Winter Sports - Rugby Union
the surface. The layer was both impeding drainage and reducing the cushioning effect provided by the polypropylene and elastane fibres incorporated within the Fibrelastic rootzone.
“It came as a bit of a shock,” he said. “I had thought that our pitch was virtually infallible, but the high levels of use that autumn for both football and rugby had created a layer of impenetrable compaction. It highlighted dramatically the need for similarly high levels of regular remedial treatment to maintain turf condition and playability over winter.”
At the first opportunity, in early spring 2012, Luke carried out a mini-renovation of the pitch, solid- tining the turf to a depth of 120mm and overseeding with a perennial ryegrass mix. The operation saw the pitch through to the end of the season when major renovations were undertaken by Sheffield-based sports turf contractor, Premier Pitches. Commencing in June with a total grass kill, the firm then fraise-mowed the pitch to a depth of between 10mm and 15mm and applied 140 tonnes of Fibresand (silica sand reinforced with polypropylene fibres) across the entire playing surface. Power harrowing followed to create a friable, open seedbed before raking and rolling to level and firm the
surface prior to seeding. “The grass take was brilliant,
providing an excellent start for the new season,” commented Luke, adding that the eight to ten week “rest” period between the end of one season and the start of the next was the most important time of the year from his viewpoint.
“I want to achieve a maximum
rooting depth of around 200mm during the summer months,” he said. “From experience, this will enable the turf to better withstand and recover from the pressures applied during a long playing season.”
Used as and when needed, the stadium’s irrigation system plays an important role in helping get newly- seeded grass plants well established, whilst regular aeration, both in and out of season, ensures that air, water and nutrients are able to reach the roots.
During the summer, Luke uses his
TerraSpike GXi 8 HD every two to three weeks to keep the surface and rootzone open and free-draining, never going deeper than 180mm to ensure that the 10mm solid tines stay well above the undersoil heating pipes laid 250mm below the surface. In drier weather, the TerraSpike, fitted with 19mm tines, may be used to loosen the ground to depth ahead of a Sisis Javelin Aer-Aid 1500
Dennis G860 & Premier The proper tool for the job
For more information or a no obligation demonstration call 01332 824777 or alternatively visit
www.dennisuk.com
Croquet/Tennis Football/Hockey/Rugby Cricket Golf Lawns Amenity
The black layer discovered within the pitch in December 2011
Height of cut being adjusted on one of the stadium’s two Dennis G860 mowers
World class turf maintenance equipment FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014 PC 23
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