March into lawn renovation

Carol O'Meara CSU Cooperative Extension

Editor's note: This is the first of a two-part series. Next week, Chris Hathaway, turf manager of the Denver Broncos' Sports Authority Field at Mile High, will give his take on turf cultivation.

Now that the season is over, the Denver Broncos are changing things up. But a new coach and changes to the roster aren't the only thing getting a makeover for next year's run at the Superbowl. To step up their game, the Broncos are giving their field a face-lift.

"All things have a lifespan, and the field the Broncos play on was designed for 10 years. Through good management, it was extended to 13 years; it served the team well," said James Graff, co-owner of Graff's Turf Farms in Fort Morgan. "What people don't realize is the stadium is used more heavily and differently today than it was in its first year, and it's hard to repair."

The combination of grass with synthetic fibers had to be hand-stitched whenever new sod was laid to repair worn spots. Whenever possible, repairs were made by over-seeding instead of with sod to avoid having staff serve as seamstresses for the field. Now at the end of its lifespan, the field is being completely renovated. An all-bluegrass field is going in, which allows the turf manager flexibility and ease of management.

What it won't do is take a lot of water, said Graff. "Bluegrass doesn't have to be the water hog homeowners make it out to be. You can count on sports turf managers to manage their resources wisely. The Broncos spend smart; they're wise in what they do and won't blow through water with this new field."

They're also using this time when the turf is removed to make repairs and upgrades to the heating and irrigation system.

Homeowners wanting to renovate their yards should be using this time too, says Graff, to plan and prepare the yard for renovation. While the Broncos have the advantage of heated soil, homeowners still have frozen ground. But you can plan for success and be ready for the ideal time of March into April to begin your project.

Focus on what is needed by asking the experts which type of grass is best for the area, if the irrigation system needs upgrading or how much maintenance you want to invest. In all cases, soil preparation must be on the to-do list.

Good soil is crucial to healthy turf; if yours has too much clay or is compacted, air and water aren't available to the roots. If there's too much sand, water and nutrients won't stay in the root zone. Have a soil test done to determine what your soil is like, including pH and existing nutrients.

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March into lawn renovation