Head Groundskeeper Bill Gartner prefers a hands-off approach to maintaining the field at Moline Park. "We use a no-mow lawn mix, Fine Fescue turf grass." The grass grows thick and slow. For those hoping to emulate the low-key approach of Gartner and the Greens, Gartner offers some advice. "The area to be planted must be completely free of weeds prior to seeding." After the field is planted, "mow once a month to a height of 3 to 4 inches for best results. Granted, we mow twice a month, but we've got games to win and injuries to worry about."
The effect of the grass on offense at Moline has been slight, as the team has posted record team numbers in the last few seasons. Then again, the pitching staff has recorded strong ERAs, which makes the understated Gartner suggest that "our hitters might be pretty good."
At home, Gartner, well, gardens. "Yes, it's bit obvious, but I've overcome that. Then again, maybe it's the very name that pushed me in that direction. Nature or nurture? Who can say?" Gartner and coach Kiki Hirota have engaged in a number of vegetable slams over the years, head to head competitions of their garden products. "He's stronger on the vines, the green beans, the tomatoes, but I'm better in the root vegetables categories. I grow a damn fine yam. Yummy. And I'm the king of compost. You ask anybody."