|
|
| |
Snow
is fun, why remove it! Seriously the best way to remove snow is
to let it melt naturally, you could provide a light dusting (no
more than one application of 46-0-0 urea at the rate of up to one
and one quarter pounds of actual nitrogen per thousand) of urea
but it is hardly cost effective. If the ground were frozen beneath
the snow you could set a plow with a rubber tip or as Steve LeGros
over at UNH has done mount a piece of PVC on the bottom of the
plow and push the snow off the field (ensure that plow is on float
and set approximately one inch above actual surface). Another way
of removing snow is a power broom mounted on the front of a tractor
- the same rules apply for tracking and Nylon bristles will cause
less damage to the turf. If the field is not frozen you run extreme
risk of rutting the field with tire tracks - that would be a costly
mistake and ruin the integrity of the surface not to mention the
subsurface compaction that it would cause.
How soon can you get
on the field? Hopefully
you have "wet rules" established
for your fields during
active play season when
periods rain occur. If
not they should read
as follows; Wet Rule,
no admittance to field
for a scheduled or unscheduled
event when field is too
wet to support play without
altering the integrity
of the field surface.
Field will be inspected
by the field manager
and coach, both will
make an informed decision
based on conditions including
event schedule pressure.
Only after they have
determined that the field
can be used without causing
damage to the surface
will a permit or permission
granted.
From a technical perspective
it must dry to the point
where you can walk on
the field without creating
any depressions in the
soil or causing a sponge
effect (that's where
water surfaces when pressure
is applied to the surface)
- I know that this may
take awhile in the spring
and when the weather
breaks everyone is eager
to get on the fields
but a couple of days
of patience will pay
big dividends in maintain
the integrity of your
field surface. In the
spring fields will dry
quicker as the days get
longer and the wind blows,
a little patience will
go a long way in preserving
the integrity of your
fields.
For a quick tour at UNH
drop an email to Steve
LeGros ( slegros@gcaservices.com
) grounds / athletic
field manager at UNH
and he can further discuss
with you some field management
techniques.
|
George G. Bernardon
Director of Grounds Management
GCA Services Group Inc |
|
| |
|
