Pictures from an athletic field contractor

[Complete Turf Care]

Is this your busy season? School is out, and before Summer Football practice begins?

Yes, we are busy now. I just added up and we have spread 25 loads of sand this month, which is about 700 tons. And I have another 18 loads on the schedule. Most of our work is on baseball fields, and since the high school season ended a few weeks ago, the coaches are ready to do some work on their fields. I prefer to work on baseball fields now, instead of them waiting until just before the season starts in early February to call me.

We can, and have, done work on football fields after the season ends in late November. But, winter work has potential for long weather delays.

Weather delays are usually short lived in summer, but I am shut down today, because the field I was headed to got 1.33" yesterday. My other crew is spreading sand today on another field that did not get much rain.

 

[Fixastuff]

Yes, we are busy now. I just added up and we have spread 25 loads of sand this month, which is about 700 tons. And I have another 18 loads on the schedule. Most of our work is on baseball fields, and since the high school season ended a few weeks ago, the coaches are ready to do some work on their fields. I prefer to work on baseball fields now, instead of them waiting until just before the season starts in early February to call me.

We can, and have, done work on football fields after the season ends in late November. But, winter work has potential for long weather delays.

Weather delays are usually short lived in summer, but I am shut down today, because the field I was headed to got 1.33" yesterday. My other crew is spreading sand today on another field that did not get much rain.

The hardest things about having an outside business is trying to decide whether to work or because of the weather.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

The hardest things about having an outside business is trying to decide whether to work or because of the weather.

Yep, my crew just called and said it's too wet to spread sand today. So that was a wasted trip. Luckily it's not that far.

 

[justtheengineer]

Beautiful work! I appreciate all that goes into building a great field. Also exciting to see you using your ABI Force. (full disclosure, I work at ABI) This is exactly the type of work we designed it for.

 

[EddieWalker]

I'm really surprised by how much sand you use. Does the sand wash out over the year and need replacing?

I've thought about adding sand to my lawn to smooth it out, but it's so far down on my list of things to do that it probably will never happen.

 

[LittleBill21]

what exactly does adding the sand do?

 

[Complete Turf Care]

I'm really surprised by how much sand you use. Does the sand wash out over the year and need replacing?

I've thought about adding sand to my lawn to smooth it out, but it's so far down on my list of things to do that it probably will never happen.

We try to add about 0.4” of sand which is about 4 loads on a football field and 5 on a baseball field. It does not wash out. Not every field gets sand every year.

what exactly does adding the sand do?

Most of the time we will aerate before topdressing. Our aeration makes a hole about 1” diameter and 6” deep and the holes are about 6” apart. This allows some of the sand to go into these holes.
Adding sand helps improve water percolation and helps reduce compaction, and helps manage thatch build up.
Generally, adding sand improves the soil profile which helps the grass grow better and makes a better playing surface.

 

[LittleBill21]

how do you determine how much sand is needed for an area?

 

[Complete Turf Care]

how do you determine how much sand is needed for an area?

It’s somewhat arbitrary. Over the years we have learned about how much works. More than 0.4” and the field starts to look like a beach. If the sand gets too thick and covers the grass, it will take longer for the grass to grow back over the sand.
We have done more, when the customer asks for it. If we do more, we ask them to let the grass grow taller before we put sand.

 

[Lastkidpicked]

Also exciting to see you using your ABI Force. (full disclosure, I work at ABI) This is exactly the type of work we designed it for.

I love these "It's a small world" posts.

Glad you could see your equipment in use!

And @Complete Turf Care I'm following you along with following @Hay Dude and @Lineman North Florida .

You are in very good company and thank you for posting.