ASTM F2060-00(2011)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Maintaining Cool Season Turfgrasses on Athletic Fields
Standard Guide for Maintaining Cool Season Turfgrasses on Athletic Fields
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
A dense, uniform stand of turfgrass on a playing surface improves the playing quality and safety of the field by providing firm footing for the athletes and by cushioning their impact from falls or tackles. These standards are the minimum inputs required to provide such a surface. Various published guides have been used in the development of this guide (1-5).
Field conditions may directly influence the frequency and type of athletic injuries occurring as a result of using the fields. While these standards do not guarantee that such injuries will be prevented, a well-maintained turf on a natural playing surface should minimize field-related injuries.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the minimum requirements for maintaining cool season turfgrasses used for natural surface athletic fields. Practices covered include mowing, fertilization, irrigation, core cultivation, overseeding, and pest management.
1.2 The decisions involved in maintaining a quality natural playing surface should consider soil types, local climate and other factors; therefore, it is recommended that you contact your local cooperative extension service for more specific information on soils, and grass species and cultivars adapted to your area.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation: F2060 − 00 (Reapproved 2011) An American National Standard
Standard Guide for
Maintaining Cool Season Turfgrasses on Athletic Fields
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2060; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope providing firm footing for the athletes and by cushioning their
impact from falls or tackles. These standards are the minimum
1.1 This guide covers the minimum requirements for main-
inputs required to provide such a surface. Various published
taining cool season turfgrasses used for natural surface athletic
guides have been used in the development of this guide (1-5).
fields. Practices covered include mowing, fertilization,
irrigation, core cultivation, overseeding, and pest management. 3.2 Field conditions may directly influence the frequency
and type of athletic injuries occurring as a result of using the
1.2 The decisions involved in maintaining a quality natural
fields.Whilethesestandardsdonotguaranteethatsuchinjuries
playing surface should consider soil types, local climate and
will be prevented, a well-maintained turf on a natural playing
other factors; therefore, it is recommended that you contact
surface should minimize field-related injuries.
your local cooperative extension service for more specific
information on soils, and grass species and cultivars adapted to
4. Apparatus
your area.
4.1 General—Experience and good judgment are important
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
to match the proper type of equipment to the nature of the task
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
to be performed.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.1.1 Mowing Equipment—Mower types include reel,
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
rotary, and flail; although, the latter type is not recommended
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
for fine playing surfaces. A reel mower should be used for
playing surfaces requiring mowing at less than 1.5 in. (3.8 cm).
2. Terminology
Mower blades should always be kept sharp and properly
2.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
adjusted in accordance to manufacturer’s recommendations.
2.1.1 athletic field, n—a field constructed and utilized for
Mowing equipment should be operated in a speed range
conduct of various organized sporting events.
consistent with the manufacturer’s recommendation.
2.1.2 cool season turfgrasses, n—grass species widely
4.1.2 Spreaders—Spreaders are necessary if dry fertilizer or
adapted to cool temperate climates. Some species persist and
pest control materials are to be applied. Spreader types may
are used in warm humid to warm subhumid climates; referred
include drop, rotary (centrifugal, spinner), or oscillating.
to as the transition zone. Cool season species commonly used
Spreaders should be calibrated to deliver the desired, labeled,
for natural playing surfaces include Kentucky bluegrass, pe-
or recommended rate of fertilizer or pest control product being
rennial ryegrass, tall fescue, fine leaf fescues, creeping
applied.
bentgrass, and colonial bentgrass. Creeping and colonial bent-
4.1.3 Sprayers—Sprayers are necessary if liquid fertilizers
grasses are normally used only on croquet and lawn bowling
or pest control materials are to be applied. Low pressure
courts.
systems are recommended. Sprayers should be calibrated to
2.1.3 thatch, n—an accumulation of undecomposed organic deliver the desired, labeled, or recommended rate of fertilizer
or pest control product being applied.
matter that can form at the soil surface in a turf.
4.1.4 Core Cultivators—Core cultivation (aerification, cor-
3. Significance and Use
ing) equipment relieves soil surface compaction. Core cultiva-
tors should be of the type that physically removes soil, such as
3.1 Adense, uniform stand of turfgrass on a playing surface
1 3
a hollow tine or spoon. Cultivators with ⁄2 to ⁄4 in. (13 to 19
improves the playing quality and safety of the field by
mm) tines on 4 to 6 in. (100 to 150 mm) spacings should be
usedonallplayingsurfaces.Spikers,slicers,orsimilartypesof
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Sports
equipment are not suitable for relieving surface compaction.
