Seattle University is changing from using solid organic fertilizer to a mixture of synthetic and compost tea fertilizers to provide healthier athletic fields. The move coincides with the institution’s joining the Division 1 ranks. “We are shifting away from solid organic fertilizer in order to improve field maintenance while continuing to retain sustainability with a partial organic approach,” Michael Kerns, assistant vice president for the facilities, told Green Markets.
“Utilizing a strong mix of solid organic fertilizer created a buildup of organic material on the top two-inch layer, preventing water from draining into the sand drain system,” said Kerns. “We are changing the turf while changing to synthetic fertilizer with compost tea, eliminating this.” Kerns said that in addition to the major drainage problems, the playing fields were in bad condition. Grounds officials agree with the change because they want to provide the highest quality playing fields possible.
Along with the announcement from the athletic department that the 2009-2010 school year would be the first full year of Division I sports competition, multiple consulting firms were called in to assess whether synthetic fertilizer was a superior choice to organics. Janice Murphy, integrated pest management coordinator, told the local press that pressures from the Division I change and requests from the various coaching staffs, in addition to consultants’ recommendations, resulted in the change. One of the grounds gardeners, Joshua Green, said synthetic fertilizer is the norm and “using something outside of that norm just doesn’t seem to be acceptable.” Grounds and Landscape Manager Shannon Britton remarked, “It’s a valid concern, because the athletic department wants to play at a higher level and have their field look like it’s at that higher level.”
Britton, Murphy, and Green, along with other grounds personnel, worked with consultants to perform soil tests and irrigation research on the fields’ turf grass to reassess the proper amount of synthetic fertilizer to use during each season. Seattle University plans to restore and resurface two fields at an estimated cost of between $300,000 to $500,000 to return satisfactory drainage capability to the athletic fields.