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2016 Sportsfield

Management Advisory Report

For

Gisborne District Council

February 2016

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Appendix 1

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Prepared By: David Ormsby

Agronomist New Zealand Sports Turf Institute

DDI: 07 846 7698 Mobile: 027 442 8053 Email: [email protected] Job Reference: 2016 Sportsfield Management Advisory Report Date of Visit: 24 February, 2016 Prepared For: Gisborne District Council Garrett Blair – Team Leader Parks & Reserves

Disclaimer This report has been prepared by the New Zealand Sports Turf Institute (NZSTI) specifically for use by the client for the identified project or location. No responsibility will be accepted by NZSTI for the use of the information by other parties or for other purposes. Conditions of Copyright The contents of this report are copyright of the New Zealand Sports Turf Institute (NZSTI). The information shall not be copied or reproduced in any form or by any means without the written approval of NZSTI. © New Zealand Sports Turf Institute Ltd

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Table of Contents

Summary .......................................................................................................... 1 1. Review ..................................................................................................................1 1.1

Key recommendations ..........................................................................................1 1.2

Introduction ...................................................................................................... 3 2.

Management Issues ......................................................................................... 3 3. Fertiliser ................................................................................................................3 3.1

Black beetle ..........................................................................................................3 3.2

Irrigation................................................................................................................4 3.3

Sowing ..................................................................................................................5 3.4

Turfing – suggested procedure .............................................................................5 3.5

Line marking .........................................................................................................6 3.6

Specific grounds .............................................................................................. 6 4. Wainui Reserve ....................................................................................................6 4.1

Waikirikiri Reserve ................................................................................................7 4.2

Anzac Park ...........................................................................................................7 4.3

Childers Reserve ..................................................................................................8 4.4

The Oval ...............................................................................................................9 4.5

Barry Park ...........................................................................................................10 4.6

Nelson Park ........................................................................................................11 4.7

Watson Reserve .................................................................................................11 4.8

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Summary 1.

Review 1.1

The fields have come through the summer in good order and are in a much stronger condition than observed last year exhibiting a largely complete turf cover. This reflects the wetter than normal summer and shows the potential benefits that can be achieved if irrigation is provided. There are localised weak/bare areas on some fields and this largely reflects high wear areas (goal mouths, practise areas) and where cool season grasses (ryegrass, Poa annua) have died or are dormant.

Key recommendations 1.2

Soluble nitrogen fertilising 1.2.1

Both Couch and Kikuyu have a tremendous growth potential during summer and when well dispersed through fields as occurs on many of your parks, there is a great opportunity to ‘force it’ and establish a complete turf cover. The focus should be in ‘wet summers’ such as just occurred, applying soluble nitrogen such as Urea (100kg/ha) in conjunction with significant rain fall events to the weak warm season grassed areas to encourage a dense turf cover. As identified, the irrigation can be more effectively used with Urea, to improve the density of Couch over summer. My recommendation is to use soluble nitrogen fertilisers such as Urea, ammonium sulphate or Calcium ammonium nitrate (winter) which will both ‘force’ or maximise growth and are the most cost effective means of achieving growth.

Seeding 1.2.2

The only ‘real benefit’ that I can see of seeding the bare areas (excluding Childers Park – No.1) that are present (e.g. goal mouths, practise areas) is largely as a marketing opportunity to the community ‘i.e. something has been done’. Essentially you will need reliable rains over a 4 – 6 week period and even then the grass won’t be mature enough to tolerate the winter wear that will be incurred. As experienced in the past, in most instances Poa annua will fill in the gaps once regular rainfall occurs. Fertiliser programmes have been provided to encourage the Poa annua.

Turfing programme 1.2.3

The turfing programme proposed last year was discussed. Obviously, turfing a field is a large undertaking. A more manageable way to start making progress towards warm season dominant surfaces is to start turfing smaller more manageable areas (1000m2 – approx.) that will have a positive impact on the community and play.

