Choice of machinery to relieve compaction is critical with clay soils
conjunction with a tined
Aerator/Decompactor working to 25cm depth, and drag-matting to incorporate the sand” the pitch remained unplayable on many occasions every winter. The pitches are constructed on the typical heavy blue clay widely found in the Bristol area, with a minimum of topsoil providing the root-zone for turf. The problems generally associated with clay soils as explained above had, in this particular situation, been made infinitely worse by the use of a tined decompactor. The tine on exiting the hole it had just created, had smeared the walls and sealed it like a test tube, producing reservoirs from which water could not escape vertically or laterally. Filling these holes with sand had not improved the scenario one iota either, as the pitch now merely consisted of thousands of sealed and waterlogged sand columns. This is by no means an isolated case either but a very common problem which I have experienced on clay based pitches all across the UK. Now, I am not suggesting that everyone on clay soils should throw away their tined Aerator or Decompactor - far from it, they are fine machines. However, if you’re going to use these products on clay. I suggest that you do so in conjunction with lateral decompaction using a Rotary Decompactor. These machines will effectively move the soil and sand sideways shattering the sand columns and create slits to 30 cm depth where feasible, thereby joining up the holes and allowing the water to disperse more effectively.
Better still, apply your sand with a spreader and buy or hire in a Rotary
Decompactor fitted with coulter knives to incorporate your sand in continuous slits, in conjunction with drag-matting and over- seeding etc. at the end of the playing season. After renovation work is completed, it is a good plan to make use of the Rotary Decompactor again in August when clay soils are generally dry and hard. This allows maximum shattering effect and creates fissures within the soil, allowing air and water to circulate throughout the profile. Rotary Decompactors create a shattering wave action like a seismic wave from a real Earthquake.
Using a Rotary Decompactor on clay to incorporate spread sand prior to drag-matting
Using the Rotary Decompactor on established turf to decompact clay soil
The following autumn and winter rains
reduce the possibility of slits opening up from shrinkage to an absolute minimum. Clay soils have advantages as well as disadvantages to the Groundsman and Turf Manager. The trick is deciding how to manage it. Obviously, getting as much sand as possible into the pitch is desirable, especially in the early days of getting your clay soil into a playable surface for the whole season. Placing the sand by deep slitting is by far the best and most cost effective option for most situations, especially for non-league clubs with limited budgets. Maintaining the turf by regular continuous linear aeration from different directions throughout the winter, using slitter/aerators, will create inter- connecting channels within the root- zone. This will help disperse surface water into the sand slits and keep pitches
in use during wet weather conditions. There are numerous UK based sports
ground contractors available to carry out sand incorporation and decompaction using the linear slitting technique. One such man is Alan Chappelow from Mirfield near Leeds who owns two 2.2 metre Rotary Decompactors and treats approx 100 pitches every year. Alan says, “I am a great fan of the Imants system. It works wonders for drainage on clay pitches. We have found it really improves playability throughout the season, especially when used to incorporate sand in continuous bands at 25 cm spacings and 30-40 cm depth.” For further details contact John Reynolds 0121 355 3700 or 07980 604430
Days OFF!
... or what Pitchcare readers get up to out of office hours
MICK CONWAY, Head Groundsman at AFC Telford United: I am employed by Telford & Wrekin Services Ltd (TWS) who are the Council’s Environmental Maintenance Contractor and one of the largest employers in the area. We are probably one of the largest grounds maintenance contractors in the Midlands. TWS have an arrangement with Telford and Wrekin Council and AFC Telford United for us to maintain their football pitch. I am based permanently, full time, at the New Bucks Head Stadium to look after the pitch. I work alone but have the luxury of being able to call upon the specialised support that is available elsewhere in TWS. As for days off, I am lucky, I have very good terms and conditions and tend to get most weekends off. I have recently moved house, so I am under strict instructions from my wife, Caroline, to get the house and garden straight. Not too much of a chore as I have a keen interest in gardening. I also enjoy going shopping with my family although, having three grown up children, Leone 20, Andrew 18 and the youngest George 13, it means my pockets tend to empty quickly. I keep an eye out for the scores of my favourite team, Manchester United, who I have supported ever since I was a lad. I suppose if I have a dream it would be for the reds to be drawn against AFC Telford at New Bucks Head. We can all live in hope!
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96