Educational Establishments
Upgraded in summer 2012, the principal rugby pitch was stripped and graded to produce a 1 in 200 fall away from the camera before the top soil was replaced, seeded, fertilised and topdressed. The surface was back in use in six weeks
fertiliser, followed by the spreading of 90 tonnes of sand topdressing applied evenly across the entire area. “The weather helped produce fantastic establishment and grow-in,” recalled John. “The cover was so good that we were able to release the renovated pitch for a training session on 13 September. “The pitch then hosted three rugby matches over the next two weeks with no ill-effects. The work has transformed the surface, giving faster recovery and making it easier to maintain, benefitting everyone working on and using the ground.” To keep it that way, John and his staff
carry out a weekly aeration programme throughout the playing season encompassing all three sports pitches. Three weeks out of four, the turf is
treated by a tractor-mounted blade-type aerator working at 150mm- 200mm deep. During the fourth week, a deep- tine aerator is used, fitted with 12mm or 27mm solid tines and operating at depths between 180mm and 250mm. “The type and degree of aeration
treatment selected each week is very weather dependent,” commented John. “We walk the pitches after every game, replacing and repairing divots, and then decide which aerator to use depending on rainfall levels and the ground’s ability to respond. The important thing is to
Holes are prepared for the installation of rugby posts on the pitch inside the running track. John Courtney is hoping to upgrade pitch drainage in the near future using a combination of sand slitting and sand banding
maintain percolation to prevent standing water, helping the surface dry out and recover.” The regular aeration programme is accompanied by pure-sand topdressings three or four times during the season, applied by a drop-style spreader. Winter feeding of the turf takes place in December and March - weather permitting - using Headland’s Xtend 15:2:20+MgO slow-release granular formulation.
June and September sees summer feed applications of Xtend 22:2:8+MgO, a similar granular product designed to release nutrients over two to three months. Control of annual and perennial weeds
takes place twice a year with the help of a tractor-mounted boom sprayer and hand-operated knapsack sprayers applying T2 Green broad spectrum selective herbicide, Safor mosskiller and Clinic Ace glyphosate, chosen according to weed location, density and type. John commented that he aims to apply fungicides only when a potential disease risk is identified, assisted by his sound knowledge of local climate and the conditions that promote turf disease. Mowing of all sports pitches is carried out by a John Deere 7200 ride-on mower equipped with three five-bladed cutting units set at a constant 30mm height of
cut. This model is supported by a 25hp JD 1026R hydrostatic sub-compact utility tractor with 1.37m mid mower deck, delivered in January by local John Deere dealer, Powercut. Replacing an ageing JD 455, the new tractor-mower is helping look after the site’s more confined grass areas, as well as supporting a 48hp JD 4320 compact tractor with transport and towing duties, including cleaning of the two water- based synthetic pitches. A quick calculation by John reveals that the total area of turf and composite surfaces looked after by the grounds team adds up to more than 6.5ha. This figure includes a 300-space car park and six sand-filled all-weather tennis courts maintained by the team on behalf of a neighbouring private tennis club. If the two compact tractors are engaged on other grounds work, a John Deere TX Turf Gator is available to move materials, hand equipment and staff around the site. This machine was delivered new in December 2012, replacing a similar six-year old model. Regular maintenance of the outdoor water-filled Astroturf pitches involves weekly brushing of the surface to straighten and level the fibres using a trailed Wiedenmann Terra Brush. This operation is accompanied by power sweeping at least once a month to
White-lining is a regular task on the three sports pitches at Sketty Lane. A transfer-wheel machine is preferred for pitches hosting a variety of different sports as the markings are not as permanent as those produced by a spray-type marker
98 PC FEBRUARY/MARCH 2013
Weekly brushing of the two water-filled Astroturf pitches helps lift and straighten the fibres, improving the run and speed of the ball
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 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148