BOSTON — We're one week out from the official start of baseball season! The World Series Champion Boston Red Sox will start the 2019 season away, playing the Seattle Mariners on March 28, but Fenway Park groundskeepers are already preparing for the home opener.
The Red Sox Home Opener will be April 9. Boston 25 News Meteorologist Vicki Graf spent the day at America's favorite ballpark and learned some surprising tips for your lawn from Fenway Park expert groundskeeper Dave Mellor.
Mellor has been senior director of grounds at Fenway for 19 years. In his time, he says he's seen a lot of wicked weather at the stadium and he has to work around that weather to make the grounds look immaculate.
"All weather is important. Whether it's a homeowner knowing how to deal with it or us here at Fenway," he said. "The forecast you give us is an important part from knowing how we manage the grass, our infield clay, our batters box."
The Boston 25 Weather Team provides forecasts for Mellor and the Red Sox.
"We use that weather information you give us to plan that day's events and how we care for the field, as well as to plan the next couple of days," said Mellor.
He says it takes a big team to keep up with everything.
"I couldn't be prouder of the crew and their attention to detail," said Mellor.
Now, you might not have a whole team of people to help you in your yard, but Mellor says there are certain things you can do to make your yard look like Fenway.
For starters, now is the time to make sure your lawn mower is serviced.
A sharp blade is important.
You also want to make sure your grass is around 3-inches, just long enough so that the roots don't need to absorb that much water, which helps avoid drought.
Moderation is key.
Too much of anything isn't good, including fertilizer.
And to help with those afternoon summer thunderstorms? Mellor uses a little extra help.
It's called an infield conditioner. On a hot day, it holds moisture and on a wet day, it soaks up the moisture. So when you see an umpire called for a drying agent, that's what it is.