|
sidcred too soft and slow for proper
<br /> A technique which works to get infields just right with a minimum play, but one that rainfall or normal
<br /> wetting -down' for game preparation
<br /> of chemical use. would all too - quickly transform into a
<br /> crusty,rock -hard surfacethatwasequally
<br /> Inf m a i n t e n a n c e tips
<br /> unpleasant and unsuitable for play. The
<br /> obvious solution was to cultivate more
<br /> frequently but shallower.
<br /> We began by using an agricultural
<br /> disk instead of the rototiller. Cultivation
<br /> BY TIM RHAY, TURF &
<br /> GROUNDS SUPERVISOR time was greatly reduced, enabling us to
<br /> PARKS SERVICES DIV., move from field to field much faster.
<br /> EUGENE, OREGON Although now done more frequently
<br /> and throughout the season, the total staff
<br /> time devoted to cultivation did not sig-
<br /> In spring, one's fancy often turns to public sports facilities. So what's a re- nificantly increase. It was still a two -
<br /> ...softball! While it may not yet rival sponsible grounds manager to do. step operation (a second staffer still fol-
<br /> romance, recreational softball enjoys a The City of Eugene's Parks Services lowed the disk with the float to level the
<br /> wide and increasing popularity with Division has developed an infield main- fields) and required two tractors, a trailer
<br /> many sectorsofthepublic. In numerous tenance program that emphasizes non- and a flatbed truck in addition to the
<br /> communities, demand forplayable fields chemical techniques and has enabled us staff.
<br /> far outstrips supply. Gone, too, are the to provide more and better infields We were able to replace this program
<br /> days when any vacant lot would do. without substantially increasing costs. with a single staffer and tractor by mak-
<br /> Today's player wants a professional Too good to be true? Not at all. In fact, ing use of a rotary harrow. This tractor -
<br /> looking facility with an infield surface most agencies have, or can easily acquire, mounted implement, also borrowed from
<br /> that provides safe but solid footing and the means to duplicate our results. agriculture, features pairs of counter -
<br /> near -ideal playing conditions. rotating tines that cultivate horizontally
<br /> The responsibility of providing such Frequent, Shallow Cultivation rather than digging vertically like a
<br /> fields frequently falls to school district The foundational element in our pro- rototiller. A trailing roller keeps the
<br /> and public park agency grounds manag- gram is the concept of frequent, shallow tines from penetrating too deeply and
<br /> ers and their staffs. As public resources cultivation. Both frequency and depth allows very shallow cultivation — at a
<br /> typically are limited and subject to are important. Like many, we used to depth of two inches and less. The roller
<br /> multiple demands, proper field mainte- use a tractor- mounted rototiller to culti- also levels the cultivated soil. The float
<br /> nancebecomesachallengetomany,and vate our infields. Because of time and is no longer necessary.
<br /> a sizable headache to some. Often, a weather constraints, this was done only Cultivation can now begin in the very
<br /> significant herbicide spray program has once each season. Tilling worked up the early spring, as soon as the upper surface
<br /> been the way this challenge was met. soil to a considerable depth. A bulky of the infields is dry, and can be done as
<br /> But the public is increasingly uncom- float was transported from field to field required throughout the season by one
<br /> fortable with routine, comprehensive after tilling and used to level the surface. or two staffers (we purchased a second
<br /> herbicide applications to school and The result was an infield that most con- rotary harrow this year), typically in one
<br /> working day or less. Tilt -down brush , ..:- ,. y ,,_ attachments enable us to achieve a fin -
<br /> t' ished surface on the final pass, suitable
<br /> , � . for practice or informal games.
<br /> \ r r `i F . '
<br /> { . r Soil Amendments
<br /> hvI `: � ` r Q " ....,4.4%,.,.. � � " Another clement of our infield man-
<br /> � ." s auemcnt strategy is the incorporation 01
<br /> ✓,.. , r' q � �_ ` c �+.,,.h , ,f, organic amendments Into the l nfl l(l .ilil
<br /> i Our native soils are high in clay cono:'nt
<br /> �'� .. -. and tend to puddle and cnn.l (vi r ■■ lieu
<br /> �
<br /> —.'".'40• -. . -,,,..A..= ..• ?. v''atereddown lorplay- lncorpor,,In,noo1
<br /> y
<br /> ,.. 4 - '� , , . * s �.,' ... twenty t(1 thirty yards of s:iwdllil l'.'r
<br /> SI, : r . .4 M ter; w7.� n+'`N
<br /> �' ,,,. .� ��. . 4'� x � , ,.,; • licld �,re.ltly reduced this problem h∎
<br /> �' �' ; A t ,,e �,,,, `+ � r � �.,, ,^,l �;,, 0;��*� enabling the �s(�il 10 ca(�lurc and ilitilr ih
<br /> ^+ .. a '' £ +,� - c • ' "r t i < ` - � "' t llte llle. moisture mote e11 Ic1Cml \'. S 1`•,
<br /> w -- ":':" -. �, ek dust amenlI 1 1 gelds arc al' o much IL»
<br /> . . _ .... tray:.. c +r: '. $y i'•
<br /> - — - a , , 0 Y . 4.. ,- y + ... su 10 conlpact1(nl
<br /> 4 . - r,. •�•7 7/.47.'44"::.---$.1:v." w ;...... .f Sawdust is readily available In Eu-
<br /> - - ;�_� ali '"+,. .� gene, but other 111atertals will work as
<br /> .1r.- THE ROTARY harrow in use on an
<br /> • -!; ' r � uncultivated infield. Note the thorough
<br /> 1 �" `y
<br /> �� � _, - - _. ., �: y Sti.s"� cultivation on the initial pass
<br /> 20 PARK/GROUNDS MANAGEMENT 4/91
<br />
|