Fertilizing sports turf is critical in order to maintain turf vigor in spite of intense wear and tear. However, too little fertilizer or poorly timed fertilizer are common mistakes on sports complexes. Following are our recommendations for sports field fertilization:
Apply fertilizer just prior to the season to insure aggressive growth
Apply60% or more of annual N after Labor day to maximize performance of cool-season turfgrasses
Let the grass dictate the exact timing and rate of application. Slow growth, chlorotic/off-color, dollar spot, and or red thread are sure signs the turf needs fertilizer.
Though turf-type fertilizers are much preferred because of their slow-release characteristics and small uniform granule size, agricultural fertilizers (e.g. 12-12-12) could be used if budgets are severely restricted. Be careful with these fertilizers because they are hard to apply uniformly with such large granules and they can force excess growth if applied at high rates.
Test your soil every other year determine the amount of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) to apply.
Typical nitrogen (N) fertilization programs for cool-season sports fields in Indiana
Spring use |
Fall use |
Year around use |
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| Date | lbs N/ 1000 ft2 |
Comments | lbs N/ 1000 ft2 |
Comments | lbs N/ 1000 ft2 |
Comments |
| Mid-April | 0.75 | Just prior to season, use 50% slow release* | 0.75 | Just prior to season, use 25-50% slow release | ||
| Late-May | 1.0 | After growth flush, use 25-50% slow release | 1.0 | After growth flush, use 25-50% slow release | 0.75 | After growth flush, use 25-50% slow release |
| Early-July | 0.75 | Only if irrigated, use 25-50% slow release | 0.75 | Only if irrigated, use 25-50% slow release | 0.75 | Only if irrigated, use 25-50% slow release |
| Mid-August | 0.75 | Just prior to season, use 25-50% slow release | 0.75 | Only if irrigated, use 25-50% slow release | ||
| Early-September | 1.0 | Use 25-50% slow release | 1.0 | Use 25-50% slow release | 1.0 | Use 25-50% slow release |
| Early-October | 1.0 | Only if field is in very bad shape, use 100% quick release** | 1.0 | use 100% quick release | 1.0 | use 100% quick release |
| November | 1.0 | Near last mowing, use 100% quick release | 1.0 | Near last mowing, use 100% quick release | 1.0 | Near last mowing, use 100% quick release |
* Slow release N sources include: sulfur/polymer coated urea, methylene ureas, and natural organis/biosolids. ** Quick releasxe N sources include: urea, ammonium sulfate and potassium nitrate. |
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Send corrections, suggestions, and comments to biehlj@purdue.edu