ASTM F2269-11(2018)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F2269 − 11 (Reapproved 2018) An American National Standard
Standard Guide for
Maintaining Warm Season Turfgrasses on Athletic Fields
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2269; 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 F2651 Terminology Relating to Soil and Turfgrass Charac-
teristics of Natural Playing Surfaces
1.1 This guide covers the minimum requirements for main-
taining warm-season turfgrasses used for natural surface ath-
3. Terminology
letic fields. Practices covered include mowing, fertilization,
3.1 Definitions:
irrigation, core cultivation, winter overseeding, pest
3.1.1 Except as noted, soil-related and turfgrass-related
management, and requirements for management of dormant
definitions are in accordance with Terminology F2651.
turf winter overseeded with cool-season turf (see also Guide
F2060).
4. Significance and Use
1.2 The decisions involved in maintaining a quality natural
4.1 Adense, uniform stand of turfgrass on a playing surface
playing surface should consider soil types, local climate and
improves the playing quality and safety of the field by
other factors. Therefore, it is recommended that you contact
providing firm footing for the athletes and by cushioning their
your local cooperative extension service for more specific
impact from falls, tackles or slides. These standards are the
information on soils, and grass species and cultivars adapted to
minimum inputs required to provide such a surface. Various
your area.
published guides have been used in the development of this
standard (1-8).
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard. The values in parentheses are for information only.
4.2 Field conditions may directly influence the frequency
1.4 This standard may involve hazardous materials, and type of athletic injuries occurring as a result of using the
operations, and equipment. This standard does not purport to
fields.Whilethesestandardsdonotguaranteethatsuchinjuries
address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its will be prevented, a well maintained turf on a natural playing
use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to
surface should minimize field-related injuries.
establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental prac-
5. Apparatus
tices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations
prior to use.
5.1 General—Experience and good judgment are important
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
to match the proper type of equipment to the nature of the task
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
to be performed.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
5.1.1 Mowing Equipment—Mower types include reel,
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
rotary, and flail; although the latter type is not recommended
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
for fine playing surfaces. A reel mower should be used for
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
playingsurfacesrequiringmowingatlessthan2.5cm(1.0in.).
Mower blades should always be kept sharp and properly
2. Referenced Documents
adjusted in accordance to manufacturer’s recommendations.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Mowing equipment should be operated in a speed range
F2060 Guide for Maintaining Cool Season Turfgrasses on
(ground and engine speed) consistent with the manufacturer’s
Athletic Fields
recommendation.
5.1.2 Spreaders—Spreaders are necessary if dry fertilizer or
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Sports pest control materials are to be applied. Spreader types may
Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of
include drop, rotary (centrifugal, spinner), or oscillating.
Subcommittee F08.64 on Natural Playing Surfaces.
Spreaders should be calibrated to deliver the desired, labeled,
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2018. Published November 2018. Originally
or recommended rate of fertilizer or pest control product being
approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as F2269 – 11. DOI:
10.1520/F2269-11R18.
applied.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of
the ASTM website. this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F2269 − 11 (2018)
not influence the game. A modest increase in mowing height adds
5.1.3 Sprayers—Sprayers are necessary if liquid fertilizers
photosynthetic leaf area to the turf canopy and may increase turf health
or pest control materials are to be applied. Low pressure
and assist recovery rates of worn fields.
systems are recommended. Sprayers should be calibrated to
6.3 Mowing Frequency—Fields should be mowed as often
deliver the desired, labeled, or recommended rate of fertilizer
as necessary. No more than ⁄3 of the leaf surface should be cut
or pest control product being applied.
off at any one mowing. Under normal growing conditions, this
5.1.4 Core Cultivators—Core cultivation (aerification, cor-
usually means every 5 to 7 days for fields maintained at 3.8 cm
ing) equipment relieves soil surface compaction. Core cultiva-
(1.5 in.) or higher, and two or three times a week for baseball
tors should be of the type that physically removes soil, such as
1 3 infields and other closely mowed fields.
a hollow tine or spoon. Cultivators with 1.3 to 1.9 cm ( ⁄2 to ⁄4
in.)tinesonspacingnotmorethan15cm(6in.)shouldbeused
6.4 Clipping Removal—Fields maintained at a mowing
on all playing surfaces. Spikers, slicers, or similar types of
height of 2.5 cm (1 in.) or higher do not require that the
equipment are not as effective for relieving surface compac-
clippings be removed at mowing if mowed at the proper
tion. In addition to soil compaction found immediately at
frequency interval. Only remove clippings if the grass is
surface, the mechanical aeration practices may be performed
allowed to grow excessively high so that clippings would
such that the aeration tines penetrate to a depth sufficient to
accumulate on the playing field surface. Playing surfaces
disrupt compacted layers. The effectiveness of such practices
maintained at one inch or shorter should have the clippings
will depend upon equipment capabilities and adjustment.
removed with each mowing.
