“Some are just sticking plasters and don’t sort out the deep seated problems”
• This extra wet soil reduces air filled pore spaces vital for a healthy soil, which in turn means the rootzone becomes anaerobic very rapidly and black layer forms fast.
• The high moisture content also promotes the growth of algae on the surface all year round. This is made worse by the height of the stands creating shadow and reducing wind to dry the surface.
• The algae and other bio-films will cap the rootzone further reducing drainage rates.
• The production of black layer forms iron sulphides and manganese sulphides (the black in black layer), this in turn plugs up the pores in the rootzone further reducing drainage rates.
All in all it is difficult to manage this shallow rootzone. Ever since construction we have been trying to resolve the problems, there are a number of possible solutions:
• To re-construct to a USGA standard, in other words 300mm depth, therefore allowing a greater hydraulic head to be built up in the rootzone, allowing drainage without the formation of
puddles on the surface.
• Construct a crown/camber from the middle out to help shed excessive water off the pitch quickly.
• Purchase a rain cover to be used when heavy rain is expected.
• Purchase an underground ventilation system, this could create a vacuum in the drainage pipes and gravel helping gravity push water through the rootzone.
These are expensive options, some of which are just sticking plasters and don’t sort out the deep-seated problems. We, as a club, are trying to find a long-term solution. However, this has to be funded and any serious remedial work needs to fit in around summer events.
Managing the problem
Our work routine on the pitch is all based around the management of the high water content and the reduction of the black layer. Each recent end of season renovation is about increasing the rootzone depth. This is done using heavy sand dressings and sand injection. This year we managed to increase the depth of rootzone by 20mm without any real reconstruction of the top.
In season work
We use aeration to the absolute maximum without compromising the stability of the pitch. We will use deep vertidrain type aerators in large gaps between fixtures and use shallower punch action aerators on a weekly basis, and maybe carrying out sarrel rolling as well during the week, sometimes on a daily basis.
As much as I would like to, it is difficult to keep adding sand to the surface during the season as the incorporation of sand is damaging to the grass, and sand on the grass is not acceptable to many football players and managers. We have, in the past, particularly in quiet periods, added small amounts of kiln dried sand but that is about the limit. Maybe all of that is about to change.
I saw the DryJect machines on the web about four years ago and thought then that these machines could play a great role in my ‘in season’ maintenance, however they where not available in the UK. I saw the advert for DryJect on the Pitchcare website and phoned the company to find out costs and if I could see a demo of the machines anywhere. Subsequently, I went out to Queenwood
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BeamRider 13
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Laser guided line marking
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