Early Spring Field Prep - How to get on your field ASAP

Preparing Your Field for Spring: Best Practices for a Safe and Playable Surface

As the season approaches in northern climates, coaches and players are eager to move practices outdoors. While the excitement is understandable, fields don’t always thaw and dry out as quickly as we’d like. Rushing the process can lead to long-term damage, delaying the quality of play throughout the season.

To help you transition onto your field as quickly and safely as possible, here are some key guidelines to follow:

Understanding Field Conditions

• Avoid playing on frost-covered grass. Walking or playing on frosty turf can cause significant damage.
• Dormant grass is okay to use. However, monitor conditions closely to avoid excessive wear.
• Do not “open up” your field to dry it out. Exposing the surface prematurely can worsen conditions.
• Most moisture rises from below, not from the surface. Drying the top layer won’t fix deeper moisture issues.

Best Practices for Drying and Firming Up Your Field

• Be patient. Attempting to force the field to dry will only cause more problems.
• Use light, manual tools to aid drying. If the sun is out, lightly hand-walk a nail drag, lute rake, or landscape rake across the field at no more than ¼-inch depth.
• Avoid deeper dragging—this will soften the field and extend recovery time.
  Firm up the surface as much as possible before use. A stable, compact surface ensures safer and more consistent play.
  Assess surface stability before walking or using equipment.**
• If your steps leave deep footprints, the field is too soft.
• If tires leave tracks or sink in, hold off on using heavy equipment.
• Allow the field to dry naturally. Repeated dragging, followed by additional drying time, is the most effective method.
• Once the surface is dry, roll the field to improve firmness. Ensure the material is fully dry to prevent it from sticking to the roller drums.

By taking the time to properly dry and firm up your field, you'll create a safer and more durable playing surface. Following these steps now will help ensure better conditions throughout the season!