At Johnson Central we have an imaculately maintained bermuda grass field that is probably one of the best east of Lexington. I know that Prestonsburg just installed new turf, but I'm not sure what type of grass they used. What do you think is the best for football?

JC's field is top notch. :thumb:

 

Bermuda is almost perfect for football. And it does well in KY. Pretty hard to beat it for a natural grass surface.

I didn't want to say just yet, but bermuda is great. With proper nutrition and water it will repair itself very quickly and really holds up well under heavy use.

Bermuda is by far the best. But, in the climate and conditions in KY it takes a TON of work and upkeep. Basically, there are only 3 months or so that are conducive to prime growing for that type of turf. Most bermuda surfaces begin to turn brown and thin out around the first of October. Usually by playoff week one, the surface is totally dormant.

Bermuda with the rubber pellets spread over the entire field makes the field last much longer over the season.

Bermuda with the rubber pellets spread over the entire field makes the field last much longer over the season.

 

 

Knott Central will be doing this next spring. Knott held their grid last Friday ..2 games in the rain and you can barely tell it has been played on..yes Bermuda is the best natural surface!

Bermuda is the best,but you're right for it look good it takes alot of work. You have to fertilize,and spray and mow it at least 3 times a week. If you're willing to do all that they sure look good.:

Bermuda is the best,but you're right for it look good it takes alot of work. You have to fertilize,and spray and mow it at least 3 times a week. If you're willing to do all that they sure look good.:

 

Agreed, with the caveat that you also have to water the heck out it during the summer. It loves water, heat and constant mowing. If you do that, the lateral roots spread out and it becomes thick and chokes out all the other grasses.

 

Which, while great for a thick head of Bermuda, does become somewhat of a problem if you host a lot of late season games and playoff games. It does go dormant at the first frost. Once dormant, it can be torn up in large divots. With no other grasses present, the divot remains as a bad spot. A lot of schools thus regularly overseed with other grasses in the fall to help fill in the divots. Lots of maintenance costs, care and attention must be paid to Bermuda if you play late season games. If you are willing to do that, its great.

Bermuda is the best,but you're right for it look good it takes alot of work. You have to fertilize,and spray and mow it at least 3 times a week. If you're willing to do all that they sure look good.:

Most Bermuda grass produce both below and above surface stems (vines) that can help hold sand or rubber pellets in place, which help protect the soil from hardening. This also will allow the grass to recover from damage, more quickly.

 

Bermuda grass will root more heavily during the summer months and will appear thicker. This can allow the field maintenance crew, to keep the grass cut shorter and recover more quickly. Most football fields will be maintained at about 3/4", which helps a football team with lateral movement and speed.

 

Most areas can repaired quickly, with a mixture of sand and rye over-seed. The sand will enable the bermuda vines, to spread and cover any divot areas torn.

 

The biggest drawback with Bermuda grass is that it doesn't remain green late in the football season and usually appears brown/dormant. Over-seeding with perennial rye when Bermuda grass starts to lose color and when the daily temperature begins to drop, will maintain the fields' green color.

Nice offering on the bermuda surface.

 

Here is my theory........

 

Bermuda is a great surface to play on. The problem with the surface is it does go doormat after the first frost and from then on, it is not aesthetically

pleasing to most. At that point, most, including UK Commonwealth Stadium overseeds with a rye grass to bring back the color. This is strictly for looks. Only problem with that, is the rye grass converts the surface from one of great traction, to a much slicker surface.

 

I contend, this is one of the reasons we have seen so many knee injuries at Commonwealth Stadium and probably other fields who elect to overseed with the rye grass.

 

Bermuda is the best if you leave it alone and live with the browning in the fall in Kentucky's climate.

Nice offering on the bermuda surface.

 

Here is my theory........

 

Bermuda is a great surface to play on. The problem with the surface is it does go doormat after the first frost and from then on, it is not aesthetically

pleasing to most. At that point, most, including UK Commonwealth Stadium overseeds with a rye grass to bring back the color. This is strictly for looks. Only problem with that, is the rye grass converts the surface from one of great traction, to a much slicker surface.

 

I contend, this is one of the reasons we have seen so many knee injuries at Commonwealth Stadium and probably other fields who elect to overseed with the rye grass.

I agree on the knee injuries and two key points, are necessary about Bermuda Grass, along with proper maintenance as described above.

 

1) The soil type base, needs to be tested and the PH monitored, along with acidity levels. Soil containing predominantly clayeuous substance, will become hard and compacted over time, which will limit the stem/vines from creeping and maintaining thickness. Soil mixture and additives, should be added per the test results.

 

2) Sand or rubber pellets need to be added and maintained, at or near the height of the cut grass surface. This will help drainage and allow the water to be taken below the level of the field, thus minimizing the amount of tears and damage to the grass surface. This will also help the cleat, from becoming entangled/planted in the vines, as a player plants to drive or accelerate.

Frankfort use to have it...but the main man retired...:cry:

Ashland's playing field is amazing every year.

I don't know what Danville uses but their field is always awesome...

I don't know what Danville uses but their field is always awesome...

 

bermuda.