Equipment and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F08.64 on
Natural Playing Surfaces.
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2011.PublishedJuly2011.Originallyapproved
in 2000. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as F2060 – 00 (2005). DOI: The boldface numbers in parentheses refers to the list of references at the end
10.1520/F2060-00R11. of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F2060 − 00 (2011)
4.1.5 Seeders—Slit seeders should be used for any over- turf’s density, color, uniformity, recuperative ability, as well as
seeding or renovation operations. Slit seeders cut a groove into its ability to tolerate wear, biological and environmental
the soil and deposit the seed in the groove at a predetermined stresses.
depth.
6.2 Soil Testing—Soil testing should be performed on estab-
4.1.6 Irrigation System or Equipment—Ideally, some source
lished fields every three to four years. More frequent testing
of water should be available for irrigation. Systems can range
(every one or two years) may be required on sand based fields
from portable or permanently installed types.
or those having nutritional imbalances. Soil testing will iden-
4.1.7 Soil Sampling Tubes, used to sample soils for testing
tifynutrientdeficienciesthatmaybecorrectedbysupplemental
purposes.
fertilizer applications or by fertilizer selection. Soil testing will
also identify changes needed in soil reaction (pH).
5. Mowing
6.2.1 Sampling—A representative sample should be taken
5.1 Mowing (General)—The periodic removal of excess
from each field. Using a soil sampling tube, pull out about 50
shoot growth is necessary on natural surface playing fields.
random samples per acre of turf, and combine them to obtain
a representative sample. Samples should be taken from the soil
5.2 Mowing Height—The mowing height of a natural sur-
surface to a depth of 2 to 4 in. (51 to 102 mm), or a depth
face athletic field will vary with the sport, turfgrass species,
recommended by the testing laboratory.
and time of the year.Adjust mowing heights accordingly, using
6.2.2 Remove the thatch and any stones or debris.
Table 1.
6.2.3 Thoroughly mix the cores and pull a 1-pt (0.5-L)
5.3 Mowing Frequency—Fields should be mowed as often
sample from the composite to submit to the testing laboratory.
as necessary. No more than ⁄3 of the leaf surface should be cut
6.2.4 Provide as much information to the laboratory as
off at any one mowing. Under normal growing conditions, this
possible, including the use of the area, grass species, past
usually means every five to seven days for fields maintained at
fertilization history, irrigation or not, clipping removal or not,
1.5 in. (38 mm) or higher, two or three times a week for
age of the field, and other information the laboratory may
baseball infields and other closely mowed fields.
request.
5.4 Clipping Removal—Fields maintained at a mowing
6.2.5 Submit the samples to a state or commercial soil
height of 1 in. (25 mm) or higher do not require that the
testing laboratory. Maintain records of samples submitted, to
clippings be removed at mowing if mowed at the proper
include sampling date, soil testing laboratory, and results.
frequency. Only remove clippings if the grass is allowed to
6.3 Soil Reaction (pH)—Soil pH should be maintained in a
grow excessively high so that clippings would accumulate on
range of 6.0 to 7.0.
the playing field surface. Playing surfaces maintained at one
6.3.1 Lime should be applied as per soil test recommenda-
inch or shorter should have the clippings removed with each
tions to increase soil pH. Lime materials may include pulver-
mowing.
ized or granular limestone, pelletized limestone, and hydrated
5.5 Mowing Pattern—Mowing direction should be varied
lime. Use dolomitic liming materials if there is a need for
with each successive mowing. Striping of fields due to mowing
additional magnesium in the soil.Apply lime in spring, or fall,
direction can be accomplished with one or two mowings prior
or both, until the desired pH is attained.
to an event.
6.3.2 Apply no more than 100 lbs of agricultural lime/1000
ft (4900 kg/ha) per application on bluegrass, ryegrass, or tall
6. Fertilization
fescue fields.
6.1 Fertilization (General)—Fertilization is essential for
6.3.3 Elemental sulfur or ammonium based fertilizers can
maintaining dense, vigorously growing natural turfgrass fields.
beusedtodecreasesoilpH.Applyelementalsulfurataratenot
Fertilizer rate, timing, source, and ratio will influence a natural
to exceed 5 lbs/1000 ft (245 kg/ha) in the spring and fall until
the desired
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