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By Dan Strange in Consultancy on 30th Jan 2012 6:00
After testing over 700 sports fields across Australia, Sports Turf Institute Aust has seen many different re-turfing jobs with varying results. This article offers a couple of thoughts on how to get the best out of any re-turfing work.
The fundamentals of re-turfing
When re-turfing an area there are three major factors to consider:
A. Preparation of the area in advance of laying the turf.
B. Quality of the introduced material (both plant material and soil it is grown in).
C. The laying of the turf and follow up maintenance.
Ensure imported soil is suitable
When most people buy turf they are usually more concerned about what particular cultivar is used rather than what material it has been grown in. Yet the growing material of the turf is a very important factor that can ultimately affect the overall performance of the field. Using the wrong growing material can potentially create problems that didn't previously exist, such as:
# Reduced drainage performance.
The drainage rate of a profile can be dramatically reduced if a less than suitable material is imported. This would apply where the turf is grown in a heavy clay or silt and is placed over a free draining sandy loam profile (such as illustrated). The drainage barrier created can affect the overall drainage performance of the field, and it may take repeated aeration to help bring the overall drainage back to the desired rate.
# Layering created in the soil profile.
Any time two differing soil textures meet there is the possibility of layering. Layering can reduce downward water movement as well as deep root growth. On occasions roots can grow laterally rather than vertically if major layering is present.
What is a suitable growing material?
An ideal growing medium for imported turf would be one which:
# Is similar to the soil profile currently on site. (An exception would be where washed sod is used.)
# Provides good drainage and grass growing qualities.
# Is consistent throughout, meaning all turf imported is the same across the entire playing area.
On major stadia there is often a specific contract in place between the client and the grower to ensure the turf is grown in a medium suited to the soil currently on site. This includes specifications on the texture and infiltration rate of the soil.
However such specifications seldom operate in community- based sports fields, and the make-up of the turf growing medium is generally a mystery. So should we specify what the growing medium should be when ordering our turf? Should we be placing a higher priority on things such as drainage performance of the growing medium? In our view the answer to both of these is yes, if problems over the subsequent season are to be minimised.
Check the depth of Thatch/Mat present in the turf:
Consideration should also be given to the depth of mat/thatch in new turf, ensuring it is within an acceptable range for the sport. Excessive thatch can create management issues and limit usage capability. A small ball sport such as a cricket outfield or hockey pitch requires a firm, fast surface with minimal (less than 10mm) mat. For contact sports like AFL or rugby union/league a more lenient level of thatch/mat could be tolerated.
Summary
Although factors such as price and availability are obviously key considerations in sod selection, thought should also be given to the quality of the growing medium and condition of the sod when selecting a turf supply. It is important to enquire about the growing medium at the sod farm in advance of placing an order and ensure it is appropriate to achieve the desired results for your playing surface.
For more from Dan head to - www.turfinstitute.com.au
Questions can be directed via email - dan@turfinstitute.com.au
Read more articles in Consultancy, by Dan Strange or from January 2012.
