Adopted by Grounds Maintenance Priority Levels X-Country Trail Other Important Guidelines 2 4 4 3 1 4 1 3 1 Informed Product Choice 4  Read labels and MSDS thoroughly prior to making a choice  Choose products with proven efficacy at low use rates  Choose products that pose the 3 lowest exposure potential (watered into the soil, little to no surface residues, low volatility & low drift potential)  Choose selective products that affect a narrow range of 3 organisms  Avoid products like weed and 1 3 feed that require broadcast application 1 1 2 3 1 3 2 3 4 1 1 Numbers indicate the grounds maintenance priority level Grounds maintenance contracts should clearly establish:  The goals of the IPM program  What services are provided and how they are implemented  Posting and notification responsibilities  Consultation with the IPM coordinator  The population levels of specific pests that can be tolerated without treatment  Appropriate procedures to correct pest Grounds Maintenance Priority Levels Level 1—Highest care areas, e.g., some varsity playing fields Level 2—High care areas, e.g., practice fields or multipurpose fields. May include varsity fields or high visibility lawn areas depending on the school Level 3—Moderate care areas, e.g., playgrounds, low-use areas, common areas. May include practice fields and some lawn areas depending on the school Level 4—Lowest care areas, e.g., most lawn areas, natural areas, fence lines, property edges, slopes, utility areas, ditches or trails problems  The restrictions on pesticide use: types of applications, timing of applications, restricted locations, materials that can be used  The pest management actions that are the responsibility of the school district
Adopted by Level Specific BMPs for Athletic Fields and School Grounds Level 1 – Highest Care Level 2 – High Care Level 3 – Moderate Care Level 4 – Lowest Care High impact athletic game fields, e.g. varsity football, soccer, hockey fields  Low impact athletic game fields, e.g. baseball, softball  Multipurpose fields  Athletic practice fields  High visibility lawns  Moderate use areas  Playground fields  Utility areas, slopes, ditches  Natural areas  Fence lines/property edges  Field Use Restrictions  Whenever possible restrict fiel and surface water is present  If field size allows, move goal a d use when soils are saturated reas regularly Soil Test At establishment and bef 1-3 years when pH need Every 2 – 5 years otherw Soil test should determin  Nutrient levels  pH  of compaction  Soil texture and structu  Percent organic matter  Thatch depth  Rooting depth ore renovation and every s to be adjusted ise e: re (Level 1 only) At establishment and before renovation or repair and every 1- 3 years when pH needs to be adjusted Every 3 – 5 years other wise  test for nutrient levels and pH At establishment and before renovation test for nutrient levels and pH Irrigation for Maintenance of Established Turf  Supplement rainfall when needed to provide a total of 1” of water per week when grass is actively growing (April – November)  Water turf early in the morning  As needed to promote active turf growth and prevent summer dormancy  Water turf early in the morning Only required during ren otherwise allow summer ovation or repair, dormancy Aeration  2-6 times/year at a depth of 3- 12 inches using a combination of hollow core, solid tine, or shatter aeration  At least one of the aerations should be deep tine or shatter to a depth of at least 8 inches  Intense use areas require the most aeration  Avoid spring aeration when seeding of crabgrass or other summer annuals is a threat  1-2 times/year as needed  Use a combination of hollow core, solid tine, or shatter aeration at a depth of 3 – 8 inches  Avoid spring aeration when seeding of crabgrass or other summer annuals is a threat  Once two years or as needed  Avoid spring aeration when seeding of crabgrass or other summer annuals is a threat Never