New field needs grass

New field needs grass
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New field needs grass - 5/12/2008 10:11:12 PM

Posts: 294
Joined: 12/30/2006
From: Scranton, KS, USA
Status: offline

I have an area approximately 200 x 800 feet that I am planning for an airfield at home. At this time its all native eastern kansas grass. It cuts well, and grows fast, but its a little sparse I think to make a good strip. Ive been toying with either fesque of bluegrass as a supplement to the runway and taxiways, but Im not really a gras kinda guy. Ive searched the forums a LOT, but have found no conversations in the past about this. Anyone have any good thoughts?

RE: New field needs grass - 5/12/2008 11:03:01 PM

Posts: 8
Joined: 8/4/2006
From: Melbourne, AUSTRALIA
Status: offline

Go find a nearby paper-mill; they have some conveyer belts that need replacing every so often. Those belts are made out of strong fibre / plastic, are about 15’ wide and up to 150’ long, and make an excellent choice.

It will take some work to put them on, but they are high UV rated and can last up to 4 years.

Good luck
Alex

(in reply to smooreace)

RE: New field needs grass - 5/12/2008 11:40:31 PM

Posts: 294
Joined: 12/30/2006
From: Scranton, KS, USA
Status: offline

Interesting idea, I never would have thought of that. I have 2 emails out to somewhat local mills. Thanks for the idea

(in reply to alex4orly)

RE: New field needs grass - 5/13/2008 10:40:06 AM

w5kfg

Posts: 325
Joined: 5/6/2003
From: Purvis, MS, USA
Status: offline

You might try this:
Check your local high schools that have gone to Astro turf. Our high school used to have large roll out fiber mats for the side lines before going to Astro turf.

Also here: http://covermaster.com.ismmedia.com/ISM3/std-content/repos/Top/Downloads/Sideline%20Covers%20Lit.pdf
Bill B

(in reply to smooreace)

RE: New field needs grass - 5/25/2008 3:06:09 PM

Posts: 47
Joined: 6/12/2005
From: BELLINGHAM, WA, USA
Status: offline

Here's another idea. About ten years ago, I worked as a maintenance person at a local mall. We had a huge wind storm, and what happened is that the roofing at one end of a store was pulled away. This stuff was about 1/4" thick, white in color and of course UV resistent. Came in approx.
12 or 15 foot wide strips and many feet long. The roof material had to be replaced with new, so, many,many feet of this stuff went to the dump! At that time I was not living on my 5 acres, or I would have picked up on that.

Since this is summer, there may me commerical buildings getting new roofs applied during the summer months, call around different roofing companies and see what they have on contracts etc. Good luck

(in reply to w5kfg)

RE: New field needs grass - 5/25/2008 3:24:40 PM

Posts: 6406
Joined: 3/20/2002
From: Arvada, CO, USA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: smooreace

I have an area approximately 200 x 800 feet that I am planning for an airfield at home. At this time its all native eastern kansas grass. It cuts well, and grows fast, but its a little sparse I think to make a good strip. Ive been toying with either fesque of bluegrass as a supplement to the runway and taxiways, but Im not really a gras kinda guy. Ive searched the forums a LOT, but have found no conversations in the past about this. Anyone have any good thoughts?

I grew up in the Kansas City area. There's no reason why you can't have a natural grass runway. You got plenty of rain and humidity to grow an awesome grass runway.

Kentucky Blue Grass and Red Fescue will grow like nuts. Bermuda grass will grow thick and plush like a carpet, but it takes time to grow in. Bermuda will overtake all the other grass over time. It's drought resistant and like to be cut no longer than about 2"

If you can get bermuda plugs, just scatter them around in your bare spots and relax. In 2 or 3 years the whole runway will be bermuda grass.

I'm jealous. In Colorado, we can't grow a grass runway to save our lives. I think the club spent $3000 last year on water and seed. All we got is prarie dog holes.

They eat grass. It's pointless.

I've been tempted to move back to the midwest just to be able to fly off grass and enjoy the denser air. But those Kansas winters and that summer humidity keeps me away.

_____________________________

Airplanes have expiration dates. It''s just not printed anywhere on them.
I''m not really an airplane pilot; but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

(in reply to smooreace)

RE: New field needs grass - 5/25/2008 10:02:08 PM

Posts: 48
Joined: 10/30/2005
From: Huntsville, TX, USA
Status: offline

I too have a natural grass runway. Mine started out as a rough Texas cow pasture. I just kept mowing it smooth and pretty quickly the coarse grass filled in the bare spots and turned green once the sunlight could get to it. Now it's as smooth as a baby's rear. All this in about two years. I would just use some patience and mow a lot and you should not need to purchase a thing. It will get there on it's own.

(in reply to smooreace)

RE: New field needs grass - 5/25/2008 11:18:58 PM

Posts: 294
Joined: 12/30/2006
From: Scranton, KS, USA
Status: offline

I did look at Bermuda grass... its really best if its kept under an inch long, and that requires special moving equipment. Im not at all opposed to having a golf course quality strip by any means, but I think its a little const inefective. The prairy grass that is gowing now is pretty bad. even at best it only puts out maybe 6 sprouts per sq 2". Ive got it pretty smooth, my septic system leach lones are under it, so it stays fairly moist. I was thinking of supplementing it with about 75 lbs of bluegrass, or tall fesque, but both are taller grasses, and have there drawbacks.

Thanks everyone for the advice... I have feelers out for roofing and convayor belts. Both great ideas

(in reply to flyingvranch)

RE: New field needs grass - 6/1/2008 5:25:52 PM

JimO

Posts: 474
Joined: 5/21/2002
From: Ringoes, NJ, USA
Status: offline

Contact your local Ag Agent and they can be a wealth of info on what grows best for what you are trying to accomplish. There are a number of new hybrid rye grasses that should fill your needs. I am using a blend mixed for the New Jersey area for my back lawn. (Also runway, don't tell the miss'es) and it is nice and thick. Overseed this spring.

JimO

(in reply to smooreace)

RE: New field needs grass - 6/3/2008 5:22:10 PM

BillS

Posts: 2992
Joined: 9/6/2004
From: Greensboro, NC, USA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: flyingvranch

I too have a natural grass runway. Mine started out as a rough Texas cow pasture. I just kept mowing it smooth and pretty quickly the coarse grass filled in the bare spots and turned green once the sunlight could get to it. Now it's as smooth as a baby's rear. All this in about two years. I would just use some patience and mow a lot and you should not need to purchase a thing. It will get there on it's own.

My experience has been similar. Mow close and the grass will fill in although it takes about a year. After flying I have moved the runway three times. Seed and fertilizer probably helps but I haven't used any. However this year I intend to try Bermuda on a small area.

Bill

(in reply to flyingvranch)

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