Athletic Field Fall Seeding Schedule
As we prepare for another fall sports season full of practices and games, now is the time to plan your fall seeding projects. The following schedule will provide you with a framework for the proper timeline to complete fall seeding on the fields you manage. We’ll also discuss some products to help your seeding projects succeed.
Mid-July
Summer is a good time to walk all of your fields and assess their quality. Specifically, note the turf density and how it will (or won’t) support player safety. If the turf density and quality are less than 75% coverage, plan a seeding project to start in mid-August.
The recommended rate of cool-season fields using the Advanced TTTF Plus blend (with 90% turf-type tall fescue and 10% Kentucky bluegrass) is an interseeding rate of seven to 10 pounds of pure live seed per thousand square feet. Use a drill seeder to place the seed at the proper seed-to-soil contact rate for the highest percent return on investment.
If the field requires just a fescue blend, use the Advanced TTTF Blend Coated With Foliar-Pak XCD. Use the same rate of five to seven pounds per thousand square feet, and use a drill seeder to reach the proper depth. These practices will help set the seed up for healthy germination and establishment.
Your local Advanced Turf Solutions rep can help you secure the seed you need in time for your fall projects.
Start the turf quality improvement program around August 10 and at least two weeks before the first fall event. All of these processes can be done while fall events are occurring. Keep adequate moisture on the field for proper germination of the seed, but be sure it’s not so wet that it would be unsafe to practice or play games on the fields. Watering during the daylight hours will be best for seed germination.
September and October
During heavy fall field usage through the fall football or soccer season, broadcast one bag of your desired seed blend weekly in high-traffic areas like goal mouths or the center of the football field to keep up with lost density from wear. The players will press the seed into the profile with their cleats.
November and December
After the season has ended, most turf quality and density are lost to heavy play in concentrated areas since coaches do not move practices around on fields.
Late Fall
Schedule and complete your late-fall field renovations before the ground freezes. Topdress unsafe areas in fields with root zone mixture and heavily seed at sevent to 10 pounds of pure live seed (PLS) per thousand square feet. Use a drill seeder for proper seed-to-soil contact and germination. Water heavily and then winterize the system.
With the unpredictability of the weather and even team schedules, you can’t control every aspect of your fall seeding projects. But having a baseline schedule is a good place to start. Your ATS rep can help you adapt this framework to your specific facility and find the appropriate products for the job.
Bill Norris
Sales Representative
