Summer 2004

Q: What is the preferred seed mix for a soccer field?

A: The preferred seed mix for a soccer field is a Kentucky bluegrass-perennial ryegrass mix.

The mix should contain 80% by weight of bluegrass and 20% by weight of turf type perennial ryegrass. Each species should be a blend of the dealer's top cultivars. The seed should be certified Canada No 1 seed. The seeding rate is 1.5 to 2.0 kilograms of seed per 100 m2.

Kentucky bluegrass is chosen as the principal species in the mix because it has the ability to spread by means of rhizomes and thus to cover bare spots or thicken the stand which has been damaged by wear from the players shoes. Turf type perennial ryegrass is included in the mix to provide a rapid soil cover as it will emerge in 5 to 8 days whereas bluegrass will be 10 to 15 days. Ryegrass, however, does not spread and is more subject to winter damage than bluegrass.

The success of establishment is highly dependant on the condition of the seed bed at, and immediately after, planting. The soil should be firm, but not compacted. Seeding with a cultipacker type seeder is an advantage as it firms the surface and aids in covering the seed.

A point that is often overlooked is that the soil surface should be kept damp at all times until the grass seedlings are fully emerged. This will require watering every few hours on clear days, particularly during mid day when the sun is strong. The phosphorus fertility test in the upper 15 cm of the soil should be rated high prior to seeding. If not, the amount of phosphorus recommended for establishment and based on a soil test should be incorporated into the root zone during the final stages of surface preparation.

Bob Sheard, PhD, P.Ag.
Consultant, Guelph Turfgrass Institute

Summer 2003

Q: I am looking for information on use levels for natural sports fields. I found an article published in the Sports Turf Manager from December 1999 which was helpful but would like more current information.

A: Your question is one we all wish we could answer better. There are no rules on how much play a field can get – it is a decision often left to the turf manager.

However, we both know it is not as simple as that. Trying to balance the needs of the customer (the user groups), administration (those who deal with permitting), weather (wet, drought), and the condition of the turf is next to impossible at times. Trying to keep your playing surface safe with high quality turf throughout the season is the goal. Unfortunately, when turf, especially on soccer fields, becomes so worn that we try to shut down the field, it often becomes a huge political deal even to get two weeks closure.

Here are some of the basic guidelines we follow. Generally, if we allow play early in the season, we shut the field down in September. If we allow play late in the fall, we do not open the field until June. We are trying to reach a standard where by irrigated fields open May 15 and shut down September 1. But clearly, we are a long way from that. As of the first week of November, we still have some field hockey in play on irrigated fields. The user groups cannot compress their schedules any more – they will fight any shortening of their season. Taking a close look at the age of the group using the fields is a good way to regulate turf damage. We are considering no adult play this year on a new sand field. Until now, player age on the field was decided by the size of the field with little consideration for turf.

I hope this helps. It seems your question is commonly asked, so clearly this problem stretches across Canada. Let me know if you design a set of standards – I and others would be very interested.

Jane Arnett-Rivers (past STA President)
Supervisor of Parks
Town of Oakville

Spring 2003

Q: I am a Landscape Architect in Burlington and am attempting to address the confusion that appears to be going on in this area regarding Sports Turf.

One of the complaints I am hearing, and quite frankly I agree, is the use of the word Sports Turf. Sod growers, contractors and even City staff seem to be asking what is this Sports Turf? To date in my search I have no definitive answer, let alone anyone agree on what should be used on sports fields. One group says Kentucky Bluegrass varieties only while the other opts for a mixture with Red Fescues and Perennial Ryegrasses. One group says seeding is better than sodding while the other says sodding is better than seeding. I give up!

So please call me to arrange for immediate delivery of Dr. Sheard's book. Thank you.

A: Sports Turf does not refer to any grass species or variety. It is a general term referring to all environments growing grass species as a surface on which sports of many types - golf, soccer, football, horse racing, to name a few - can be conducted.

The preferred species for most sports fields is Kentucky bluegrass. It is superior to red fescue and perennial ryegrass for two reasons. Kentucky bluegrass root system forms underground stems, known as rhizomes, which spread into vacant spaces in the turf stand, enabling the species to repopulate areas damaged by play. The rhizome root system also provides a tightly knitted root system which is resistant to the tearing action of the player's foot.

Dr. R. W. Sheard
Sports Turf Association

Winter 2002

Q: A soccer field is being watered at a rate of 19 cu. meters per day. Is this too much, or too little?

A:  The daily loss of water from the field will be either by transpiration from the leaves or evaporation from and the soil surface. The combined loss is called evapotranspiration (ET) and is usually measured in inches or millimeters per day. The rate of ET is dependant on sunshine, temperature, humidity and wind speed. As a result, water loss will vary widely from day to day as these four factors vary. During August of 2002 at Guelph, Ontario it has been very dry and sunny. The average ET has been 0.17 inches per day, but has ranged from 0.06 inches per day to 0.236 inches per day depending on the daily weather conditions.

An irrigation rate of 19 meters per day translates into 0.18 inches per day. This rate of application was perfect for the month of August, 2002, because on average the irrigation will replace all the water which was lost each day by ET.

Irrigating at this rate, however, does not take into account any rainfall which may have occurred. It would appear that the rate does not take into account whatever rain was received which would be lost as drainage water. Furthermore, the rate does not take into account the change in evaporative demand which changes with the time of season. The demand is lowest in April and October and peaks during July and August.

It is feasible to schedule irrigation to match the evaporative demand on a daily basis using a simple water budget based on daily recording of temperature, sunshine, wind, humidity and rainfall. The only instruments required are a rain gauge and a thermometer. Sunshine, wind and humidity are estimated by simple visual observations each afternoon. The procedure for doing a water budget was originally described in the December, 1992, issue of the Sports Turf Manager and has been upgraded since in Understanding Turf Management. The budget can be calculated manually or on a computer using any spread sheet program.

The use of a water budget can be cost saving where high water charges exist, or in situations where water is in short supply. Why waste water?

Dr. R. W. Sheard
Sports Turf Association