Compaction stresses plants because air and water are actually “squeezed” from the soil.   Microbial and other naturally occurring biological and chemical activities which depend on air and water become severely restricted or totally cease and as with all living things, die.

FACT: Compacted soil is usually the most unrecognized and improperly addressed issue leading to failed, un-maintainable fields.  Activity on wet fields compounds the problem ten-fold.

Proper aeration that addresses the hard pan existing in your field is the right solution.  We call this “targeted aeration."  It not only loosens the soil but opens a path for air and water to flow through the ground.  All our decompaction methods allow playable fields immediately and not only provide a healthier more robust turf but also improved drainage and safety.

DEEP DECOMPACTION AND DRAINAGE - OUR SIGNATURE SERVICE!

If severe deep compaction is indicated by test results, we may recommend the most recently introduced approach which we refer to as MicroTrenching or VHLA (Vertical-Horizontal Linear Aeration).  VHLA uses long, curve, wedge shaped knives that alternately slice through the soil every 10" creating both a vertical and horizontal shattering of the entire soil profile to a penetrable depth of up to 10”.  The wedge shaped knives create a “wave type” action as they sequentially rotate upward out of the soil actually lifting the soil ½:- ¾" . Compression plates prevent excess vertical lifting to prevent surface disruption. This creates 1” wide 10" deep slits, 10" apart, where sand, or other drainage material, or a combination of amendments, are injected by vibrator action to create surface and sub-surface drainage channels. This technique is the most complete method of aeration available for fields giving you a healthier field more capable of receiving water, air, and nutrients.  See DRAINAGE below for more details.

DEEP TINE DECOMPACTION – Weidenmann Terra Spike

Deep, but less severe compaction may indicate use for the solid tine system that creates a “heaving” or “kicking action” and soil fracturing effect as the tines complete their downward-penetrating movement. This system, with a penetrable depth up to 10”, leaves little disruption to the turf surface and due to the heaving action prevents forming a hardpan layer at the bottom of the stroke which can be created by older type machines that simply punch holes. This method is a faster and less expensive method of opening up a sports field allowing several fields to be completed within a day.

MEDIUM DEPTH DECOMPACTION - Aerway Sportstine

A third choice may be a medium to deep tine machine. Our machine, equipped with sportstines, has a 6” penetrable depth, which due to the blade design, slightly lifts and shatters the soil between blades as they rotate to the top position.  This machine, when equipped with sporttines, is considered the work horse for many turf conditions since it can be used as frequently as desired, at virtually any time, even just before a game, since surface disruption is minimal and no plugs are pulled. Because the unit is so versatile, easy to use, and effective, we offer it to clients as either a specialized maintenance service that we perform, or as an item we sell.  Call for a price quote.

SHALLOW OR ROUTINE DECOMPACTION – Aero-Vator

If testing demonstrates that compaction is limited to the upper 4”, or customer requirements are for surface tension relief or over seeding is required, we also provide a highly effective vibrating spike system that literally shatters and loosens the soil down to approximately 4".  Oscillation of the tines is controllable providing any amount of desired fracturing of the upper root zone.  This is a superb approach for a routine aeration program as opposed to just punching holes or pulling cores which may need to be cleaned up.  For over-seeding, our Aero-Vator with our seeder attachment, will simultaneously decompact the soil, place the seed in a random “carpet-like” pattern, and a finish roller will then press the seed in for optimal seed-to-soil contact-ALL IN ONE PASS.

DRAINAGE

Solutions to drainage issues can be your biggest challenge.  We have years of experience along with the knowledge and equipment to do the job precisely for you. Let us come out, evaluate your true problem, and discuss your options.

We test the soil profile to determine where the problem is.  We evaluate the slope of the field to see if you have a grading issue. You may just require localized top dressing, aerification, or the addition of one of our two affordable and effective drainage systems: MicroTrench or the full Performance Drain Quick (PDQ). Both these systems keep your fields playable, even if done mid-season.

No matter what your problem is we can support you in developing a long term solution for your field. We can also work with you to develop a sound preventative maintenance program

DRAINAGE SYSTEMS – with De-compaction and Aeration

“Performance's PDQ and MicroTrench Systems are the most unique, cost effective, fastest and most beneficial methods for adding surface/sub-surface drainage, while also decompacting and aerating, all in one.   It’s our signature service!”

