S.A.F.E Sports Athletic Field Educational Program

1
S.A.F.E(Sports Athletic Field Educational
Program)

• Texas Agricultural
• Extension Service

2
SAFE Program

• Audit of athletic field
• Irrigation audit

3
Field Audit

• Hardness of soil
• Turfgrass density
• Crown
• Drainage
• Weeds
• Review cultural practices

4
Irrigation Audit

• Hardware problems
• Frequency of irrigation
• Minute per cycle

5
1998 Irrigation Audits

• Reduced water use from 25 - 50 for most athletic
  fields tested

6
Cultural Practices

• Fertilization
• Mowing
• Irrigation
• Aerification

7
Fertilization

• Multiply vs. single use
• Number games
• Overseeded
• Soil test results

8
Mowing

• Key cultural practice
• Height and frequency
• Reel vs. rotary

9
Irrigation

• Most fields overwatered
• Infrequent deep
• Irrigation audit

10
Aerification

• Soil compaction major problem
• Hard soils increase potential for injuries