The vendor is required to provide to establish a comprehensive, year-round turf maintenance program for the athletic fields at county park.
- The goal is to maintain safe, healthy, and visually appealing playing surfaces that support athletic and recreational use throughout the year.
- Early spring (February – March)
• Apply a blanket pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicide to all turf areas to eliminate winter weeds and prevent the emergence of spring weeds such as crabgrass and goose grass.
• Apply a potassium-based fertilizer to enhance disease and stress resistance and improve root development.
• Conduct a university soil analysis to evaluate PH levels and nutrient content.
• Use results to adjust and develop a targeted fertility program.
- Late spring (April – May)
• Apply pre-emergent and post-emergent weed control to address late-season broadleaf weeds and crabgrass.
• Apply blanket insecticide treatment (top choice or equivalent) to control fire ants and mole crickets.
• Apply a balanced fertilizer to support uniform turf color during spring green-up.
- Early summer (June)
• Apply a specially formulated fertilizer to promote aggressive turf growth, strong color, and vigor during peak growing conditions.
• Apply selective herbicides to treat difficult weeds such as nutsedge and goose grass.
- Summer (July – August)
• Apply mid-summer fertilizer containing nutrients designed to support turf during regional drought conditions.
• Perform spot treatments for weeds as needed throughout turf areas.
• Apply a second blanket insecticide application to control fire ants.
- Early fall (September)
• Apply fertilizers and bio-stimulants to support turf health and prepare for dormancy and seasonal traffic.
• Apply pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicide treatments to control late-season broadleaf and emerging winter weeds.
• Apply surface insect control for fire ants, if required.
- Fall (October – November)
• Apply a blanket fall pre-emergent herbicide to prevent winter weeds and post-emergent herbicide to control existing weeds.
• Apply a potassium-based fertilizer to strengthen turf for winter dormancy and stress resistance.
- Aeration and top dressing
• Perform core aeration of athletic fields at least twice annually — once in early spring/summer and once in late summer — to improve soil compaction and enhance turf density.
• Top-dress with 150 tons of specification-grade washed sand per application, twice annually, for leveling and improved playing surface conditions.