Organic, Sports Soil Restructuring...

.... bringing stability back into sport turf surfaces
 
We believe poor soil structure is one of the biggest causes of failure in sports surfaces. Yet it often goes unrecognised.

While many will try and 'drain away' the problem this could simply be an expensive waste of time.

No matter how much water you can shift from the surface, failing to provide roots with the right environment for growth will result in turf that doesn't perform.

One of the best ways of improving long-term structure is to boost a soils organic matter.

Organic matter plays a key role in bonding the soil together and stabilising any natural structure. It also play a key role in holding nutrients in the soil close to the root.

Improving Soil Organic Matter

SOL have been developing innovative new approaches to assess the organic matter needs of sports turf soils.

By utilising specialist scanning technology we can determine the existing levels of organic matter in the soil, and assess the texture, structure and nutrient status of the soil with just one pass of a quad bike.

From this, our soil scientists calculate the exact quantities and blend of organic material required to bring the site back into balance.

The next step is to track down a supply of organic matter. More often than not, this can be sourced from local councils or water companies who have a ready-made supply of composted organic wastes.

Depending on the quantity required for the site, this organic matter material is either top-dressed then incorporated using core aeration tines or through cultivation techniques.

Benefits

The SOL approach is incredibly environmentally friendly. Often, councils may benefit from government and EU recycling initiative schemes.

So, not only does the soil and playing surface benefit, but you too can gain from a positive local PR position.

Proven Benefits

Incorporation of organic matter improves soil structure and biological balance and in turn increases plant health through:

• Increasing large pore space
• Increasing air porosity
• Increasing infiltration
• Reducing surface ponding, capping
• Increasing water holding capacity in droughty soils reducing irrigation needs
• Improving fertiliser retention and reducing leaching
• Improving turf disease resistance
• Improving biodiversity of the soil
• Reducing black layer
• Improving rooting depth and density