Like coaches, sports field managers need a good game plan to be successful. What information are you using to prepare for your season?
When I was a sports field manager, I liked to see what I had “in the tank” in the spring and then what I had “in the tank” going into winter each year. This helped me see patterns and trends so I could make predictions.
I also wanted to see what happened in the soil from winter to spring. Did everything stay the same? Did nutrients leach out?
Test Your Soil
Soil testing is a good place to start as you prepare for the upcoming season. Testing your soil now in early winter gives you plenty of time to build out your fertility plan.
What Do Your Results Say?
Fertilizing on a trial-and-error basis will waste valuable time and money, but a soil test like Soil Solver will tell you exactly what nutrient deficiencies your turf is facing, as well as which nutrients are available in the soil.
Results are available fast, and you’ll have precise data that makes it easy to build an efficient fertility program. Your ATS rep can share more details about Soil Solver.
Testing Makes Fertilizer Applications Easier
Since you’ll know which nutrients to apply and how much fertilizer you’ll need, your turf will be safe from the issues caused by inadequate or excessive fertilization.
Too little fertilizer leads to poor plant growth, and too much fertilizer can reduce plant growth and quality. Excessive applications of fertilizer can also be harmful to the environment and make turfgrass more susceptible to disease.
Reach out to your ATS rep for more information on soil testing as you get ready for the new year.
