Groundbreaking” Expertise for Healthier Turf
A primary key to growing healthy turfgrass is providing the proper soil conditions that allow for a strong root system, which in turn encourages dense turf growth and resistance to weeds, drought, heat and cold. Unfortunately, on trafficked sites such as golf courses, athletic fields and public/commercial properties, soil can become hard and compacted, impeding root growth, hampering drainage and reducing the movement of water, nutrients and air to turf roots. We specialize in “breaking up the ground” and opening up the soil profile with a variety of aeration services for golf courses, athletic fields and large commercial properties. We also offer topdressing, dethatching, slit drainage, overseeding and inter-seeding. Please click on any of the services below for more information and to find the one that best suits your needs. We look forward to serving you!
BLECAVATOR RENOVATION AND GROUND PREPARATION
The BLECavator can be used for golf course tee renovation, as well as sports-field renovation and construction, and to repair roughs and the edges of fairways where rocks and roots have created an unslightly mess. This unique machine carries out five operations in one pass —
- Cultivates to a depth of up to 8”.
- Pulverizes the soil into a fine tilth.
- Removes rocks, overgrowth and debris from the surface.
- Rakes and levels in one pass.
- Finish-rolls, leaving a firm surface.
For pricing, call us at (800) 888-2493.
DEEP-CORE AERATION
Deep-core aeration for golf fairways, greens and tees, as well as sports fields, using the Soil Reliever. Deep-core aeration removes cores of material from deep in the soil profile, opening up the soil to relieve compaction, enhance drainage and improve the movement of water, nutrients and air to the turf roots. Many turf managers follow core aeration with topdressing of sand or compost to improve the soil structure.
Coring Tine Sizes:
3/4″ core diameter X up to 8” deep
1” core diameter X up to 8” deep
Special 3/4″ core diameter X up to 8” deep, with a 1/2″ shank, for a 3” X 3” hole pattern, using the Soil Reliever.
Pricing is based on the hole pattern desired and the type and amount of work done. For pricing, call us at (800) 888-2493.
I would like to take the time to once again thank you for your services. With the temperatures in the mid-twenties on the day we were scheduled to aerate, I was not sure if we were going to be able to go. Bob hung in with us till we were able to get started around 10:30. I really appreciate the fact that Harmon Turf Services was there until the job was finished. But to tell you the truth, I would not expect anything less from Harmon, which has given me outstanding service for over 10 years. We are lucky to be able to close the course for a day for aeration, and it is comforting to know that I can depend on you to help us get the job done. I am looking forward to working with you again in September.
DEEP-TINE AERATION
For golf fairways, greens and tees, as well as sports fields, deep-tine aeration has been proven effective for compaction relief and promoting root growth. On large areas, such as fairways, we can bring up to four machines to get the job done quickly with minimum play disturbance.
Solid tines up to 12” deep
Most popular tines — 1/2″ X 12” and 3/4″ X 12”
Pricing is based on the hole pattern desired and the type and amount of work done. For pricing, call us at (800) 888-2493.
We have been using Harmon Turf Services for our deep-tine aerification at the Golden Eagle golf course for over ten years. During this time, we have never had one bad experience with their company. They work with you on scheduling, show up when they are supposed to, are courteous to golfers and do a clean, neat job. Rob King is always friendly, does exactly what you want and doesn’t stop until the job is complete. I highly recommend Harmon Turf Services.
We have had our greens deep-tined by Harmon Turf for the last two years and have really seen an improvement in the perk rate and root depth. It has become a very useful tool we will continue to use in our greens maintenance program for years to come.
SHALLOW-CORE FAIRWAY AERATION
We perform shallow-core aeration on fairways using four machines. We can aerate 10 to 15 acres per day. Several hole patterns are available; the 2” X 2” pattern and the 2” X 4” pattern are the most popular.
For pricing, call us at (800) 888-2493.
I just wanted to write to thank you and your staff for forging such a great relationship, between my club and your company, over the past ten years. The shallow-core aeration, deep-tine aeration, and overseeding you do always runs very smoothly and comes out better than expected. The timely and efficient manner of which your company works is always much appreciated. The great care and ability to work cautiously on my golf course is also appreciated. I am a firm believer that you must surround yourself with good people, and that you have. Your staff is extremely friendly and understanding of the care that turf professionals demand. I am always extremely impressed and always refer Harmon Turf Services to my colleagues within the industry. Your support of the golf course industry doesn’t go unnoticed either. I always look forward to the next opportunity to work with you and your company. Thanks, guys!
