​First, preparation is key. The right choice of grass makes all the difference. For the climate in both Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and other parts of south Louisiana, a hybrid Bermuda grass can take a lot of damage and regrow in a matter of days.  Soil composition which allows easy movement of water, air, and roots will shorten recovery times after field use.

Off season core aeration and top dressing keep the field healthy during use later in the year. Actively reducing soil compaction in the off season allows for some great root development. Top dressing the soil will even out the low spots the field created by players repeated use during football season.

Next is prevention. Regular overseeding during the entire season keeps a continuous supply of new grass to replace the damaged areas. The players cleats help to sow the new seeds. The new grass seeds get plenty of nutrition and sunlight on a low cut field and start growing quickly.

Irrigation lets us fill in mother nature’s gaps. Sunlight and water go a long way in promoting growth for grass. Complete, consistent coverage for the playing field is vital. This is paired with great subsurface drainage to get the roots enough water, but not too much water.

Fertilization gives stressed grass what it needs to grow. Maintaining an accurate fertilization program keeps the grass growing and green. With the right fertilizer, irrigation and sunlight, hybrid Bermuda grass is a growth monster. Bare areas will be covered with grass in a weeks time.

The last tool is replacement. Replacing is usually the most expensive option, but is necessary at times. This typically means installing new sod to a very damaged area right after a game and nursing it’s root growth. If you have a very rough area of grass, focus on the repairs when there is an off week or an away game. The extra week of care will really show on the next home game.

Continuous wet weather leads to the right conditions for Entomosporium leaf spot to develop on your Indian Hawthorne bushes. Look for small, reddish-purple dots on new leaves that seem to die in the center of the spots. Yellow outlines will form on the outline of the spots. Later you will see the leaves turning red and falling off. This leaves your Indian Hawthorne with a lot less leaves and looking really unhealthy.

This fungus lives on the leaves that are infected and also on the surface of the ground. If you catch it early, remove the infected leaves. Like most fungi, removing select branches and allowing more airflow will let the plant dry quicker. This creates a less pleasant place for the fungus. Also remove the old leaves that have fallen to the ground. 

Fungicides will help in controlling Entomosporium leaf spot. Use it about every two weeks when the weather keeps the area wet and the temperature is not hot enough to dry out the plant leaves quickly. Spring and Fall are prime time for this fungus to develop. If you continue to have problems with this disease year after year, consider replacing your plants with a different species.