Technical
Coremaster Xtreme
pitches can remain playable year round. It goes without saying that aeration plays an important role in the management of natural turf playing surfaces and should be a key operation to aid turf grass performance, but be mindful what technique or machine you choose to use on your playing surface. It is also important to note that damage can occur to the playing surface if the wrong type of equipment is used or the operation is carried out in the wrong conditions. Dig trial pits or take soil samples to ascertain the type of soil you
Bowling Greens and Croquet Lawns
Like most fine turf playing surfaces, care has to be taken not to disturb the playing surface, so timing of operations is critical. Most, if not all, of the deeper aeration work is usually completed during the closed season (October-March).
Many surfaces would benefit from a deep aeration into the profile to break up any deep-seated compaction pans. Care should be taken on the choice and size of tines, and be mindful at what speed you run the tines; you do not want to rip the top off your surface. Gradually deepen spiking over time, but avoid damaging any undersoil irrigation pipes, electrical cabling, drainage systems or gravel carpets.
During the playing season, the green will benefit from regular aeration work to keep the surface open. Weekly use of a sarrel roller will also help. Prior to the spring and autumn renovations, the green will benefit from some solid or hollow tine spiking (depending on needs) usually down to 100-150mm depth, providing a key for any newly applied topdressings.
Other regular aeration will involve the use of pencil tines or slit tines, on a monthly basis, to keep the sward free draining and allow gaseous exchange to take place.
Wiedenmann Terra Spike
are dealing with before using a large and fast operating aerator; these powerful machines are capable of doing a lot of damage in the wrong hands.
It’s not just a case of ‘running over the
ground as fast as you can’. There’s much to consider when aerating - soil type, speed of the machine, tine spacing, depth of operation and, importantly, what you are trying to achieve, all need to be considered. Be aware of the health and safety considerations when operating aeration equipment. Do not attempt to adjust the
Golf Courses
Both tractor mounted and pedestrian aerators are used regularly out on the course.
Greens and tees: The aim is to provide firm, dry and level surfaces with sufficient cover of a tight knit grass sward. When conditions are favourable, windows of opportunity should be taken to achieve this objective by aerating at varying depths and possibly lightly sanding afterwards to maintain a firm and dry surface.
Recent trends have shown that many course managers prefer to carry out solid tining or coring work with 9mm (3/8th) or less tine sizes and then follow-up with micro-coring in April. The larger 13mm (½ inch) coring operation is then left until August, when conditions are usually ideal for such work and a much faster recovery ensues.
Fairways are generally aerated with tractor mounted aerators throughout the winter months (November-March) when the ground is moist enough to penetrate. Operating a deep tine with varying degrees of heave will prove beneficial for removing surface water and to maximise air movement through the soil. If slitting is the desired option, then be aware of cold drying winds opening the surface, particularly on exposed courses on the eastern side of the UK.
Imants Shockwave
machine when it is working, ensure you switch off the machine and any primary mover when undertaking any adjustment or repairs.
I hope the above has been helpful and portrays the benefits of carrying out aeration practices, and points you in the right direction on choosing the right type of aeration equipment. The information on the following pages highlights some of the aeration machinery and techniques used in the maintenance of specific sports surfaces.
Tennis and Cricket
Traditionally, aeration of tennis and cricket facilities was carried out during the winter months, when the clay soil profiles were wet enough and soft enough for penetration. No aeration tended to be carried out after January as they did not want the clay soils cracking open during the playing season.
However, Keith Exton, Head Groundsman at Glamorgan CCC, has now blown this theory away by advocating deep aeration on cricket squares during the playing season, as soon as a pitch has been used. He has perfected the art of deep aerating the square using a very fast acting modified Wiedenmann XF aerator using pencil tines. He now can aerate to below 150mm in depth, thereby aiding the recovery of his wickets after play.
Ecosols Drill ‘N’ Fill aeration is also a popular end of season renovation at some cricket clubs. A number of wickets have been drilled and filled at Northampton CCC, with head groundsman, Paul Marshall, being very pleased with the results. The drills are used to remove a 300mm depth of old soil, which is replaced with new loam material, which is then backfilled by hand.
Outfields are regularly aerated using a combination of linear and solid tine aerators.
Sisis Dart
Toro Procore 648
Wiedenmann Terra Spike APRIL/MAY 2012 PC 111
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