SHALLOW-TINE FAIRWAY AERATION
We perform shallow-tine aeration on fairways using four machines. We can aerate 10 to 15 acres per day. Several hole patterns are available; the 2” X 2” pattern and the 2” X 4” pattern are the most popular.
For pricing, call us at (800) 888-2493.
SHALLOW AERATION FOR GREENS & FINE TURF AREAS
We offer shallow aeration using a variety of solid or coring tines for aeration on greens, tees and all fine turf areas. Choose from several hole patterns with depths up to 4”.
For pricing, call us at (800) 888-2493.
DRILL/BACKFILL AERATION
Drill/backfill aeration drills a hole and then deposits a premeasured amount of sand or amendments into the hole to help increase drainage and promote root growth. There are 24 bits per machine head on a 7-1/2″ hole pattern. We offer 2 different bit sizes and depths: a 1″ bit that will go up to 8″ deep and a 3/4″ bit that will go up to 12″ deep. Customer provides dry material and the labor to load the material into the machines.
Pricing depends on the bit size used. For pricing, call us at (800) 888-2493.
Harmon Turf has provided drill-and-fill services to my client, the Carolina Panthers at Ericcson Stadium in Charlotte, NC, for the past three years. The root development that I have seen with my own eyes this spring of 2000, on the bermudagrass 419, which was installed at Ericcson Stadium by our firm in May of 1998, is the best that I have seen during my 46 years experience in the construction of natural turf sports fields. I have been so impressed with the drill and fill that I have retained Harmon Turf to provide the same services on Bobby Dodd Stadium at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, GA.
I have been a customer of Harmon Turf Services for more than 10 years. They are a great bunch of people and always do good work. For the past four years, I have contracted Harmon Turf to drill/backfill my clay greens. The results have been fantastic. Even after receiving 14 inches of rain in one week, we were able to keep the greens open for play. I intend to keep Harmon Turf in my budget for the future.
For the past five years, I have relied upon HTS for my spring drill and backfill aerification. They are dependable, their prices are reasonable, they do a great job, and the health of my greens proves that. HTS has my business for many years to come.
DETHATCHING / VERTI-CUTTING WITH VACUUM
On sports fields, golf fairways and large commercial areas, the Dethatcher removes thatch from the turf into a hopper to provide healthier growing conditions; the machine also does light verti-cutting up to 1/4″ deep. We use two machines on large jobs.
For pricing, call us at (800) 888-2493.
GRADEN GREENS CONTOUR DETHATCHING /VERTI-CUTTING
Graden dethatching on 1″ centers does a great job of removing unwanted thatch on your greens, tees and fairways.
For pricing, call us at (800) 888-2493.
For several years, I have worked with Harmon Turf Services. Without question, when I look for timing, knowledge, quality work and integrity, Joe and Anne simply are the best. Their commitment and dedication to their work and our industry is truly unique. We are very fortunate to have them in golf and the turfgrass industry.
TOPDRESSING SPREADING ON GREENS AND TEES
On greens and tees, our Dakota topdressing spinner (on a Toro Workman) distributes topdressing evenly across the turf surface. If needed, we can provide the loader to load topdressing material into spreaders. Customer provides topdressing material.
For pricing, call us at (800) 888-2493.
FAIRWAY TOPDRESSING
We use a Tycrop Drop Bulk Spreader to frame the fairway (to eliminate sand loss into the roughs) and a Dakota Bulk Spinner Topdresser for the center of the fairway. Customer provides the loader and the topdressing material.
For pricing, call us at (800) 888-2493.
If you grow grass for a livelihood, you probably appreciate people who ‘respect your turf.’ 16 years ago, we contracted with Harmon Turf Services to shallow-core aerify 60 acres on our golf course. They not only respected our turf, they genuinely appreciated what we are trying to achieve. Because of that, they have returned and performed the same service for the last 15 years. They are always on time and do excellent work in short order. Last November, we enlisted Harmon’s to topdress all of our fairways and roughs. Again, they did quality work in a timely manner. So much so that we have already committed with them to topdress and aerify all of our fairways and roughs this November. I can’t say enough good things about Harmons and their staff. They always do quality work in a timely manner and do everything in their power to accommodate the customer. Again, if you’re growing grass for a living, would you use anyone who didn’t respect your turf or did substandard work? I think not. I believe a 16-year track record of excellent, professional service speaks for itself.
We are extremely lucky to have found Harmon Turf. The services they provide and the care they take in providing these services have helped improve the playing surfaces DRAMATICALLY here at The Old Edwards Club.
