Healthy grass in a sports field ensures players enjoy the game and helps increase visibility to the thousands of fans watching the game. The article discusses how you can maintain a healthy lawn in a sports field.
Choose The Right Grass
Grass planted at the sports field should withstand a lot of traffic, wear and tear. It should have long runners and excellent self-repair properties. Ryegrass, Kentucky Bluegrass and Kikuyu can withstand high traffic. In addition, some varieties of these grasses have adequate drought resistance. They are perfect during hot weather when you do have adequate water to irrigate the grass.
Irrigation
Underground and overhead sprinklers are effective methods of irrigation. Underground systems must be installed by a professional to prevent injury to players. Your landscaper should advise the frequency of watering the field. Remember, too much water will make the ground soggy; hence making it difficult for players to use the field. With adequate funds, you could purchase a sports field irrigation system. It monitors the humidity of the soil, the uniformity of irrigation and the flow of water through the sprinklers. These parameters will help you determine the amount of water needed to keep the grass healthy.
Drainage
Good drainage is an essential component of your sports field. It is especially so during heavy rains when you cannot control the amount of water on the field. Too much water will make the surface slippery thus exposing players to falls. The sports field should have a slope to improve surface water runoff. Land drainage coils, French drains and sand-slit drains are excellent sub-surface drainage systems.
Underground drainage systems maintenance schedules should include checking the outflow for blocks and installing catch pits. You could also wrap the drain pipes with a geotextile membrane to prevent small soil particles from blocking the pipes. Over time, you may need to install a gravel layer to improve the permeability of the soil.
Fertilisation and Weed Control
Use approved herbicides to control weeds on the pitch. Consider organic fertiliser to improve soil nutrients. Other than being environmentally friendly, organic fertilisers improve soil drainage and structure. The grass should be regularly mowed to the appropriate height.
Some landscaping companies specialise in the maintenance of sports fields. They are an ideal choice for schools and teams that do not have the expertise to maintain the sports field.
With the above tips, you should have an easy time maintaining grass at a sports field. Choose the right grass, use appropriate irrigation methods, install an efficient drainage system, inspect the grounds for weeds and consider organic fertilisers. Speak to a professional who provides sports field maintenance services to learn more.
