Timing matters in TURF CULTURE
Professor Bill Adams says that, despite the advances in
specifications and maintenance machinery, many sportsfields are poorer quality than they could be
It aint what you do it’s the way that you do it ...
OVER the last three decades there have been major advances in the specifications for pitch construction, or upgrading, and in the capability and effectiveness of maintenance machinery. These developments have provided the framework to create, and sustain, good quality natural turf pitches. In addition there are the fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides to help implement the knowledge required to fulfill a maintenance strategy. Despite having these tools of the trade many sportsfields are of much poorer quality than they could be and I want to explore the importance of timeliness in carrying out particular operations or activities as a key factor in improving this situation. The criteria governing what is good timing differ between different types of maintenance procedure and I shall use the examples of end of season renovation, fertiliser use, weed control, topdressing, aeration and mowing to illustrate these different criteria.
End of season renovation
This is the easiest to comment on because timeliness means immediately, or at least as soon as possible after the season ends, to give the maximum period for recovery. Indeed the scattering of seed prior to the end of the season on worn areas can help considerably in restoring grass cover. Decompaction and restoring true levels in goalmouths is especially important and, if possible, take soccer goalpost down to prevent ‘kicking in’ in goal areas. Also, note that nutrient loss, especially nitrogen, will be substantially greater where the soil has been virtually bare of grass for part of the season - so take this into account in early fertiliser applications.
Fertiliser use
The key issue for timing is to apply fertiliser when the grass can use it for growth. The longstanding recommendation of a high phosphate ‘Autumn’ fertiliser is unnecessary and wasteful. A light dressing of a fertiliser with a moderately
high nitrogen content (eg. 4:1:3 ratio) in early autumn will keep the turf growing until temperatures consistently fall below about 7O
greatest importance is to apply fertiliser at the right time in spring because sand dominant rootzones, especially on young pitches, will be totally starved of nitrogen at the end of winter. Our spring weather is, and always has been, variable especially with regard to warm up. On the whole, early March is when active growth usually begins. Be alert to when any type of grassland in your locality starts to grow - not just your own sportsfield, for then is the time to get the fertiliser distributor out. I would not recommend using a straight nitrogen fertiliser but it is almost certain to be the nutrient in limiting supply. A point worth being aware of is the heat island effect of large urban areas. Temperatures year round in large urban areas are 2-3O
equivalent rural areas, so grass growth starts on average a fortnight or more sooner in spring.
73 C higher than C. Of
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