While we can’t control the weather, managing your field during summer stress doesn’t have to be complicated. When I speak with field managers, I let them know that a foliar spray program can make a measurable difference in the health, resilience, and playability of their field, especially during the hottest and harshest months of the season.

There are three Foliar-Pak products I recommend to keep fields healthy throughout the summer: Foundation Forty, Amperage, and Gold Standard 45.

Why These Three?

Amino acids are the protein building blocks that help turf plants grow, prepare for biotic and abiotic stress, and recover. I like to compare it to feeding your body; if you want to build muscle, you need protein. Turfgrass is no different; Feed it right, and it’ll perform. Foundation Forty is an amino acid powerhouse.

Amperage supports microbial activity in the rootzone, and the more active and diverse your soil microbes are, the better your nutrient cycling, root development, and overall plant health will be.

Gold Standard 45 brings a high-quality phosphite to the mix and pairs well with fungicides. At 45% phosphite, it’s designed to support the plant’s immune system, which is essential during periods of disease pressure. It’s one of those products that’s a must-have during the summer months when disease stress is part of the daily challenge.

Here’s a bonus recommendation: If constant traffic and wear damage are a big concern—say you’ve got tournaments, concerts, or camps lined up—I also recommend CSi L. It improves cell wall strength and turgor, helping grass remain upright and endure heavier traffic and stress. That added rigidity goes a long way for playability and visual quality during peak season.

Timing, Tank Mixing, and Application Strategy

Every program is different, and your application timing will depend on what you and your crew can manage. Some facilities spray weekly, some every two weeks, and others only once a month due to staffing or scheduling constraints. My default recommendation is every two weeks, but the key is adjusting the rates to match your frequency:

  • Weekly — Cut rates in half
  • Bi-weekly — Standard rate
  • Monthly — Double the rate

All of the products I’ve mentioned tank mix well, and I always recommend pairing them with fungicides. It simplifies applications by putting everything down in a single pass.

What to Expect

When I design fertility programs for customers, I make it clear that they won’t see an incredible, instantaneous response with Foliar-Pak products. They are not a ‘microwave solution,’ so to speak; they are more of a crockpot approach.

Some products rely on fillers and/or short-term cosmetic effects to appeal to customers, but Foliar-Pak products are designed to enhance turf health for the long haul. You’ll see some response in the first few days, but the real magic happens as the program compounds over time. It’s like the snowball effect. Each application builds momentum, and eventually, your field will exhibit improved color and better stress tolerance. I always recommend starting applications a week or two ahead of anticipated stress to prime the pump and get the turf ready.

Small world, but before I joined ATS, I worked as a sports turf manager at the University of Kentucky, and we relied heavily on Foliar-Pak. Each spring, our bermudagrass greened up quicker and earlier. I trust the products, both as an end-user and a rep. We talked with the university’s head sports turf manager last year, and he’s also a fan of Foliar-Pak’s products.

Bottom Line

If you feed your turf right, you’ll see a positive difference. With the right amino acids and nutrients, your turf will take care of you and your players this summer. If you’d like to learn more about how Foliar-Pak products can benefit your field, reach out to your ATS rep.