Stoughton Racetrack Park Project
Objective
The objective of this project is to compare the economics, environmental impact quotient, and turfgrass aesthetics as a result of four turfgrass management strategies at Racetrack Park in Stoughton, WI over a two year period.
Field Conditions
Assessments of the weeds present were made on 5/20/15 using the grid intersection method where an 81-point grid was placed on random locations on each field and the plant immediately below each of the 81 intersections was recorded. From this information the percentage of weeds and grass was calculated. For example if dandelions were found under 9 of the 81 intersections, we estimate the dandelions to cover 11% of the area. We made six grid counts (81 intersections each) in each of the four fields for a total of 486 intersections per field.
- Field 1 (Organic site) was composed of 80% desirable turf, and 20% weeds. Clover accounted for half of the weeds present, with broadleaf plantain and dandelion representing approximately 25% each.
- Field 2 (Integrated Turfgrass Management site) was found to be much weedier than field 1, with only 32% desirable turf and 68% weeds. Clover made up over 90% of the weeds on Field 2
- Field 3 (City of Stoughton site) was quite similar to Field 2 with 35% desirable turf and 65% weeds. The dominant weed species was clover (88%).
- Field 4 (Mowing Only site) was found to be similar to field 1, with 92% desirable turf and only 8% weeds. Dandelion was the dominant species of weed on field 1 (35%) with clover, plantain, grassy weeds, and other assorted broadleaf weeds ranging from 10-25% each.
Application of Management Strategies and Data Collection
On June 4th, 2015 fertilizers and herbicides listed in the table below were applied to fields 1 and 2. University of Wisconsin staff made the applications to the organic strategy (field 1), and WeedMan made the applications to field 2. The City of Stoughton program was applied on June 29, 2015 by TruGreen.
Applications are intended to be made only once per year, consistent with the capabilities and budget of the City of Stoughton’s budget for parks. However, we are open to making additional demonstration applications in small areas during the demonstration period (similar to the Fiesta applied in left field of Field 1) should the opportunity or need arise.
We plan to collect data on turfgrass quality and make weed assessments in July and September 2015, and again in spring, summer, and fall in 2016. In winter 2016 a summary report will be created and a decision on whether or not to continue, modify, or cease the demonstration.
| Field # | Management Strategy | Fertilization | Herbicide | EIQ | Annual Cost per Acre |
| 1 | Organic | Chick Magic Organic Fertilizer (5-3-0)
1.6 lbs N/1000 sq. ft 40% soluble nitrogen 60% slow release nitrogen |
Fiesta* | NA | TBD |
| 2 | Integrated Turfgrass Management | Spread-It and Forget-It Fertilizer (35-0-10)
1.5 lbs N/1000 sq. ft. 20% soluble nitrogen 80% slow release nitrogen |
Confront (0.67 fl oz/1000 sq. ft) |
10.6 | TBD |
| 3 | City of Stoughton | 25-0-5 Fertilizer
0.75 lbs N/1000 sq. ft. |
TruPower 3 (1.15 fl oz/1000 sq. ft) |
23.9
|
TBD |
| 4 | Mowing Only | None | None | 0 | 0 |
* applied only in left field 30 feet from foul line because of cost constraints (Fiesta costs about $1000/acre). Fiesta does not have an EIQ rating, and is composed of chelated iron (Fe-HEDTA). Grasses are tolerant of high rates of iron while many broadleaf plants are not.
Click here to view photos of the fields.
Collaborators/Supporters
- WeedMan donated their equipment and labor to make the fertilizer and herbicide applications to field 2.
- Chick Magic donated the fertilizer used on field 1.
- Dow Agrosciences donated the Confront herbicide for field 2.