Giving athletes a safe playing surface means giving natural turf grass some extra TLC during the offseason. This includes protecting sports fields from frost and the damaging effects of winter precipitation. Even a short cold spell can affect the grass’s health, meaning schools and other organizations have to spend more time and money repairing their facilities. With these frost protection methods, however, you can keep your turf safe.
What Frost Does to Turf
Here in Alabama, we might not get big storms that drop a massive amount of snow, but winter temperatures can get fairly low. When the air gets chilly, it can cause frost to form.
Frost is a layer of ice that forms when the air temperature falls below freezing but still contains an excess amount of water. Although the effects depend on the severity of the frost, even a light layer can cause damage. The ice causes the cells inside the blades of grass to rupture, and it’s this cell damage that’s the source of all the issues.
For that reason, protecting sports fields from frost is crucial because exposure can lead to discoloration, especially anywhere people walk on them. Frost can also interrupt the process of photosynthesis, causing weak blades that won’t grow and, in extreme cases, even kill the grass.
Stopping Cold Weather Damage to Your Playing Fields
Protecting sports fields from frost and snow requires implementing several measures.
Use Turf Blankets
In northern climates, snow is actually beneficial to grass. Snow insulation benefits include a blanket of protection against frost and freezing temperatures. However, because snow is a rarity here, turf maintenance in winter may require the use of a snow blanket or field cover to protect the grass.
Snow blanket benefits are similar to those of a few inches of snowfall. They create a more consistent ground temperature and stop frost formation. Other turf blanket benefits include better post-winter grass recovery and faster growth.
Irrigation and Drainage System Insulation
Snow and ice management is a critical part of sports field maintenance, and that includes preparing the irrigation and drainage systems for winter. If you don’t winterize the irrigation system properly by draining the pipes and removing sprinkler heads, cold temperatures could cause it to freeze. Frozen pipes can damage both the field and the equipment.
Limit Field Access
Walking across a frost-covered field will harm the grass. The pressure of footsteps can increase cell damage to already fragile blades. In addition, frozen soil compacts more. Compaction can limit how much water and oxygen reach the grass roots and slow down new growth in the spring.
Therefore, limiting foot traffic and reminding people to stay off the sports fields will help ensure they are in great shape for the upcoming season.
Get Help Maintaining Play-Ready Sports Fields
River Region Sports Fields are the local experts in sports field construction and maintenance. Call us at (205) 617-4884 with questions about protecting sports fields from frost or how to keep your turf healthy and safe in any season.