Hello All,

I've been thinking about the grass runway proposed at the meeting. I'm concerned about the type of seed.
fescue is typically a clump grass and would not be conducive to models with landing gear. In fact, it may not be conducive to landings by sailplanes either. With all due respect, I'm concerned because there is no grass that grows without water. In my humble opinion, the best choice would be a perennial rye, if any grass was planted.
Can you kindly post what type (exactly) of grass seed has been proposed?
I still have connections at Wilbur Ellis, McGregor, Horizon, Raindrop Sprinklers, and several others that can help guide us to the best seed (that does not require regular water. Although, I don't believe a strain exists).

Also, my wife's father is a scientist for Seeds, Inc. and may have valuable input.

Thanks and see you at the field!

Regards,

Jared

Thanks for in put. We have already bought the seed, one of the members payed for out of own pocket. If it don't work it will give us a good start for a re-plant. Ask your friend for input please. Glade to see you at the meeting. Hope you will be there for many more. Robin Kirkpatrick P.S. The seed has not been planted yet so there is still time to make a change. Won't be planted till weather is better so we can get into field and not make a mess

Hi Jared I got the mix on the grass that will be used on the field if no other is found that is better. Goes like this, 49.36 hard fescue, 36.91 sheep fescue, 12.18 rueben canada bluegrass, 1.53 inert, .02 weeds. that is it for now. Robin

Thanks Robin,

I've asked for input from a friend who is an agronomist.

I'll update asap.

Hello everyone,

I spoke with the genetics guys at Seeds Inc. today. They suggested a bluegrass commonly referred to as "Thermal Bluegrass." It is a high end hybrid, a cross between Texas Bluegrass and other blue's.

My father in-law planted a section of his property and did not water it at all. It stayed almost green the entire summer.

Pro's:
Hybrid, cutting edge of technology
NOT clumpy, very silky
Extremely drought tolerant
very low maintenance

Con's:
Expensive
Hasn't been used much
A lot of data on the web, but hard to find any that wasn't biased.
No grass can thrive optimally without water

They also suggested that if the above fescue mix were to be used, it would need to be re-seeded on an annual basis.

Here are some links:
http://www.walterreev...
http://www.scottspros... (scott's move to high quality grass seed)
http://www.wilsonbros...

Regardless of seed used, it would have to be kept wet during germination. Thermal take 21 days of warm soil temp, I'm not sure on fescue but I seem to remember it being a bit less.

I spent 6 years planting residential/commercial grass areas and the most important factors I obsverved are:
1. Matching the proper type/quality of seed for desired outcome
2. TLC during germination (watering, adjusting moisture rates several times daily)
3. A proper maintenance schedule ie, fertilizer, fungicide, insecticide and mowing


-How big is the area proposed to be seeded?
-I can calculate water usage based on accurate dimensions.

-Depending on size of grass area, how about a catch basin that fills a holding tank and then is pumped through an underground irrigation system?

-Electricity availablity?

Regards,

Jared

Hi ALL the problem that we have is 1. no water, 2 no power, and last but not lest- no money So that is all we can do. With that I think we should give this mix a try. There is a water base under the land, hay and wild grass stays green for a long time in summer. See the photos of club field taken last fall. This will give you some insight as to what we are working with. Robin

Great!

There's certainly no information out there stating the chosen seed will not work. In fact, if we have a wet spring, a couple rainfalls in the summer and a wet fall, the field could be beautiful!
I hope all works out and let me know if you need extra labor.

I can't wait to meet everyone at the field once this crazy weather turns.

I'm putting a Formosa together this weekend and am going to install some skis. Just can't wait any longer.

I spun up my heli on Sunday (after 8 hours of prep) and 20 seconds into flight at mid rpm's a ball link came loose (I think) and the heli shattered to pieces. So now all I have to fly is my mini heli with a fixed pitch. But I have an extra rx/tx. Just perfect for the Foamie.

Regards,

Jared

Ok Robin here is the reply from the Superintendent at Circling Raven Golf Club. He's the best in the business:

Referring to the seed mix you purchased:

"Yo Jarhead, That is 3 of the varieties that are in our native mix on the course, the hard fescue is a pretty coarse grass, I’m assuming you’ll be mowing down on the runways. Depending on the diameter of your tires on the planes will determine whether they will roll across the grass surface. They make a mix called Scottish links which is a blend of fine fescues and creeping red fescues which would tolerate being mowed at 3” and is a finer texture which should work better for a runway. It is a low maintenance blend and needs little fertilizer."

Brian


Based on Brains opinion, sounds like the seed mix will work just fine, especially for gliders! Might create a softer landing. Glad I asked for a second opinion.

Regards,

Jared

I just spent half an hour typing a message regarding the issue of planting grass at the field. I explained my credentials, my experience, my ties with people in the industry, etc.
Then I hit a wrong button and the post disappeared. I was probably more political, but time is money and I need more of the latter to reach my life goals, so here it is in the raw. I don't have time to rethink and retype my thoughts so I'll sum everything I wanted to say in a few sentences:

-The links of the pics I posted are accurate. the bluegrass link was a Joke. I was trying to make light of the fact if you don't mow it, it will turn to seed and re-plant itself. I didn't mean to be misleading.
-If you doubt my credentials/knowledge, kindly ask for a resume and I will forward including references.
-If you doubt my motives, kindly call/email and we can have lunch together and we can get to know each other.
-If you think I'm stirring the pot for political reasons, I'm not.

My Motives include (but not limited to):
-Having fun, sharing info, meeting new people, making friends, being the best we can be.
-Providing the best facility we can provide, whether it includes grass for the sail planes or not. I've been cooth and sensitive in each and every one of my posts, but, bottom line IS no grass will be conducive to models with landing gear without regular water. I didn't make up this fact, nature did.

I received my IEQF membership card today, thank you! also have an AMA number.
My vote is no grass on electric runway, plant it on glider launch area
Kind Regards,

Jared Jones
jmjones12@comcast.net
509-336-9987