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With this in mind I recommend identifying some goal mouths, practise areas that can be turfed during spring (mid-August – September); for example: Wainui Park – goal mouth, Anzac Park practise area, Practise areas – Childers Park No.2 and Barry Park. The area that can be turfed will depend on available nursery stocks (note the local rather than importing ‘improved cultivars’, finance and the area that can be maintained for the 2 – 4 weeks required for the turf to establish.

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Introduction 2.

A New Zealand Sports Turf Institute (NZSTI) sportsfield turf advisory visit to Gisborne District Council sportsfields with Council and Downer representatives took place on 24 February 2016. This report summarises the discussions that took place and the specific recommendations arising from the visit.

Management Issues 3.

Fertiliser 3.1

This was discussed last year. The overriding goal is to promote the warm season grasses that dominate the turf on many of your parks. Where significant rainfall events (>25 – 30mm) occur during the November – early March period the goal should be to fertilise the weak/thin couch/Kikuyu areas with Urea at 100kg/ha. Note fertiliser is not required on those areas with a full cover. Another strategy that should be considered is to limit the area that is being irrigated with the travellers, i.e. break field up into sections with emphasis being on the weaker sections. Broadcast Urea to the irrigated area and water for two days in a row. The applied water/fertiliser should last for 5 – 7 days. This sectional approach will allow you over the summer to thicken up the turf areas and achieve greater benefits from the irrigation. Urea is preferred as its very cheap and also soluble, i.e. it will (unlike many other products) be quickly dissolved by the travellers and washed into the rootzone. The use of slow release fertilisers was discussed. My concerns are these are a more expensive way to apply a unit of nitrogen and unless they have a lot of up front N, lack the ability to force the growth adequately required in this situation. Where you have a lot of up front N (usually Urea) then the longevity is reduced. Where Urea is applied during rain as recommended, the risk of burn is minimal. Where budget is not an issue, one possible situation where a slow release product could be used is early – mid December. Note the product selected should have at least 90% slow release nitrogen. Providing adequate moisture is available this should provide a growth response for 8 – 10 weeks. Perhaps an option is to trial this to see if it provides the desired growth response.

Black beetle 3.2

Warm season grasses can tolerate very high numbers of Black beetle larvae before treatment is required. On unirrigated cool season grasses (browntop. Poa annua are most susceptible) treatment is usually required once larvae numbers exceed 3/spade divot, whilst for warm season grasses numbers need to exceed 6/spade divot. Additionally it is now recognised that adults can cause significant damage during autumn as the turf green’s up following summer and can delay recovery in autumn of cool season species.

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Based on our assessment, numbers do not presently require treatment. When treating Black beetle the two main options are:

• Suscon Green @ 15kg/ha The new rules require that when using a granular chlorpyrifos formulation that the granules are covered by soil. Consequently it is essential, that the contractor selected, completes drill seeding to the specified depth (10 – 20mm) and their undersower is capable of placing the Suscon Green within the seed furrow. In addition trail a drag mat behind the undersower to ensure any loose granules are worked into the turf canopy.

• Acelepryn @ 0.75L/ha applied in August approx. once adults are first seen moving. This product will control the larvae.

Irrigation 3.3

It’s good to see GDC installing irrigation at Childers Reserve. In your dry climate when coupled with warm season grasses, this is a good model for providing predictable and acceptable quality sports turf for the community. Obviously supply is presently an issue and long term bores offer a better source. Given the emotion surrounding water use from the public, it is important that council/contractor is seen to be using water effectively. With this in mind I recommend using a moisture meter to monitor soil moisture levels and hence allow you to fine tune soil moisture levels. For example: GRASS TYPE SEASONAL MOISTURE TARGET LEVELS

Spring 1 September – December 20

Summer December 21 – March 15

Autumn 16 March onwards

Irrigate when average moisture content falls below

Continue irrigation

until average moisture content reaches

Irrigate when moisture average content falls below

Continue irrigation


Irrigate when average moisture content falls below

Continue irrigation


Ryegrass

<15%

>30%

<20%

>30%

<17%

>25% Couch Irrigation shouldn’t be

required 10% 25% Irrigation shouldn’t be

required

Results are based on using the Spectrum moisture meter and 75mm long probes. The other approach is look at the colour of the soil – however at the lower limits it’s often hard to pick up on the subtle changes.

