Section 35. Turf Cultural Management
[  ] NOT APPLICABLE (Check here if turf is not present at your school and proceed to Section 53. Vertebrate Pests.) 

Points
Available

Points
Earned

1. At least a rough map is prepared:

a) noting locations of turf areas;

b) dividing these into management units/grids; and

c) copies of map are updated annually noting soil tests, fertilizer applications and pest and other problems (e.g., erosion, compaction).

2. High profile/high traffic turf areas are scouted at least monthly during the growing season for divots, bare areas, insect, disease and weed pests and damage, etc. 

3. Bonus: Turf is scouted at least every other week during the growing season.

4. A serpentine or other regular pattern is used to ensure that all areas of the turf are covered. 

5. Problem turf areas identified in the IPM Plan are scouted more frequently during critical periods (i.e., around key pest emergence, egglaying, etc.).

6. Corrective actions are identified and a timeline is established for implementation. 

7. Scouting results, corrective actions and evaluation of results are noted legibly in writing and these records are maintained for at least three years.

8. Identifying soil compaction is part of regular monitoring and problem areas are corrected.

9. Mowing height is set as high as practical to maximize shading and prevent weed growth, and adjusted according to weather conditions, growth rate of the grass and the variety of turf. 

10. Any one mowing removes 1/3 or less of leaf tissue. 

11. Mower blades are kept sharp to ensure a clean cut.

12. Grass clippings are generally not removed. If wet and clumpy, grass clippings are re-mowed, or removed and composted.

13. After mowing, grass clippings are removed from paved areas (e.g., sidewalks, parking areas, road and driveways) and composted or otherwise properly disposed of to avoid movement into sewer systems.

14. Thatch accumulation is monitored and corrected if excessive (> 1.25").

15. Soil is tested at least every five years for phosphorus, potassium and pH. 

16. Fertilizers and other soil amendments are applied according to soil and/or plant foliage test results, not on a routine or regularly scheduled basis (except for nitrogen, which may be applied on a scheduled basis).

17. Fertilizers are applied several times (e.g., spring, summer, fall) rather than one single heavy application.

18. When fertilizers are applied, they are watered into the soil to reduce wind or rain-induced movement from the site.

19. When fertilizers are needed, at least 35% of the total annual nitrogen is in slow-release form to reduce pest flareups due to flushes of nitrogen.

20. Bonus: Fertilizers are selected to include those that may promote thatch decomposition (e.g., composted organic materials).

If turf moisture requirements are managed effectively without irrigation, score items 19-21 as N/A.

21. Irrigation is scheduled according to need and anticipated weather, and not on a routine or regularly scheduled basis. Athletic fields may be irrigated on a scheduled basis, adjusted for rainfall, to ensure adequate moisture for recovery and growth.

22. When irrigation is applied, it is sufficient to wet the entire turf root zone to reduce shallow rooting, but may be split to allow infiltration and avoid runoff. Exceptions are made for specific disease pressure (e.g., summer patch) dictating more frequent and less deep irrigations.

23. If moisture-dependent turf diseases are a problem (e.g., pythium, rhizoctonia blight, rusts), irrigation is scheduled to minimize the amount of time grass blades remain wet to reduce opportunities for disease development (i.e., turf is dry before nightfall)

24. Bare soil patches in turf areas are addressed promptly by correcting the underlying cause (e.g., excessive traffic, inappropriate seed mix, poor drainage) before reseeding.

25. When renovating, planting new turf or overseeding, seed mixes are selected to address site-specific growing conditions (e.g., cool vs. warm-season, endophyte enhancements, tolerance to key pests, tolerant to levels of shading and annual rainfall, etc.). Non-essential traffic on athletic fields (e.g., band, phys ed) is adjusted as needed to allow repair.

26. Soil compaction is minimized by:

a) rotating mowing patterns;

b) using flotation tires on equipment;

c) periodic topdressing and/or aeration; and/or

d) restricting foot and equipment traffic when soil is overly wet due to irrigation or heavy rain.

27. Core cultivation uses hollow tines at least 3" long and is scheduled when soil moisture is adequate to pull cores but dry enough to avoid ruts and compaction from equipment. Core cultivators are of the type that do not add to compaction. If turf aeration, infiltration and compaction are managed adequately without core aeration, score as N/A. 

28. Turf aeration is timed to avoid periods when heavy seeding weeds (e.g., crabgrass, dandelions) are germinating or setting seeds.

29. Topdressing material is free from glass, rocks or other debris and matches the soil type of the root zone as closely as possible. If topdressing is not used, score as N/A.

30. Bonus: If sand topdressing is used, particle size distribution is close to that specified for U.S. Golf Association putting greens.

Total Points Available for Turf Cultural Management
Total Points Not Applicable
Total Points Earned for Turf Cultural Management