Case Study

At Chappaqua Public Schools in Westchester County, New York, a soil and nutrient management program has delivered impressive results for the district's athletic fields over a 14-year period.

Through a focus on soil health and proper nutrition, the district maintained thick, healthy turf without mechanical aeration or crabgrass control applications. Only one herbicide treatment for clover was needed during the 14 years.

The dense turf also eliminated the need for routine fall overseeding, helping reduce annual maintenance costs while maintaining quality playing surfaces.

GOALS:

• Derive better results from the investment made in turf care.
• Comply with recent laws passed regarding pesticide applications to public turf areas.
• Make applications using in-house staff.

PROCESS::

• Tested each field using Prescription Soil Analysis’ 19-point, advanced, nutrient-availability soil testing service.
• Developed an “annual maintenance” program based on soil test reports and recommendations.
• Developed a longer-term “soil health care” program to correct the soil’s deficiencies and
  imbalances as detailed by the soil tests.
• Recommended specific attachments required to allow for in-house applications using current equipment and staff.
• Conducted a detailed “audit” of the irrigation systems to insure proper functioning.

RESULTS:

• Purchased attachments to use with current equipment to make applications.
• Provided training for staff to insure proper application of materials and operation of irrigation systems.
• Began purchasing products starting with soil amendments (August 2012).

GOALS:

• Customer saw visible improvements to turf within the first six weeks prior to any actual “fertilizers” being applied.
• Have seen consistent and steady improvement in quality of turf including color and turf density.
• Soil has improved allowing for better porosity and turf recovery even in “high-wear” areas.
• Customer has not performed any mechanical aeration since 2010, thereby saving labor and equipment costs.
• The need to re-seed, even in high-wear areas, has been reduced by more than 75% saving the cost of seed, labor and equipment.
• There have been no insect or disease issues since the program started resulting in additional cost savings.
• No crabgrass controls have been applied which saved more money while meeting the new pesticide laws.
• Applied one herbicide application (2014) at the request of parents to eliminate clover and reduce the possibilities of bee stings.
• There are virtually no weeds or crabgrass in the playing fields even without control product applications.
• Amount of “annual maintenance” materials required has reduced resulting in additional cost savings of products, labor and equipment.
• Increased soil biological activity has reduced the need for soil amendments based on repeated soil testing every three years.
• Staff has received numerous compliments from coaches, parents and the public on the
  appearance and quality of turf.
• School administrators are very pleased with the program results, especially the diminishing costs.