GRADEN CONTOUR SAND INJECTION
Graden Contour Sand Injection is great for helping firm up golf greens so the golf ball will roll faster. The machine cuts slits on 1″ centers and fills those slits with sand up to 1″ deep. It also pulls up thatch and moves it to the sides of each pass, so that thatch is not drawn back into the slits. Customer provides the sand and the labor to load the sand into the machine and remove the thatch as the machine brings it up.
For pricing, call us at (800) 888-2493.
I contracted Harmon Turf Services in 2012 and 2013 to verticut our greens with the Graden Contour Sand Injection machines. The process removed an incredible amount of material while placing sand directly into the cut lines. We vertical mowed our greens in two directions at ¾” depth and ½” depth, and the process was completed in three days. Harmon Turf Services stayed the course despite some incredibly hot weather in 2012 (it was 105 and 103 degrees the first two days they worked) and some thunderstorms in 2013. They worked with us on how we wanted to get the job done and worked steadily until the job was completed. I highly recommend Harmon Turf Services for any vertical mowing and/or aeration needs.
Harmon Turf Services has done the Graden Contour Sand Injection on my greens for the past three years. Joe and the boys have always been very patient and efficient in their operation. I feel my greens have really benefitted, and the impact on my members has been minute. We continue to see improved thatch reduction and look forward to using them in the future.
SLIT DRAINAGE
Slit drainage on fairways and sports fields will effectively move water off the playing surface, helping reduce disease development and moss growth. Slits are 10″ apart and are filled with a clean, washed USGA sand or small drainage gravel for long-lasting results. Slits fill to 8″ deep. Customer provides the sand or gravel to fill the slits.
For pricing, call us at (800) 888-2493.
We contacted Harmon Turf Services to perform slit drainage on our 5th fairway with their BLEC machine this summer. In the past, we would be forced to keep carts on the path for a good four to five days after an inch of rain. Obviously, the bermudagrass suffered from the perpetual saturated conditions, too. Well, in about eight hours, they slit drained over 24,000 square feet, which helped rectify an 80-year-old problem for our course. Furthermore, the disturbance to the turf canopy was minimal, so there was minimal disruption to play. Needless to say, the quality of the turf, playability and lack of cart restrictions has dramatically increased. As usual, Harmon performed this task very efficiently with a high degree of quality. Joe and all of his staff seem to take pride in their work, which really shows in the finished product. I would definitely recommend Harmon Turf Services and the slit-drainage process to anybody in the turf industry.
I utilized the services of Harmon Turf Services in 2003 to aid me in taking on one of the biggest and the most successful projects of my career. Starting June 2, Joe and his crew began BLECavating and installing slit trench drainage onto all 19 greens at the Towson Golf & Country Club. His portion of the project was completed in less than two weeks, in adverse weather conditions (rain, rain, rain). The greens were then methyl bromide gassed, then floated, rolled and compacted. Finally washed A-1 bentgrass sod was installed. The greens were reopened on August 26, an amazing 12 weeks from start of total reconstruction to back into service. The greens now perk over 4” to 5” per hour, and the unique design allows us to retain ample moisture and fertility. I truly believe the happy medium between USGA greens and the old push-ups are now in evidence at my facility. They are performing beautifully, with stimpmeter readings over ten and heights of cut less than 1/10″. The slit-trench drainage remains the focal point of the projects success. This technology made it possible, plausible and affordable. Our rebuild method ran roughly 25% of a typical rebuild. We were so pleased with the drainage results that we have since had Harmon Turf Services return to fix other problem drainage areas in fairways and roughs because of the success associated with this method of drainage, as well as the cost effectiveness. It is highly likely that their services could be the best solution to your drainage problem.
VERSI-SEEDER SEEDING ON LARGE AREAS
For overseeding golf fairways, sports fields and large commercial areas. The Versi-Seeder is a calibrated seed box that seeds, rakes and rolls (for good seed-to-soil contact), all in one pass.
For pricing, call us at (800) 888-2493.
I am a very satisfied customer of Harmon Turf Services and always look forward to having Joe and his staff work on our field. I’ve always been pleased with service, workmanship and results, and our City Stadium-Casey Field is a solid reflection of their work, as we were recognized by the STMA as having the National High School Football Field of the Year in 1997–1998. Casey Field is a multi-use playing surface and, when in play for baseball, has also been highly praised for its playing surface. In 1999, we had Harmon overseed and roll both baseball and football playing surfaces, then immediately upon completion, had the local high school baseball team play on the field.
GREAT JOB — keep up the good work and thanks for all you do for us in Covington and the turf industry.