Pictures from an athletic field contractor

[Complete Turf Care]

How long does the grass have until the school starts using it?

Usually about 90 days after planting.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

There's a lot going on in this pic, but we getting started with planting.

 

[sixdogs]

There's a lot going on in this pic, but we getting started with planting.
View attachment 3516290

How many workers does the planting take?

 

[Complete Turf Care]

How many workers does the planting take?

Basically 3 men. One on the skid steer loading the sod into the sprigging machine, one on the tractor and one on the sprigging machine removing the netting. I'm on site also to roll the field after planting and to apply herbicide and get the irrigation going. Also in that picture you see the truck driver unloading the sod with a forklift.

 

[sixdogs]

Basically 3 men. One on the skid steer loading the sod into the sprigging machine, one on the tractor and one on the sprigging machine removing the netting. I'm on site also to roll the field after planting and to apply herbicide and get the irrigation going. Also in that picture you see the truck driver unloading the sod with a forklift.

Very nice workmanship.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Planted, rolled, sprayed, and now watering it.

 

[EddieWalker]

Does somebody follow the grass being unrolled and cut out little holes for the sprinklers? For some reason, that seems kind of funny to me.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Does somebody follow the grass being unrolled and cut out little holes for the sprinklers? For some reason, that seems kind of funny to me.

There is no need to cut holes for the sprinklers in this case, because the sod is being shredded as it goes through the sprigging machine.

When we are laying solid sod and not sprigging it, yes, we cut holes for the sprinklers to pop up.

In this case, we used 43 rolls of sod to sprig this field. Last time we installed solid sod, we used about 400 rolls of sod.

The difference is about $50,000, but the solid sod field would be ready for use in about 15-30 days, whereas the sprigging takes about 70-90 days.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

There is no need to cut holes for the sprinklers in this case, because the sod is being shredded as it goes through the sprigging machine.

When we are laying solid sod and not sprigging it, yes, we cut holes for the sprinklers to pop up.

In this case, we used 43 rolls of sod to sprig this field. Last time we installed solid sod, we used about 400 rolls of sod.

The difference is about $50,000, but the solid sod field would be ready for use in about 15-30 days, whereas the sprigging takes about 70-90 days.

It's always good to be able to give the customer options.

 

[EddieWalker]

I didn't realize the rolls are being sprigged. I've only seen it done a few times, and it was with square bales that were shredded up and spread out over a disked pasture. This looks a lot cleaner and more organized.

 

[leonz]

Do you use a finish flail mower with dethatching knives?

 

[sixdogs]

There's a lot going on in this pic, but we getting started with planting.
View attachment 3516290

Sprigging is a new word and method to me. It looks like you are laying sod.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Do you use a finish flail mower with dethatching knives?

I have a Thatchmaster Verticutter that I use on some fields.

 

[WinterDeere]

Maybe a bit of an aside, but got any recommendation on a walk-behind slit seeder, @Complete Turf Care ? I'd been thinking about getting one of the 3-point, but after seeing prices mostly near or above $10k, I decided I don't love my lawn quite that much. I had imagined spending closer to $3k.

 

[jenkinsph]

There is no need to cut holes for the sprinklers in this case, because the sod is being shredded as it goes through the sprigging machine.

When we are laying solid sod and not sprigging it, yes, we cut holes for the sprinklers to pop up.

In this case, we used 43 rolls of sod to sprig this field. Last time we installed solid sod, we used about 400 rolls of sod.

The difference is about $50,000, but the solid sod field would be ready for use in about 15-30 days, whereas the sprigging takes about 70-90 days.

I go over the savings with my customers often. Seems a lot of people want an instant lawn or field. Where it is left to me I much prefer seeding grass areas and planting very small trees. I think it increases the chance for more uniform root structures leading to less weeds too.

Athletic fields are expensive real estate with someone always making plans to rough up your hard work. I am glad to stop in on your thread and see you still working your plan and business. Your expertise and commitment are obviously on the rise and I hope you can keep at it for many more years.

I am still laser leveling fields and enjoying retirement.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Sometimes we make the decision to work, or not to work, on a holiday based on the weather forecast. Today, I applied fertilizer and herbicide on a baseball field.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Maybe a bit of an aside, but got any recommendation on a walk-behind slit seeder, @Complete Turf Care ? I'd been thinking about getting one of the 3-point, but after seeing prices mostly near or above $10k, I decided I don't love my lawn quite that much. I had imagined spending closer to $3k.

Sorry, but I don't know of any walk behind models. That's not something that I would use.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

This morning we did a lip removal at a baseball field.

Then after lunch I verticut a football field.

 

[leonz]

I hate lawn thatch, have you considered using a flail mower equipped
thatching knives with a pick up basket that uses a hydraulic basket lift
to dump it to do this job in one pass?

 

[Complete Turf Care]

I went check on the field we sprigged almost 2 weeks ago. I'm pleased with the progress. I'll give it about 2 more weeks to get more roots down, then I'll start pushing it hard with fertilizer.