Seed (2-4 Lbs./1000 sq. ft.) or sprig (10 Bu./1000 sq. ft.)
bermudagrass in the spring of each year in high traffic
areas

Mowing
Frequent and at proper height
Spring 1 1/2 inches
Summer 2 inches
Fall 2 1/2 inches

Three to five times per year (4-6 Lbs. N/1000 sq. ft./
year)
Soluble nitrogen sources
Do not apply more than 1.5 lbs N/1000 sq. ft. from a
soluble nitrogen source in a single application.
Complete (N-P-K) fertilizer in spring and fall
Fertilizer applied in July need only contain nitrogen

• Programmed to correspond with fertilization
• Avoid wilting during dry periods (July through August)

Dethatching

• Vertical mow areas where thatch has built up once in the
spring

• Three to five times during early spring before a pre-
emergent herbicide is applied

Weed Control

• Postdemergent herbicides to control broadleaf (2,4-D, MCPP, 2-4-DP) and grassy (MSMA, DSMA) weeds.
• Pre-emergent herbicide applied in spring to control annual
grassy weeds (Many are available, contact your county agent for details)
• Do not apply predemergent herbicides in areas that are going to be renovated

Winter Overseeding

• Seed football fields with annual or perennial ryegrass
(10.15 Lbs./1000 sq. ft.) in September

Dethatching

• Vertical mow once in the spring those areas where thatch has built up
• Program to correspond with predemergent herbicide applications

Renovation

• Sod or sprig (10 Bu./1000 sq. ft.) bermudagrass in the spring of each year in high traffic areas

Aerification

• Six to eight times per year
• Two to three times before a predemergent herbicide is applied
• Two to three times in early summer
• Two to three times at the end of football season

Mowing

• Frequent and at proper height with a reel mower only
• Spring 3/4 inches
• Summer I inches

• Five times (7 times if winter overseeding) per year (6-8 Lbs. N/1000 sq. ft./year)
• Fast and slow release nitrogen sources
• Complete (N-P-K) in spring and fall
• Fertilizer applied in June and August need only contain nitrogen

• Twice during football season
• Once or twice at end of football season

Watering

• Program to correspond with fertilization, aerification, and herbicide treatments
• Maintain good color and vigor
• Never allow the field to wilt

Dethatching

• Vertical mow once in the spring those areas where thatch has built up
• Programmed to correspond with pre-emergent herbicide applications

Aerification

• Eight to twelve times per year starting in March
• Two to four times in spring and early summer before a
predemergent herbicide is applied

Top Dressing

• Two times per year with a sandy loam soil
• Program to correspond with renovation and over-
seeding

Weed Control

• Predemergent herbicides applied in fall and spring half‑rate application in late spring or early summer
• Post-emergent herbicides applied in late winter to control annual broadleaf and grassy weeds (a non‑selective herbicide such as Roundup can be used during January through February 15)
• Post-emergent herbicide applied in summer to control annual broadleaf and grassy weeds
• Do not apply predemergent herbicides in areas that are going to be renovated

Insect Control

• Insect problems such as white grub, sod webworm, and
cutworms can be controlled during the Spring and Fall of the year

Disease Control

• During the warm, humid spring and fall of the year control of plant diseases may be required. Damping off diseases can be a problem when overseeding with perennial ryegrass

A good breakdown of the athletic field areas combined with a maintenance calendar based on sound turfgrass recommendations can be used to develop a budget for the required labor and materials. Once this information is pulled together into a budgeted maintenance program, then the turfgrass manager has a good guideline on which to conduct the maintenance program. It is not always possible to take into consideration every consequence when preparing a budget for turfgrass maintenance (i.e., weather, equipment breakdowns, unexpected pest problems, etc.), but with a good guideline, and subsequent record keeping on actual labor and material costs, the turfgrass manager will become more efficient at adequately budgeting and solving
turfgrass problems.

The budget can be prepared using several different methods. However, when the fields are broken down into units of 1000 square feet, estimates for maintenance costs can be adjusted more easily. For example, the entire field may not need to be sodded, but it will need fertilizer. Fill in the frequency per field, the number of fields, the units per field, the amount of material or labor needed per unit, and the cost per amount needed (Table 1). The product of these five numbers will be the estimated expense for each item. Subtotal each maintenance practice, (i.e., Renovation, Mowing, Fertilization, etc.) and the total of all maintenance practices.

If the estimated budget is too large, then before eliminating an entire maintenance practice, try reducing the number of units per field or the frequency per field. Remember, the central playing field is around 10 units and will need more care and attention. Concentrateyour resources on these 10 units and work outwards towards the sidelines and endzones.

Soil Fertility
Initial phosphorus level in the soil should be “High”. If not, bring it up to high as shown below.

*Ten pounds of 0‑20‑0 will equal 2 pounds of P205
*Ten pounds ofO‑45‑0 will equal 4.5 pounds of P205.
*One pound of P205 is equal to .44 pounds of (P) phosphorus.
Initial potassium level in the soil should be “High If not, bring it up to high as in following table.

The recommended pH for bermudagrass is between 6 and 7. If the soil is acid, lime may be applied to bring the pH to this level. Finely ground limestone acts faster than coarsely ground material. For turf use, at least onehalf should pass a 100 mesh screen and all should pass a 10 mesh screen.

The most convenient times to make lime applications are in the late fall, winter and early spring. Raw ground limestone can be applied at any time, but the summertime rate for hydrated lime should be under 1,000 pounds per acre, or 20 to 25 pounds per 1,000 square feet. Lime should not be applied immediately before or after fertilizer containing ammonia.
The lime, phosphorus and potassium can be incorporated into the soil to a depth of 4 to 6 inches at the time of establishment in order to achieve more immediate results.
Field Drainage
The field design should provide for an 18‑inch crown (1.87 percent slope), turtle‑backed from center of field to sidelines, without pockets. In areas with sandy pervious soils, the slope may be reduced to one percent. The parallel sidelines should be level.
Place tile systems along the sidelines with catch basins to remove water more rapidly than it will be absorbed through the soil. Except for cases of seepage or high water tables, tiling the entire playing area may do little good because surface compaction impedes water movement to the tile except in the strips immediately over the tile lines.