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15% Volumetric moisture content – lower limit for ryegrass

46% Volumetric moisture content – too wet

Silt loam soil LHS 43% (too wet), Centre 27% (about right) RHS 15% (lower limit for cool season grasses)

Sowing 3.4

This was discussed in last year’s report. With the exception of the irrigation lines at Childers Reserve – No.1, there is little point in seeding the weak areas. To be successful we need:

• Reliable rainfall for the next 8 – 10 weeks • At least 8 – 10 week grow in period for ryegrass seedlings to mature adequately

The main benefit that sowing does offer is a marketing opportunity for the community, i.e. whilst you are increasing the Couch content within the fields the public will at least some germination and by then the Poa annua will be filling in the weak areas.

Turfing – suggested procedure 3.5

During late August/September when the Couch just starts to green-up, commence a turfing programme. Note: With couch, root development begins prior to green-up when soil temperatures at 100mm are 100C or greater, i.e. turfing can be completed quite early in spring.

1. During spring identify area which can be actively managed within available resources for 4 – 6 week period over spring and have adequate turf.

2. In the case of goal mouths/penalty boxes (e.g. Wainui, Anzac Park) negotiate with the club as to shortening up the field for the last part of the season, in order that turfing can be completed.

3. Remove the existing turf to a depth of 30mm – deeper cut turf is preferred to provide a greater chance of survival and stability.

4. Broadcast an NPK soluble fertiliser such as Nitrophoska Blue 12-5-14 or similar at 2kg/100m2 and rake this into the surface 25mm.

5. In the case of goal mouths import additional topsoil and reshape the goal mouth such that hollows are addressed and a slight crown is formed.

6. For small areas such as goal mouths/practise areas, consider pinning the turf using biodegradable stakes. Contact Brent Baber – Babeco at 09 294 6040.

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7. Heavily water the turf and lightly roll. On grounds such as Wainui consider using a water truck; 44 gallon drum of water etc. Water again after rolling such that the profile is uniformly moist to a depth of 100mm (approx.) this should already be present following winter.

8. If there are any exposed edges that will dry, shadow with soil. 9. Depending on the spring heavily water the turfed areas (typically every 2 – 3 days) but as

required to keep the turf moist. Irrigation should only be required for a 10 – 14 day period

Line marking 3.6

The transition to using line marking paint as opposed to glyphosate is commendable. Although there are costs with this approach, it does do away with some of the maintenance and playing issues caused by using glyphosate. The issues with glyphosate are:

• Poor line marking technique particularly when volunteers are marking fields • Rregional issues that occur when using glyphosate, namely:

o Bare lines dry and severely crack over summer – By accounts some sporting codes have been complaining about this for some time.

o On the sandier soils the lines erode. • Lines get deeper and unsafe requiring localised soiling – which is expensive.

Specific grounds 4.

Wainui Reserve 4.1

Situation 4.1.1

Field is largely completely grassed given the wet summer. Some broad leaf weeds are present. Goal mouth is worn with poor levels and a sparse grass cover dominated by summer grasses.

Recommendations 4.1.2

The following programme is suggested:

Fertiliser Sowing Weed control Turfing - Provisional March (if adequate rain occurs) Urea at 100kg/ha

Refer comments in General section. Benefits are likely to be cosmetic only.

Complete as proposed this autumn

If budget allows commence localised turfing programme within the goal mouth and practise area (refer General section)

April/May (once Poa germinates) – Ammonium sulphate @ 100kg/ha

September/October (provisional) Check the weed content. To avoid damaging Couch/Kikuyu apply clopyralid or metsulfuron.

June/July Calcium ammonium nitrate @ 120kg/ha December – March When adequate rains occur – Urea at 100kg/ha

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Waikirikiri Reserve 4.2

This ground is in excellent order.