5.1.5 Seeders—Broadcast or slit seeders should be used for
6.5 Mowing Pattern—Mowing direction should be varied
any overseeding or renovation operations. Slit seeders cut a
witheachsuccessivemowing.Stripingoffieldsduetomowing
groove into the soil and deposit the seed in the groove at a
direction can be accomplished with one or two mowings prior
predetermined depth. To achieve the same results, broadcast
to an event.
seederswillrequireahigherrateofseedapplicationduetoless
NOTE 2—Seashore paspalum is the only warm-season turf that will
effective seed-to-soil contact. Additionally, a broadcast seeded
produce a significant striping effect. Overseeded cool-season turfs may
field will generally require more irrigation to effectively also produce a striping effect.
germinate seed compared to slit seeded fields. Seeding of bare
7. Fertilization
soils can be accomplished by broadcast seeders, drop seeders,
or slit seeders but each method will require a mulch for
7.1 Fertilization (General)—Fertilization is essential for
effective germination. Hydroseeding methods can be used
maintaining dense, vigorously growing natural turfgrass fields.
effectively to apply seed and mulch in a hydroslurry to a bare
Fertilizer rate, timing, source, and ratio will influence a natural
soilsurfacebutisnoteffectiveasawinteroverseedingpractice
turf’s density, color, uniformity, and recuperative ability, as
on existing turf.
wellasitsabilitytotoleratewear,biologicalandenvironmental
5.1.6 Irrigation System or Equipment—Ideally some source
stresses.
of water should be available for irrigation. Systems can range
7.2 Soil Testing—Soil testing should be performed on estab-
from portable or permanently installed types.
lished fields every three to four years. More frequent testing
5.1.7 Soil Sampling Tube—Used to sample soils for testing
(once or more per year) may be required on sand-based fields
purposes.
or those having nutritional imbalances. Soil testing will iden-
tifynutrientdeficienciesthatmaybecorrectedbysupplemental
6. Mowing
fertilizer applications or by fertilizer selection. Soil testing will
6.1 Mowing (General)—The periodic removal of excess also identify changes needed in soil reaction (pH).
shoot growth is necessary on natural surface playing fields. 7.2.1 Sampling—A representative sample should be taken
from each field. Using a soil sampling tube, pull out about 50
6.2 Mowing Height—The mowing height of a natural sur-
random samples per acre of turf, and combine them to obtain
face athletic field will vary with the sport, turfgrass species,
a representative sample. Samples should be taken from the soil
andtimeoftheyear.Adjustmowingheightsaccordingly, using
surface to a depth of 51 to 102 mm (2 to 4 in.).
the chart below:
7.2.2 Remove the thatch and any stones or debris.
Sports Field Use Grass Species Mowing Height
7.2.3 Thoroughly mix the cores and pull a one pint 0.5 L(1
Baseball/Cricket Infields, hybrid bermudagrass, 6.4to19mm
pt) sample from the composite to submit to the testing lab.
Field Hockey Fields zoysiagrass, or (0.25 to 0.75 in.)
seashore paspalum
7.2.4 Provide as much information to the lab as possible,
including the use of the area, grass species, past fertilization
Baseball/Cricket/Softball hybrid bermudagrass, 19 to 38 mm
history, irrigation or not, clipping removal or not, age of the
Outfields; Soccer, Football, zoysiagrass, or (0.75 to 1.5 in.)
Lacrosse, Polo, and seashore paspalum;
field, and other information the lab may request.
Rugby Fields; Intramural
7.2.5 Submit the samples to a state or commercial soil
and Multiple-use Fields common bermudagrass, 38 to 64 mm
kikuyagrass; (1.5 to 2.5 in.) testing lab. Maintain records of samples submitted, to include
sampling date, soil testing lab, and results.
bahiagrass 64 to 102 mm
(2.5 to 4 in.)
7.3 Soil Reaction (pH)—Ideally, soil pH should be main-
tained in a range of 6.0 to 7.0, although acceptable turf can be
NOTE 1—Adjustments in mowing height should be made to accommo-
maintained outside this range with careful management of
date the sport using the field. Mowing heights should be increased by
25 % when the fields are not being used, or when the mowing height does plant nutrients.
F2269 − 11 (2018)
7.3.1 Lime should be applied as per soil test recommenda- then periodically fertilize to favor the cool-season grass
tions to increase soil pH. Lime materials may include pulver- growth. Bahiagrass should only be fertilized once or twice per
ized or granular limestone, pelletized limestone, and hydrated year (in the fall or spring and fall) with a 4-1-2 (N, P O ,K O)
2 5 2
lime. Use dolomitic liming materials if there is a need for ratio fertilizer at a rate of 50 kg actual N per hectare (about 1
additional magnesium in the soil. Apply lime in spring and/or lb of actual nitrogen per 1000 ft ) in the spring and the fall.
fall until the desired pH is attained. Light applications of nitrogen at 25 kg N per hectare (about ⁄2
7.3.2 Apply no more than 4900 kg per hectare of limestone lbofnitrogenper1000ft )maybeappliedtobahiagrassduring
(100 lb/1000 ft ) ap
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