Properly caring for stadium turf is the foundation of a successful match. If the pitch surface is uneven, hard, and water-impermeable, it can affect not only the quality of play but also increase the risk of injury. Therefore, Mr. Green Grass Sport offers a professional and comprehensive programme consisting of numerous sports pitch maintenance treatments, carried out to provide players with turf of the highest world standard.
Aeration
On intensively used lawns, aeration is an extremely important maintenance treatment. It is performed with aerating machines, called aerators, which have various design solutions. The intensity of games and meetings on the grass, as well as the use of tools and equipment for turf care, under unfavourable weather conditions, causes the formation of compacted condensation zones on the turf. As a result, this negatively affects water and air management, leading to a deterioration in the quality of the grass on the football pitch.
Thanks to aeration, gas exchange and management in the soil are enhanced. During the growing season and significant turf growth, i.e. from April to September, soil aeration has a particularly beneficial effect on the development of grass blades. In spring and late summer, it stimulates root growth. Scientific research has shown that aerating sports surfaces that are damaged and strained by use has a positive effect on optimal growth and grass renewal processes. Furthermore, systematic aeration contributes to reducing losses resulting from excessive water evaporation. Moreover, it increases the efficiency of fertilisers and raises the average soil temperature in the root zone. It also increases the elasticity of the turf, as well as its regenerative capacity. Lawns that contain many floatable parts in the bearing layer and are frequently used require aeration at least twice a year. In our climate, the most appropriate time for aeration is from spring to autumn.
Pitch turf fertilisation
Mr. Green Grass applies a sports turf fertilisation programme 4 times a year. We visit the football pitch regularly, approximately every 8 weeks. This ensures the sports lawn receives the correct nutrition at the right time and in a controlled manner. Depending on the season, we apply appropriate fertilisers tailored to the conditions on the pitch.
The fertiliser mixes we use are based on a special, innovative Enhanced GRF (Gradual Release Fertiliser) formula, which allows them to work several times longer and in a more controlled way than popular lawn fertilisers. Furthermore, the programme contains a perfectly balanced formula, ensuring proper fertilisation of the sports lawn throughout the year. The maintenance method and type of fertilisers are tailored to needs, based on an analysis performed by an expert from Mr. Green Grass.
Early Spring Lawn Feed – Quick Recovery – Mr. Green Grass®
Price range: £9,95 through £34,95
Spring Lawn Feed – Intensive Growth – Mr. Green Grass®
Price range: £19,95 through £69,95
Summer Lawn Feed – Complete Protection – Mr. Green Grass®
Price range: £19,95 through £69,95
Autumn Plant Feed – Winter Hibernation – Mr. Green Grass®
Price range: £19,95 through £44,95Watering
The vital role of proper pitch irrigation is best seen during periods of drought, when the grass is in very poor condition in most cases, and ad hoc watering does not bring the desired results. To prevent this, constant soil moisture must be maintained. The average daily water requirement is approx. 4 litres of water/m2, while in the spring and summer period, it can be up to approx. 7.5 – 15 litres of water/1m2. Well-watered soil must be moist to a depth of at least 10-15 cm. Then the grass roots have a greater ability to grow and the turf itself is more resistant to trampling during drought.
To improve the watering process, we offer a self-propelled travelling sprinkler, powered by water pressure. This is undoubtedly an effective and relatively cheap tool for irrigating large-scale grass areas. To some extent, it replaces automatic irrigation systems, while the cost of the sprinkler is incomparably lower.
Mowing
Mowing should be carried out regularly and to a strictly defined height. The biggest mistake is allowing the grass to go to seed. The recommended height for football pitch grass is 3 to 3.5 cm, and during periods of drought and winter up to 4 cm. It is recommended to mow no more than 30% of the height, which prevents weakening of the lawn.
Rolling
Rolling is performed in early spring, after the pitch has dried out. The treatment aims to press the turf against the bearing layer. Too frequent rolling causes excessive compaction of the root layer of the pitch surface, which prevents water, oxygen, and fertilisers from reaching the roots.
Scarification
Scarification involves vertical cutting of the turf. Shallow cutting of the lawn aims to partially remove the thatch layer, creating better conditions for the flow of air, water, and fertilisers to the root zone. Scarification treatment should be performed in combination with top dressing and overseeding. By using scarification, we increase the elasticity of the lawn and the permeability of the soil, which is compacted in the lower layers.
Thatch is densely cut by scarifying blades and then collected from the pitch surface. Young grass thus gains more space for proper development, as water, air, and nutrients have easy access to their roots.
The machine removes thatch, moss, and weeds. The treatment is recommended to be performed during the growing season, during the break between matches, or as needed.
Repairing local damage
Damage occurs as a result of local intensive use or improper maintenance. Repairing it involves filling gaps with turf or by overseeding, which is used in the case of small damage.
Brushing
The treatment should be performed as needed, usually on average once a month. Brushing aims to remove dead plant parts, lift flattened grass, and clean the pitch surface.
Controlling competing vegetation
Weeding the pitch surface is intended to remove undesirable plants that compete with the proper, high-quality grass. Excessive weed growth leads to a reduction in the functional value of the pitch, and in extreme cases, to complete degradation. Meanwhile, the grass seed mixes used for pitch surfaces are selected to be resistant to physical conditions, weather, and loads occurring during play.
Mr. Green Grass uses preventive weeding with high-class products, thanks to which the pitch surface achieves high agrotechnical and functional properties throughout the growing season.
Overseeding grass
During intensive use of the turf, local, minor gaps often occur. It also often happens that as a result of improper grass mowing, the turf becomes thin. In such cases, we use overseeding with specialist regenerative mixes.
This treatment is performed in combination with scarification, aeration, and top dressing, thanks to which the seeds germinate quickly, and the clumps tiller strongly, creating a compact, dense turf. By using appropriate grass mixes, we restore the physical and technical properties of the pitch surface in a short time.
Sports Lawn Seed Mix – Pro Performance – Mr. Green Grass®
Price range: £29,95 through £55,95- Strong turf resistant to trampling and low mowing
- Quick recovery from damage
- Composition containing grass seed of the highest quality
- Ideal for sports pitches and back gardens
- Efficient packaging covers a large area (only 20 g/m²)
Top dressing
As it is used, the turf becomes increasingly compacted and poorly permeable. The grass suffers, while mosses, algae, and weeds benefit. The solution to this problem, as well as to heavy and clayey soil, is top dressing the lawn. This treatment involves covering its surface with a 3-5 millimetre layer of sand. Primarily, it increases the permeability and porosity of the substrate, thanks to which new, stronger roots and grass runners appear. Moreover, it levels any unevenness of the terrain, smooths the pitch, and raises the ground level. This results in the thickening of the turf, and also eliminates surface moisture and soil smearing. It aims to counteract grass thatchiness, maintain good soil structure, and regulate turf permeability.
The effect of these actions is the improvement and enhancement of the grass surface of the sports facility. Top dressing brings the greatest effects when used in combination with scarification, aeration, and sometimes also with rolling.
Maintenance log
Mr. Green Grass, in addition to performing all the treatments described above, also maintains a maintenance log. This is one of the most important tools for proper pitch maintenance. The stadium surface analysis documents the state before maintenance and allows us to select appropriate sports pitch maintenance treatments, while the log documents the progress of individual stages. Thanks to this, we can react on an ongoing basis to changing conditions on the pitch. The log allows for the recording of all favourable and unfavourable factors affecting the state of the turf. It ensures the timeliness and quality of treatments performed by the company and the pitch caretaker.