Roger Williams, C.O.O. Performance Sports Fields Inc.

Performance's “MicroTrench” Drainage System

This is a new technological approach to providing drainage to NEW or EXISTING sports fields or golf courses.   It is the lowest cost, most beneficial, least disruptive, quickest approach.

Stated simply, 1" wide trenches, spaced 10" apart at a maximum penetrable depth of 10” are cut, usually in a herring bone pattern over the entire field.   These slits are simultaneously vibrator injected with drainage sand.   The entire field is Decompacted and Aerated vertically, horizontally, and laterally, and Surface Drained, all in one.

Not only does this system provide surface and subsurface drainage, it also provides a penetrable path for water to pull air and nutrients deep into the root zone. This critical process reoccurs each time it rains or with each irrigation cycle. The advantages of this system can be applicable to new or even existing fields that already have sub-surface drainage lines installed, that are typically 15' apart and 18"-24" deep which may be clogged or just not performing as well as they should. Surface drainage solves many unrecognizable problems.

Performance's PDQ System

This specialized system is for increased drainage or if sideline slope is not sufficient for positive drainage off the field.   We cut trenches perpendicular to the sand slits, at intervals as close as 4' apart. We put a drainage line in the bottom of this trench and fill it with drainage sand.  These trenches intersect the micro-trenches and greatly accelerate drainage of water off of the field. We recommend this system for prominent fields that must be playable immediately after a 2" rain.

IRRIGATION

We specialize in sports field irrigation, both small and large pipe, as well as 2-Wire and remote control systems.  We construct single field installations as well as multi-acre complexes.   We work with Hunter, Rainbird, Toro, and others to install diagnoses and repair the right system for you. Your fields deserve Performance Irrigation.

TOP DRESSING AND MATERIAL DELIVERY SERVICE

Top Dressing will help you smooth the field, protect turf grass crowns, achieve exceptional turf grass canopy, and prolong playability by continually re-establishing the crown of the field. Our unit is a low impact, multifunctional workhorse that is designed to keep your cost as low as possible while at the same time reduce the expensive risks of having a field “in need of attention.”  No longer a luxury, top-dressing is an “annual must-do” for the rigors of today’s over-used sports fields.

This is one of the most important tools in our maintenance fleet. Our unit’s low impact, four wheel walking beam suspension reduces compaction on your fields while it quickly showers your field with an even layer of material, from a dusting as light as 1/64” up to a substantial 2” field renovating lift.  So when you desire a top-dressing service, demand “Performance” and have the job done right.

FERTILIZER AND MINERAL PROGRAM - YOUR TURF CAN BE NO BETTER THAN THE ROOT ZONE IT IS GROWN IN!

Regardless of the amount of dollars spent on the best seed and expensive fertilizer or on cultural practices, sports fields will be no better than the soil they are grown upon. That is why it is imperative that the root zone be recognized as the most important item in any field project. It must be addressed first and always fully maintained if expected to support sports activity.

Root Growth Bacteria + Mychrrhizea=Long Term Sustainable Fields

We use and strongly endorse a product that is inexpensive and so fundamental to the extreme growth of grass roots that we recommend it for every field.  It both supports and supplements nature by adding back into the soil a complex blend of naturally occurring micro-organisms (helpful bacteria) and Mycorrhizea (fungi), all of which thrive in healthy native soil but are killed by compaction.  Compacted soil, along with petro-chemicals and excessive fertilizers, have diminished or eliminated good bacteria in most sports field soils.  Together, this concentrate of cultured, natural bacteria and Mycorrhizea, form a symbiotic relationship with turf by colonizing on the hair like roots, enhancing the biological activity of existing soil neutrients and fertilizer and decaying organic matter, thereby significantly increasing root mass. The result is more robust, drought and disease resistant turf that will survive more stress and requires less fertilizer inputs and less irrigation due to the enhanced root system.  

We will perform our affordable, comprehensive soil test to determine what your fields already have available to the turf plant and what they need to maximize strong roots, healthy canopy, and to reduce the tendency of your fields to become compacted.  We will then custom blend your fertilizer, mineral and microbial program specifically for the needs of your fields. Call us today.