Fertiliser Aeration Weed control Comment April/May Ammonium sulphate @ 100kg/ha

To improve drainage, consider vibramoling fields across the installed drains this autumn.

September/October (provisional) Check the weed content.

The exact nitrogen programme will depend on the intensity of use and hence wear incurred. Based on your intent to increase use of this park a more comprehensive nitrogen programme is proposed. Given the soils have better moisture this year, vibramoling offers a means to provide a link between the surface and drains, whilst resulting in minimal damage.

June/July - Provisional Calcium ammonium nitrate @ 120kg/ha September/October- Provisional When adequate rains occur – Urea at 100kg/ha

Anzac Park 4.3

Current situation 4.3.1

As would be expected following summer the field has an ‘open turf cover’. Once reliable rainfall occurs the rye grass will thicken up and Poa annua will again fill in the gaps. The practise area is heavily worn and will struggle to recover this year. The option of turning the light around so that practise occurs on the passive area was discussed. Not surprisingly, the goal mouth/penalty boxes have a sparser than desired turf cover. Unfortunately proposed sowing is unlikely to provide anything other than short term cosmetic improvements.


Fertiliser Sowing Weed control Turfing - Provisional April/May (once Poa germinates) – Ammonium sulphate @ 100kg/ha



If budget allows commence localised turfing programme within the goal mouths and practise area (refer General section).

June/July Calcium ammonium nitrate @ 120kg/ha

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Fertiliser Sowing Weed control Turfing - Provisional December – March When adequate rains occur – Urea at 100kg/ha

Review the opportunity of turning the practise light around.

Childers Reserve 4.4

Situation 4.4.1

(a) No.1

The installation of automatic irrigation on the No.1 field is a great step forwards and the benefits are already evident in terms of improved turf cover. The main issue is your limited irrigation window. Longer term bores offer a better, more reliable water source. The other option is rather than trying to irrigate the entire field in a 2 hour cycle, it will likely be better to complete irrigation over a two day period. Overwatering is always a concern and strategies to avoid this are identified in the General section. The main requirement is to over sow and fertilise the irrigation lines and thereby provide a uniform playing surface this winter.

(b) No.2

Overall the practise area has a reasonable couch dominant turf cover. The problem is that there are some large bare areas. It is expected that Poa annua will re-establish once cooler weather and reliable rainfall occurs. This is a ground where the turfing and localised watering/fertilising has the potential to significantly improve the couch density. Turfing has been covered previously. In terms of irrigation, I recommend during the December – March period you limit irrigation to areas of the field that can be adequately watered in your available window and in conjunction with irrigation apply urea 3 – 4 weekly until a full couch cover is achieved. This combination when adopted on a section by section basis should result in major improvements of the turf quality in 1 – 2 seasons. Note: The beauty of Couch is a deep heavy watering will generally last the plant for at least 5 – 7 days.


(a) No.1

Fertiliser Sowing Weed control Aeration March – May Once germination occurs, use a wheeled pedestrian spreader to fertilise the lines fortnightly with ammonium sulphate at

Oversow the irrigation lines and shadow with 5 – 10mm of sieved soil and track roll. Keep moist until germination occurs.


March/April Verti-drain with 19mm diameter solid tynes to maintain winter drainage.

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Fertiliser Sowing Weed control Aeration 120kg/ha equivalent

April/May Ammonium sulphate @ 100kg/ha

June Verti-drain with 19mm diameter solid tynes

June/July Calcium ammonium nitrate @ 120kg/ha

September/October Verti-drain with 19mm diameter solid tynes to improve summer infiltration.

September/October Ammonium sulphate @ 100kg/ha

(b) No.2

Fertiliser Sowing Weed control Turfing - Provisional March (if adequate rain occurs) Urea at 100kg/ha


September/October (provisional) Check the weed content. To avoid damaging Couch/Kikuyu apply clopyralid or metsulfuron.

