When Mike Settle caught Covid-19, it wasn't only his health that suffered. While the athletic director recovered, the football field he manages for Lake Wales Highlanders Boys Football took a hit. The interim person was seemingly not too experienced in turf grass management.
"They basically killed my field. I've been trying to get it back since," says Settle.
While Settle, the sports field manager recovered from Covid-19, the football field was struggling with the heat. The interim field manager did not water enough. Settle said he had watered the field twice a week instead of twice daily in the 95 degree heat.
"All that is going to grow in heat like that is weeds," says Settle. "By the time I spray the weeds out, then we've got bare spots," he adds.
While awaiting the runners to start coming off the Celebration Bermuda, Settle was concerned the turf wasn't going to be game day ready. He used Penterra, the fastest-acting soil penetrant to assist with water getting deep into the soil profile, leading to plant and soil health. In the meantime though, he needed color.
"We have to do something, this grass looks terrible!" Settle exclaimed about a week before the season opener.
A local in Florida's small town of Lake Wales, Bobby Ellis, owner of Ellis Turf Services, knew just what to do.
"'They do it all the time at pro and college stadiums. Let's paint it,'" he recalls Ellis saying.
Settle considered getting a 5 gallon bucket of Premium. However, since Settle is planning to overseed later this fall, Geoponics, the makers of Endurant, recommended Endurant Flex.
Several days before the first football game of the season, Settle received a couple cases of Endurant Flex from Geoponics. He also received Endurant Spray n Stay, a binder to keep the colorant on the grass and off the uniforms.
"I call it 'sticker.' It's stuff to help it stick better and not get on the uniforms," Settle said of Spray n Stay. Learn more about Spray n Stay as extra binder here.
The high school hired Ellis Turf Services to apply the Endurant colorant mix to the field. On Tuesday night, the second pass was complete. These two to three days gave time for drying and for game-day turf grass appearance for Friday night's big game.
"It looked wonderful. Some of the other coaches asked, 'how did you get it so green in two days?'"
"The Flex saved me," exclaimed Settle.
"I'm going to continue using the Flex, I really like what it does," says Settle. "I'll use less overseed this year, too," he adds.
Settle plans to purchase a sprayer for the school system, as he intends to use Endurant in conjunction with overseed. This practice is called "hybrid overseed." (Learn more about the terms "liquid overseed" and "hybrid overseed" here.) Flex was recommended because it is particularly helpful for the transitions that occur when using overseed.
Endurant Flex is a combination of pigment and paint, as such it is referred to as a hybrid colorant.
The cost of the seed alone this year is double from about $1.35 per pound in previous years to $2.80 per pound this year, he says. Last year, the team spent about $6,500 on seed. This year it cost $13,500. Settle intends to use the seed on six of eight fields.
Flex will assist with maintaining color through the transitions to and from Celebration Bermuda and rye grass.
"I'll start overseeding soon and the Flex will help that," says Settle.
Settle usually overseeds over Thanksgiving break in November. However, due to this season's schedule including three away games, he says he will have more time to work on the field.
The Lake Wales Highlander High School Football team won their first home game of the season. It was a win for the field as well, with Flex as the MVP in field management.
"I love the product. I'll continue to buy it," says Settle. "If anything, I just wish I'd known about it earlier," he adds.
The Lake Wales Highlander main field takes a beating every week, says Settle. There are often 10 games within three days between JV, varsity and little league games.
Color transfer is often a concern in sports. While Endurant is made to adhere to turf grass for up to 3 months, much like grass stain, it can rub off on clothes during high friction sports. Sports field managers enjoy the power of Endurant Spray n Stay. By adding this extra binder to the turf colorant mix, the color adheres to the grass even more during high intensity and friction. This allows it to withstand that intense friction even more. Thus avoiding color staining on uniforms when using Endurant Spray n Stay.
Endurant turf colorants are made by Geoponics Corp. Endurant turf and landscape colorants allow for water and other chemical savings while still providing curb appeal, or TV-ready and tournament ready turf. There is a shade of green to coordinate with your grass species and desired effect. Learn more about choosing the best colorant for your grass type here.