April 2024 Sports Turf Checklist

Spring is in full swing, a lot of prep has already been done, and players are about to hit the fields—if they haven’t already. There are a few field-related things that should be taken care of this month, though. Read our checklist to see what items you can cross off and find out what you still need to do.

Soil Testing

Testing your athletic field’s soil will help you determine its nutrient and pH levels and show whether they are balanced or deficient. If there is a deficiency, a soil test like Foliar-Pak’s Soil Solver will tell you the levels of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium available so you can correct imbalances. In addition to the results, you’ll be provided with personalized application recommendations to help you combat immediate and long-term deficiencies. See our comprehensive blog for more information on soil testing best practices.

Aeration

Aeration helps alleviate soil compaction, assists in root development, and allows for better nutrient uptake. This will be especially important coming out of a dormant period, and heavy aeration is recommended at the start of the season. Aerate before fertilization and overseeding. Aerating throughout the season—as often as two-week intervals—will keep turf healthy and playable. An aerator with solid tines will eliminate the need for aeration plugs. Soil cores should range from up to an inch in diameter on the high end to around ¾-inch on the low end.

Pre-Emergent Applications

Depending on the type of turfgrass on the field and whether seed has just been put down, pre-emergent herbicides can prevent weeds from germinating and causing issues on your field. On established turf, a product containing dithiopyr (Dimension 2EW) will be a good option. These products often come as either standalone products or are included in fertilizers, like 31-0-8 with Dimension. For newly seeded or overseeded areas, a product containing mesotrione (such as Armortech Trione or 21-22-4 fertilizer) can be put down immediately.

Reseed Bare Patches

Heavy traffic will lead to bare patches of soil, and there are likely areas from last season that will need to be reseeded. Apply a high-quality grass seed to those areas. This can only be done if you do not pre-emerge or if you are using the mesotrione products.

Fertilize

After consulting your soil test recommendations, choose a fertilizer that contains the nutrients your soil is deficient in. A combination of both granular and liquid fertilizers will yield the best results. Consider any of the ATS granular products with Armament Technology and a liquid product like Grow-In, which helps turf establish quickly and contains the necessary foliar nutrients to promote growth and health.

Your ATS rep is here to help you this season and every season. Reach out to them and get the conversation started if you have questions and/or need advice.