If budget allows commence localised turfing programme within the large bare areas is recommended April/May (once Poa

germinates) – Ammonium sulphate @ 100kg/ha June/July Calcium ammonium nitrate @ 120kg/ha December – March In conjunction with irrigation – Urea at 100kg/ha

The Oval 4.5


This park is subjected to very intensive use. In the absence of irrigation, it will be a struggle to provide significantly better playing conditions. Fortunately the wetter than usual summer has meant the fields will go into winter in a stronger condition. Not surprisingly the field closest to the car park have a more open and tufty ryegrass dominant surface, whilst the No.2 area has essentially a good turf cover dominated by Couch. The key requirements on this park are:

1. Short term During the winter growing (playing season), apply nitrogen regularly (4 – 6 weekly), to force growth and hence recovery in the face of intensive use. Keeping the surface ‘open’ with regular aeration.

2. Long term

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The key goals here are to install irrigation and establish a complete couch cover.


Fertiliser Weed control Aeration Comment April & May Ammonium sulphate @ 100kg/ha



As discussed for Childers Park use irrigation and Urea applications during summer to encourage the spread and hence density of couch.

June Verti-drain with 19mm diameter solid tynes

June & July Calcium ammonium nitrate @ 120kg/ha September/October Ammonium sulphate @ 100kg/ha

September/October Verti-drain with 19mm diameter solid tynes to improve summer infiltration.

December – March In conjunction with irrigation – Urea at 100kg/ha

Barry Park 4.6


This field is in good order and largely has the complete couch dominant turf cover. As expected there are localised weak/bare areas, but these are manageable and could easily be returfed with Couch. Black beetle was an issue (approximately 1/divot) but present levels do not warrant treatment. The key goals on this park are:

1. As discussed for Childers No.2, limit irrigation to that which can be watered adequately and during summer in conjunction with irrigation, fertilise the irrigated area with Urea at 100kg/ha. This patch work approach should result in you more effectively establishing a dense couch cover.

2. The localised bare (typically training areas) are prime candidates for localised turfing.


Fertiliser Weed control Aeration Turfing - Provisional March (if adequate rain occurs) Urea at 100kg/ha

September/October (provisional) Check the weed content. To avoid damaging


If budget allows commence localised turfing programme within the localised bare areas present

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Fertiliser Weed control Aeration Turfing - Provisional April/May (once Poa germinates) – Ammonium sulphate @ 100kg/ha

Couch/Kikuyu apply clopyralid or metsulfuron.

September/October Verti-drain with 19mm diameter solid tynes to improve summer infiltration. June/July - Provisional

Calcium ammonium nitrate @ 120kg/ha December – March When adequate rains occur/in conjunction with irrigation – Urea at 100kg/ha

Nelson Park 4.7

This park is in excellent order. Drainage has improved considerably by accounts since the drains were flushed.

Fertiliser Aeration Weed control Comment April/May Ammonium sulphate @ 100kg/ha

To improve drainage, consider vibramoling fields across the installed drains this autumn.


The exact nitrogen programme will depend on the intensity of use and hence wear incurred. Given the soils have better moisture this year; vibramoling offers a means to provide a link between the surface and drains, whilst resulting in minimal damage.

June/July - Provisional Calcium ammonium nitrate @ 120kg/ha September/October- Provisional When adequate rains occur – Urea at 100kg/ha

Watson Reserve 4.8

This Park is also in very good order.


Fertiliser Weed control March (if adequate rain occurs) Urea at 100kg/ha

September/October (provisional) Check the weed content. To avoid damaging

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Fertiliser Weed control April/May (once Poa germinates) – Ammonium sulphate @ 100kg/ha

Couch/Kikuyu apply clopyralid or metsulfuron.

December – March When adequate rains occur – Urea at 100kg/ha

NZ Sports Turf Institute © NZ Sports Turf Institute If you wish to copy or reproduce any of the material in this document, please contact: NZ Sports Turf Institute T: 06 356 8090 F: 06 354 0081 E: [email protected]

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