Sports Field: Four Fundamental Tips for Maintaining the Natural Turf

Posted on: 31 July 2020

Proper upkeep is indispensable for sports fields with natural turf. In general, proper maintenance will promote personal safety because the surface will provide adequate support and cushioning for the players. Also, the quality of the game will be better if the field is in a good state. In addition, the appearance of a field is linked to reputation. Therefore, if you are the owner or manager of a sports field, you must make arrangements for landscaping. Here are some upkeep tips to get you started.

Plan for Irrigation

Natural turf must be watered on a regular basis to ensure good health. If your field is left dry for long periods, the grass will not recover fast after the stress of games. Moreover, the grass pile will be compromised, and this will mean severe impact during falls. Additionally, the appeal of the field will decline due to dryness. Therefore, you should make arrangements for regular irrigation. You can opt for manual watering. However, where possible, it is prudent to invest in a suitable temporary or permanent system for long-term convenience.

Mow the Grass

You should not allow the turf to become overgrown. The frequency of mowing and the optimal height of grass will depend on the specific sports which will be played on the field and the regularity of space usage. If it is a season for games, consistent trimming will be indispensable. Long grass will interfere with the quality of game play and could pose a safety hazard. However, you must be careful not to cut the grass too short because the turf may experience stress and subsequent poor health.

Manage Bare Patches

The use of a sports field can result in the formation of bare patches on the turf. This can be attributed to more stress in certain zones which experience more action during games. These patches are unattractive and may affect safety and play quality. Therefore, you should plan on remedying the problem by over-seeding. As implied, this involves covering the problem areas or even the entire field with grass seed to promote fresh turf growth.

Evaluate Drainage

Finally, you should evaluate the quality of drainage on your field. It is important to ensure that water does not pool in certain zones after rainfall or irrigation. If there are puddles on the surface, the problem might be poor sloping, bad turf installation or field damage. These issues can be difficult to resolve without extensive renovations. Therefore, if drainage is a concern for your sports field, consider engaging a landscaping specialist who provides sports field maintenance services

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