Pitchcare Classifieds SPORTS SURFACE CONTRACTORS D W Clark DRAINAGE LTD
Again, if not directly available from a nearby water source, then this may require travelling some distance from the seeding area, thereby incurring extra cost. 3) Climate: Does the site suffer from extremes of rainfall? This will have an effect on whether or not the soil will erode. What is the length of growing season? The further north the shorter the season. Is the site near the coast? The salt in the air can have an effect on the species that will survive.
4) Client: The client may have a particular requirement for the site. Whatever his wishes, this has to be balanced with the site restrictions. For example, on a steep slope that may be subject to erosion, the client may wish to see wildflowers. However, because these are slow growing, the slope may be eroded away before they get a chance to establish. 5) Seed: This can be grass, wildflowers, trees and/or shrubs. The best people to advise on specific mixtures are generally locally based seed merchants, who should have both the knowledge and whether they are commercially available.
Once you have considered the above, then the hydroseeding mix itself can be specified using the following ingredients: • Seed: Refer to item 5 above. Percentages of species in the mix should be advised by the seed supplier. Should the seed be native to the country or is imported seed acceptable? In general, wildflower mixes will be sown at 3-5g/m² whilst grasses will be sown at 20-25g/m²
• Mulch: This is generally jute, cotton or wood fibre, which may or may not be dyed a colour. It is used as a growth medium in that it holds water, gives the seed protection and something in which to germinate.
• Water: As previously mentioned, this can either be pumped from a pond or stream or come direct from mains water. If from a pond or stream then you must ensure the water is not contaminated.
• Fertiliser: This can either be a standard agricultural fertiliser in a granular or liquid form or a liquid slow release fertiliser, with the latter being preferable. This is because the agricultural type will give all the nutrients at one time, with many of these, particularly the nitrogen, leaching out of the soil before the grass has even germinated. In a slow-release form, the nutrients are let out over a
period of time and should be available when the plants germinate. Whichever is used, the NPK ratio should be determined.
• Binder: This is the item that sticks all the ingredients together and ‘glues’ everything to the soil surface, stopping it being washed away. This is generally a natural gum-based powder, an alginate (seaweed based) powder or liquid or a synthetic liquid. If using the latter, it should be checked that it will not affect the germination of the plants (as, for example, bitumen would). The rate of application is generally around 3-5g/m².
The amount of materials to be placed into the machine will mainly depend on the size of the machine. The simplest method of calculating this is to measure out an area of, say, 1000m², mix the ingredients to cover that area (i.e. seed at 25g/m² then use 25kg, mulch at 100g/m² then use 100kg etc.) and then spray onto the measured area to give an even coverage.
In general, if water is running off, then too much is being applied, if not enough then the coverage will look patchy. The experienced operator will soon know what area his machine will cover with one tank-load. Before hydroseeding, the site should be free of weeds, which will stop the mixture getting onto the soil, and free of excessive compaction, which will prevent the roots penetrating the soil. It should also not be too smooth, i.e. pushed down with the back of an excavator bucket, as this again tends to form a barrier against roots and also makes it harder for the water in the hydroseeding mix to soak into the soil.
Once mixed, the hydroseeding mixture is sprayed onto the soil, either directly from the machine or by the use of hoses attached to the machine, allowing access into more difficult areas.
For soils that may erode very easily, the soil can be covered with a biodegradable geotextile, such as jute-fibre matting, which gives much greater protection than just hydroseeding alone. These mats can then be hydroseeded in the normal way and, when the grass grows, it binds with the mat to give excellent soil protection.
In summary, hydroseeding is not a ‘magic’ answer to get grass growing anywhere, nor does it make grass grow quicker; it essentially allows greater flexibility in any seeding operation.
SPECIALIST SPORTSTURF CONSTRUCTION & DRAINAGE CONTRACTORS • Gravel Banding • Sand Slitting
• Top Dressing • Renovation • Irrigation Unit 7, Brailes Industrial Estate, Winderton Lane, Lower Brailes Banbury, Oxfordshire OX15 5JW
Tel: 01608 685800 Fax: 01608 685801 email:
jim@dwclarkdrainageltd.co.uk Web:
www.dwclarkdrainageltd.co.uk
Natural & Synthetic
Renovation - Drainage - Maintenance Sports Pitch Design - Construction
SPORTS TURF DRAINAGE AND CONSTRUCTION
NATIONWIDE SERVICE
www.turfdry.com
Contact: Melvyn Taylor
Office: 01283 551417 Mobile: 07836 259133 Email:
melvyn@turfdry.com
www.kestrelcontractors.co.uk
Tel: 01256 880488 Email:
info@kestrelcontractors.co.uk
Sportsfield Construction Drainage Schemes Renovations & Improvements Cricket Specialists
Tel: 01529 455757 Fax: 01529 455775 e-mail:
steve@stevenpask.co.uk
www.stevenpask.co.uk PC AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014 I 155
Why not visit our online Buyers Guide for direct links to suppliers websites and email addresses
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