It is important to validate what is trying to be achieved and what will be the consequences of overdoing it
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www.pitchcare.com/re
• Organic Materials - composts.
• Cost.
It is important to evaluate the existing soil/sand composition of your facility. This can be achieved by sending samples away for testing. Using the wrong dressing material can create a layering effect and cause severe drainage and rootbreak problems. To help choose the correct top dressing material, it is often best to seek advice from top dressing suppliers or qualified consultants or agronomists.
The success of top dressing will be influenced by the amount applied and how well it is worked into the turf surface. Applying too much dressing will have a detrimental affect,
smothering out the turf and increasing the likelihood of disease, slow grass growth and, in some cases, it will kill the turf.
The amount of top dressing required will depend on the depth of material used x the surface area of the site. In the spring most Greenkeepers will only be applying 1-2mm depth of dressing per green (average size 500m2
), about
0.75-1.5 tonnes, whereas in the autumn renovation programme more than 2 tonnes per green will be applied.
Similar amounts of dressings can be applied to tees and approaches. In total, for a 18 hole golf course, well over 80 tonnes of material may be needed. On average, for football, about 60-100 tonnes of material per pitch are required.
32 11
www.pitchcare.com/re Overseeding
To re-establish grass cover on the playing surface, it is necessary to overseed the area with new grass seed. It is important to choose appropriate seed mixtures for the given sports surface. There are many varieties of grass seed available, bred to perform for particular sports and soil types.
Overseeding rates will depend on:
• Type of seed.
• Condition of existing turf (how bare).
• Type of seed spreader/drill machine used.
• The number of passes (sowing the seed in different directions).
• Cost.
Most seed suppliers will recommend sowing rates but, as a rule of thumb, it will generally be about 35grams of seed per sq m. Soil temperatures above 12O
C, a
moist, well-aerated seedbed, close seed/soil contact are primary requirements for rapid development. The best results are achieved when the seed has direct contact with the soil, and preferably below the soil surface. Seed that is left lying on the surface and not in direct contact with soil is prone to drying out and being eaten by birds. Ensure moisture is available for germination.
On the market there is a range of machinery designed to sow grass seed including disc, direct drilling, oscillating and broadcasting mechanisms.
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