Preparation and Management

The site mowed and sprayed, 2010	The turf demonstration site sits within a vacant field just north of the Florin Creek Recreation Center. We began in spring 2010 by mowing and then spraying Roundup to prevent weed seeds from maturing. Virtually no weeds went to seed during all of 2010, but that didn't stop years of weed seeds from germinating after planting.
Cort and Ria installing the vole fencing	In summer 2010 we started by constructing the fence and included 2-ft. tall, 1/4 in. mesh wire fencing half above and half below ground around the fence to keep out voles.
Ria making valve electrical connections	Then we installed the fairly complex irrigation system. There are 5 valves - three for the different irrigation rates on the tall fescue, UC Verde buffalograss, and Carex plots, one for the native turf plots, and one for the meadow. A water meter was installed on the high irrigation valve. We are using Hunter MP1000 rotator nozzles on 6" pop-up heads, one on each corner of each of the plots. We'll conduct a "can test" to determine irrigation output and uniformity.

Trenches dug for pipes

Hunter MP 1000 rotator nozzle

Rototilling and adding compost

We watered thoroughly, then rototilled in several passes to 6+ in. deep, then we added 2 inches of OMRI compost (2.3% N) from Lopez Ag Service (Florin Rd.). Then we rototilled again, created the beds, and used a roller to compress the soil.

After seeding and planting plugs, we added 1/4 in. thick layer of compressed compost blend (in bags) and watered regularly.

Once the irrigation treatments begin, we will use ETo data to determine irrigation duration and frequency for the tall fescue, UC Verde, and Carex. Irrigation levels will be full (80% ET), 3/4 (60% ET), and half (40% ET). For the deficit irrigation valves, within reason we plan to use similar duration, but reduce the frequency to obtain the desired amounts. If tall fescue is near death at 40%, we may increase the low rate to 50%.

Dry soil cracking, feather meal applied

The soil at the site is clay loam, with cemented hardpan at 2 ft. depth. The soil has high shrink-swell potential (cracks when dry) and permeability is slow. Nitrogen content in the soil is low.

We are managing the plots organically, using feather meal (12-0-0) and Nutri-Rich (pelleted chicken manure, 4-3-3) to fertilize. We have added a total of 3 lbs. of actual N/1,000 sq. ft. so far in 2011 - more than normal by early May, but release of organic N forms is slow and we're trying to correct for low soil N.

The pellets get caught in the tall fescue grass but they are slowly disintegrating. We will be comparing these with Phyta-Boost Plant Food (soybean meal, 7-1-2).

We installed perforated drain tubing 1 ft. deep under both east-west paths, which drain toward the barely lower area to the west.

Drain pipe installed