ASTM F2060-00

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An American National Standard
Designation:F2060–00
Standard Guide for
Maintaining Cool Season Turfgrasses on Athletic Fields
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 2060; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope impact from falls or tackles. These standards are the minimum
inputs required to provide such a surface. Various published
1.1 This guide covers the minimum requirements for main-
guides have been used in the development of this guide (1-5).
taining cool season turfgrasses used for natural surface athletic
3.2 Field conditions may directly influence the frequency
fields. Practices covered include mowing, fertilization, irriga-
and type of athletic injuries occurring as a result of using the
tion, core cultivation, overseeding, and pest management.
fields.Whilethesestandardsdonotguaranteethatsuchinjuries
1.2 The decisions involved in maintaining a quality natural
will be prevented, a well-maintained turf on a natural playing
playing surface should consider soil types, local climate and
surface should minimize field-related injuries.
other factors; therefore, it is recommended that you contact
your local cooperative extension service for more specific
4. Apparatus
information on soils, and grass species and cultivars adapted to
4.1 General—Experience and good judgment are important
your area.
to match the proper type of equipment to the nature of the task
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
to be performed.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.1.1 Mowing Equipment—Mower types include reel, ro-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
tary, and flail; although, the latter type is not recommended for
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
fine playing surfaces.Areel mower should be used for playing
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
surfaces requiring mowing at less than 1.5 in. (3.8 cm). Mower
2. Terminology blades should always be kept sharp and properly adjusted in
accordance to manufacturer’s recommendations. Mowing
2.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
equipment should be operated in a speed range consistent with
2.1.1 athletic field, n—a field constructed and utilized for
the manufacturer’s recommendation.
conduct of various organized sporting events.
4.1.2 Spreaders—Spreaders are necessary if dry fertilizer or
2.1.2 cool season turfgrasses, n—grass species widely
pest control materials are to be applied. Spreader types may
adapted to cool temperate climates. Some species persist and
include drop, rotary (centrifugal, spinner), or oscillating.
are used in warm humid to warm subhumid climates; referred
Spreaders should be calibrated to deliver the desired, labeled,
to as the transition zone. Cool season species commonly used
or recommended rate of fertilizer or pest control product being
for natural playing surfaces include Kentucky bluegrass, pe-
applied.
rennial ryegrass, tall fescue, fine leaf fescues, creeping bent-
4.1.3 Sprayers—Sprayers are necessary if liquid fertilizers
grass, and colonial bentgrass. Creeping and colonial bent-
or pest control materials are to be applied. Low pressure
grasses are normally used only on croquet and lawn bowling
systems are recommended. Sprayers should be calibrated to
courts.
deliver the desired, labeled, or recommended rate of fertilizer
2.1.3 thatch, n—an accumulation of undecomposed organic
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. (100–150 mm) spacings should be used
providing firm footing for the athletes and by cushioning their
on all playing surfaces. Spikers, slicers, or similar types of
equipment are not suitable for relieving surface compaction.
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Sports
Equipment and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F08.64 on
Natural Playing Surfaces. The boldface numbers in parentheses refers to the list of references at the end
Current edition approved Nov. 10, 2000. Published January 2001. of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
F2060
4.1.5 Seeders—Slit seeders should be used for any over- 6.2 Soil Testing—Soil testing should be performed on es-
seeding or renovation operations. Slit seeders cut a groove into tablished fields every three to four years. More frequent testing
the soil and deposit the seed in the groove at a predetermined (every one or two years) may be required on sand based fields
depth. or those having nutritional imbalances. Soil testing will iden-
4.1.6 Irrigation System or Equipment—Ideally,somesource tifynutrientdeficienciesthatmaybecorrectedbysupplemental
of water should be available for irrigation. Systems can range fertilizer applications or by fertilizer selection. Soil testing will
from portable or permanently installed types. also identify changes needed in soil reaction (pH).
4.1.7 Soil Sampling Tubes, used to sample soils for testing
6.2.1 Sampling—A representative sample should be taken
purposes.
from each field. Using a soil sampling tube, pull out about 50
random samples per acre of turf, and combine them to obtain
5. Mowing
a representative sample. Samples should be taken from the soil
5.1 Mowing (General)—The periodic removal of excess surface to a depth of 2 to 4 in. (51 to 102 mm), or a depth
shoot growth is necessary on natural surface playing fields. recommended by the testing laboratory.
5.2 Mowing Height—The mowing height of a natural sur-
6.2.2 Remove the thatch and any stones or debris.
face athletic field will vary with the sport, turfgrass species,
6.2.3 Thoroughly mix the cores and pull a 1-pt (0.5-L)
and time of the year.Adjust mowing heights accordingly, using
sample from the composite to submit to the testing laboratory.
Table 1.
6.2.4 Provide as much information to the laboratory as
5.3 Mowing Frequency—Fields should be mowed as often
possible, including the use of the area, grass species, past
as necessary. No more than ⁄3 of the leaf surface should be cut
fertilization history, irrigation or not, clipping removal or not,
off at any one mowing. Under normal growing conditions, this
age of the field, and other information the laboratory may
usually means every five to seven days for fields maintained at
request.
1.5 in. (38 mm) or higher, two or three times a week for
6.2.5 Submit the samples to a state or commercial soil
baseball infields and other closely mowed fields.
testing laboratory. Maintain records of samples submitted, to
5.4 Clipping Removal—Fields maintained at a mowing
include sampling date, soil testing laboratory, and results.
height of 1 in. (25 mm) or higher do not require that the
6.3 Soil Reaction (pH)—Soil pH should be maintained in a
clippings be removed at mowing if mowed at the proper
range of 6.0 to 7.0.
frequency. Only remove clippings if the grass is allowed to
grow excessively high so that clippings would accumulate on 6.3.1 Lime should be applied as per soil test recommenda-
the playing field surface. Playing surfaces maintained at one tions to increase soil pH. Lime materials may include pulver-
inch or shorter should have the clippings removed with each ized or granular limestone, pelletized limestone, and hydrated
mowing. lime. Use dolomitic liming materials if there is a need for
5.5 Mowing Pattern—Mowing direction should be varied additional magnesium in the soil.Apply lime in spring, or fall,
with each successive mowing. Striping of fields due to mowing or both, until the desired pH is attained.
direction can be accomplished with one or two mowings prior
6.3.2 Apply no more than 100 lbs of agricultural lime/1000
to an event.
ft (4900 kg/ha) per application on bluegrass, ryegrass, or tall
fescue fields.
6. Fertilization
6.3.3 Elemental sulfur or ammonium based fertilizers can
6.1 Fertilization (General)—Fertilization is essential for
beusedtodecreasesoilpH.Applyelementalsulfurataratenot
maintaining dense, vigorously growing natural turfgrass fields.
to exceed 5 lbs/1000 ft (245 kg/ha) in the spring and fall until
Fertilizer rate, timing, source, and ratio will influence a natural
the desired soil pH is reached.
turf’s density, color, uniformity, recuperative ability, as well as
6.4 Fertilizer Rate and Nitrogen Sourc
...