno, or any other destructive option is not feasible. Here is the approach I'm taking:
1.)Reel Mow - I have a spare McLane 20" Reel Mower I'm willing to leave at the field and use to mow. I mowed yesterday, took me 2 hours! I have been spoiled by my GM1000 at home, and forgot how SLOW this McLane mows...
2.)Weed Control - There is a salad bar of weeds. You name it, it's there. I turned to Tenacity at the 5 oz / Acre Rate. I chose tenacity as it will accommodate my over seeding, and it's pre and post emergent properties. Along with this blanked app, I added a few other items to the cocktail (FAS & Kelp)
3.)Verticut - Going to run my Slit Seeder through it to open up the ground.
4.)Over Seed - I have about 25# of PRG (Champion GQ) that I will spread in after Verticutting.
5.)Top Dress - Bringing in about 10 CY of sand. I'm fortunate they have a lawn tractor and drag mats, I haven't had that luxury at home.
6.)Fertilize - Want to hit it with some Nitrogen. Probably two apps before winter.
PHOTO NARRATIVE:
Just a relative sample of the current condition, and weed problems.
First reel mow - This was taken on my way back from dumping the clippings. I opted to catch yesterday, because of the amount of weeds I was mowing.
View from the Club House.
12 Gallons ready to spray over 11,000 SF - Tenacity, FAS, Kelp4Less Extreme Blend, Surfactant & Dye. When I built this sprayer, I never though I'd have to fill it past the 4 gallons to do my home lawn. Now filling to 12 gallons, I had some reason for concern on how it would handle, but to my surprise the Spyker setup handled the full 12 gallons awesome!
The field is approximately 6,000 SF of infield, plus another 5,000 SF of "curtains" which is the foul territory along the baselines.
Earlier this year I helped organize a fundraising event for the Baseball team, which brought in about $7,500 for the team. The coach is willing to allocate up to $1,000 towards the field. Basically any significant purchases, for example top dressing sand, they will cover. I'm happy to donate the more incidental items, including some chemicals, ferts, etc out of my own supply.
Last year they installed irrigation and re-leveled the infield, before throwing down what sounded like a Northern Seed Mix of some kind (kbg/prg/tttf). Anyways, a year later and the weeds have taken over. In addition, the grass looks stressed, the ground is hard and lumpy, and really never got much TLC.
My plan? Well it's almost October, so not much time left to do anything. Not to mention, Baseball season starts up in March so any thoughts of a reno, or any other destructive option is not feasible. Here is the approach I'm taking:
1.)Reel Mow - I have a spare McLane 20" Reel Mower I'm willing to leave at the field and use to mow. I mowed yesterday, took me 2 hours! I have been spoiled by my GM1000 at home, and forgot how SLOW this McLane mows...
2.)Weed Control - There is a salad bar of weeds. You name it, it's there. I turned to Tenacity at the 5 oz / Acre Rate. I chose tenacity as it will accommodate my over seeding, and it's pre and post emergent properties. Along with this blanked app, I added a few other items to the cocktail (FAS & Kelp)
3.)Verticut - Going to run my Slit Seeder through it to open up the ground.
4.)Over Seed - I have about 25# of PRG (Champion GQ) that I will spread in after Verticutting.
5.)Top Dress - Bringing in about 10 CY of sand. I'm fortunate they have a lawn tractor and drag mats, I haven't had that luxury at home.
6.)Fertilize - Want to hit it with some Nitrogen. Probably two apps before winter.
PHOTO NARRATIVE:
Just a relative sample of the current condition, and weed problems.
First reel mow - This was taken on my way back from dumping the clippings. I opted to catch yesterday, because of the amount of weeds I was mowing.
View from the Club House.
12 Gallons ready to spray over 11,000 SF - Tenacity, FAS, Kelp4Less Extreme Blend, Surfactant & Dye. When I built this sprayer, I never though I'd have to fill it past the 4 gallons to do my home lawn. Now filling to 12 gallons, I had some reason for concern on how it would handle, but to my surprise the Spyker setup handled the full 12 gallons awesome!