Water
We often take water for granted but it is remarkable.
Consider this: every bit of water that you come across in your daily life has existed since Planet Earth was formed. Whether in liquid, gas or frozen form, it has been around for billions of years. There is no ‘new’ water; we cannot produce it.
Water is essential for pitch maintenance and should be viewed as an important tool. Its job is to maintain the health of the grass plant and the structure of the soil – and like any tool can cause damage if misused.
Water is also used to enhance the speed of the ball over the pitch and managers and players at all levels of the game generally prefer to play on a slick surface.
How it’s used
✅ Applied via an irrigation system or by hand and naturally with rain fall.
✅ Consider collecting grey water off pavilion roofs etc. for use on the ground.
Timing
Irrigation in the winter months is usually not required unless you have a sand based pitch. However, it may be required in the spring through to early autumn. Additionally irrigation during the summer months may be required to:
- 🚰 Aid maintenance operations such as aeration.
- 🚰 Aid grass recovery after play.
- 🚰 Maintain turf growth and health.
- 🚰 Facilitate a level of impact absorbency.
- 🚰 Facilitate fertiliser applications.
- 🚰 Germinate seed.
- 🚰 Prevent turf stress.
- 🚰 Affect speed of ball across the pitch.
Effects of incorrect procedure
- ⚠️ Over watering can create a soft playing surface, encourage weed grasses and lead to shallow rooting.
- ⚠️ Under watering can lead to turf stress, discoloration of the turf and an over hard, unplayable or even dangerous surface.
- ⚠️ Death of the grass plant.
Equipment selection
Storage tanks, pumps, hose pipes, mobile sprinklers, automatic irrigation systems and the good old watering can.
Practical tips
If you store water on site have it tested once a year for pH, nutrients and amount of oxygen, if it sits for long periods legionella testing may also be necessary.