To condition, or not to condition? That is the question for sports turf managers wrapping up their fall field renovations.

The Answer: It Depends

If you’re wondering if you should condition your infield for the winter, the answer depends on your expectations for play next spring.

If there will be a need to roll the infield and play early in the spring (think late February/early March), you should condition the infield with at least ¼-inch of topdressing.

If play will take place later in the spring (think late March/early April), you do not need to condition the infield before winter.

If You Condition

Applying conditioner will allow the infield to become workable more quickly in the spring, enabling you to roll earlier. This will, in turn, allow players to hit the field earlier.

I recommend using a calcined conditioner like ATS1000 or ATS2000, rather than an expanded shale product. A calcined conditioner will work for you on windy spring days to aid in removing excess moisture from the infield skin.

When To Roll

Not everyone does it, but I endorse rolling after you put down your conditioner in the late fall. This allows you to press the conditioner into the top layer of the infield skin, reducing the likelihood of it blowing off. It also buffers the surface with the perfect material to aid in wicking moisture out when snow and spring rains cause periods of excess moisture.

Infield soils must be rolled before play in the spring. No matter the quality of the material, all surfaces will frost heave over the winter. Also keep in mind that, over the winter, some conditioner will blow around the infield surface, potentially causing material buildup and the formation of infield lips. Rolling will fix these problems.

Think About Moisture

Proper moisture management will allow you to work the infield skin sooner in the spring, so consider using a soil surfactant. Many of my customers trust In-Flow, a blended chemistry that both pushes water in while maintaining volumetric water content (holding it) in the soil. This means you can achieve your desired balance between water retention and movement, leading to a better-performing infield over a longer period of time.

Connect with your ATS sales rep today to learn more about conditioning your infield and get personalized advice.