Tool Shed: Custodial and Grounds

Custodial and Grounds

A well-trained custodial and grounds crew knows what to do, why they are doing it, and how best to take care of park maintenance. This area contains resources applicable to staff organization, health and safety, and efficient logistical approaches to improve custodial and grounds operations.

Efficient and economical mowing

Boyd Montgomery, CSFM

For the turf industry, mowing equipment has evolved over the years as regulations and innovation continue to change the paradigm.Grounds professionals continue to seek out ways to control budgets while still trying to deliver high quality results.

Why Aerification is Important

Boyd Montgomery, CSFM

Aerification is one of the most important cultural practices turf professionals can do to ensure athletic fields are safe and healthy.

Disinfection of Hot Tubs Contaminated with Legionella

Center for Disease Control

CDC-recommended best practices for cleaning contaminated hot tubs and spas

Mowing to Meadows

Greentreks

"Many open spaces, including municipal parks, are covered by groomed lawn. Most people think these mown areas are ""green and tidy."" But, in reality, they often act like parking lots. The underlying soil is so compacted that rain runs off almost as though the grass was paved.Letting mown areas become natural meadows returns them to functional parts of the water system. These meadows prevent flooding, create habitat, and are beautiful to behold."

Mowing Lawns: Use the 1/3 Rule

KSREVideos

"By following the one-third rule, you'll reduce stress on your grass and promote lateral growth for a lush, green lawn. And as an added bonus, you can reduce watering and fertilizing your lawn by recycling the grass clippings. ""Grasscycling"" saves time and money, and helps the environment."

Turfgrass Identification

Ohio State Sports Turf Management

This video describes the process for identifying turf grass by look and feel.

Doing More with Less in Sports Turf Management

Virginia Tech

Presenter Mike Skelton - valuable tools and equipment essential to athletic turf management

Sports Turf Management - Topdressing

Ohio State Sports Turf Management

This video is an instructional overview of topdressing athletic turf.

Sports Turf Cultural Practices Aeration

Jonathan Knowles

This video is an instructional overview of the benefits, process, and tools used in aeration.

Integrated Pest Management for Turfgrass

Oregon State University Extension Service

This video highlights the five cultural practices needed for proper integrated pest management in turfgrass: (1) mowing, (2) fertilization, (3) irrigation, (4) cultivation, and (5) pesticide selection and use.

Small Engine Repair - Basic Tools

Eliminator Performance

This video outlines entry level tools you'll need for basic small engine repair.

How To Rebuild A Carburetor On A ChainSaw, WeedEater, Etc.

Steve's Small Engine Saloon

Partial rebuild on a cube type carb. Repairing the most common problems. This video applies to most 2-stroke carbs. Including Weedeaters, chainsaws, blowers, hedge trimmers, grass trimmers, by Stihl, Husky, Husqvarna, Echo and more. How To Rebuild a Carburetor on a Chainsaw, Weedeater Etc.

Correct Way To Sharpen A Chainsaw

Steve's Small Engine Saloon

How to hand sharpen a power saw chain. Extremely thorough video on the sharpening process. Lots of tips.

Proper Way To Sharpen And Balance A Lawn Mower Blade

Steve's Small Engine Saloon

How to sharpen a walk behind mower blade and balance it as well.

Nutrient Management for Turf

UMass Extension

Through thoughtful nutrient management planning and the implementation of appropriate best management practices (BMPs), agricultural producers, land and property managers and others can manage farming operations and the properties under their care profitably and with protection of natural resources, particularly water, as a priority.