Turf Diagnostics & Design
Helping You Have Healthy Turf
Volume 2
1999
Because of our diversity, Turf Diagnostics and Design (TDD) can be utilized
during multiple phases of the new construction or renovation process to
help provide an agronomically efficient and environmentally responsible
turf system. In order to maximize our services, an understanding
of our potential role for each phase is essential. In this newsletter,
we outline various phases of the new construction/renovation process and
define our possible role within each phase.
Site Selection and Assessment
During initial site selection, TDD provides detailed site assessments
that outline any potential agronomic risks.
Owner Expectations Development Budget
TDD can recommend soil design concepts that meet the owner’s budget
and agronomic performance expectations.
Design Development
TDD tests samples from local sources for potential use prior to the
final specification. This enables the architect to create specifications
that can be met by local products without incurring the cost of importing
distant materials.
Construction Documents
During this crucial stage, TDD provides specification review,
and creation of quality control and material performance specifications.
TDD will develop performance specifications for a variety of rootzone types,
considering such site issues as, water resources, grassing plan, owner’s
expectations, and construction and maintenance budgets.
Construction Administration
The construction phase is where the utilization of our services is
at its peak. TDD’s involvement in the construction administration
process is as a testing agent and includes the following:
Materials Qualification
Initial testing is performed on submitted materials for comparison
back to the project’s specification. Once a compliant material has
been located, this data is utilized as a benchmark for the corresponding
quality control program. This phase of testing can require the testing
of multiple samples until one is located that satisfies the specification.
Traditional material qualification programs consist of the following testing:
1. Particle Size Analysis of the Sand sample
2. Gravel Distribution Analysis of the Drainage or Trench Gravel
3. Performance Testing of a Sand/Organic Lab-Mix
4. Particle size analysis and performance testing of initial field
mix (Benchmark Sample).
To safeguard against potential time constraints, we recommend steps
1 - 3 of this phase be conducted well in advance of the scheduled material
blending.
Quality Control Program
The quality control program involves the monitoring of construction
materials during the construction process. Quality control samples
are compared to the benchmark results and either rejected or approved based
on their consistency. Quality control programs usually consist of
monitoring the particle size and organic matter contents of blended samples
that are collected at specified increments. Material should not be
delivered to the site prior to lab approval.
Post Installation Testing
We recommend spot testing rootzone material once it has been placed.
This allows for detection of any rootzone contamination that may have occurred
during delivery or installation. Fertility samples should also be
collected and submitted prior to seeding.
On-Going Post Construction Maintenance
Topdressing is an integral part of any long-term maintenance program.
However, if the applied sand is not compatible with the current rootzone
material it can be more detrimental than good. Because of the compatibility
risks, we recommend conducting a topdress evaluation to verify compatibility
between the two materials. This helps to identify potential agronomic
risks and minimize problems
Rootzone Design Options
In the turfgrass industry, there are numerous rootzone designs and
options available. Traditionally, testing for the entire spectrum
of rootzone designs has been done using a single series of protocols.
Every design has its niche and unique performance characteristics.
Because of their idiosyncrasies, an understanding of each of these designs
is necessary to effectively address potential risks. TDD has expertise
in the following rootzone types and specifications:
-
Greens – USGA* (Inverted Filter), California, Push-up
-
Tees - Sand Caps, Push-up, Inverted Filter
-
Fairways - Sand Plating, Native Soil
-
TDD also offers Bunker testing
TDD has refined a series of accredited tests for the evaluation and risk
assessment of materials for each of these designs.
*USGA – 1993-94 Guidelines are recommendations and are considered specifications
only when inserted into a specification document. These guidelines
are broad scoped recommendations and may not deal with site issues.
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