After the weight of the snow, combined with freezing conditions all turf has suffered. The snow has blocked what little restricted winter daylight light there is and will have weakened the plants. Fungi growth and infections are slowed down by the snow but still thrive with the grass to feed on.
Melting snow on frozen ground still produces waterlogging on the top surface as the water cannot drain through frozen ground. Many of the problems lie underground, out of sight, and will remain and cause problems unless dealt with preferably in a cost effective way.
Advice from Lynda Green at Terrain Aeration is to ensure a healthy sward by decompacting and aerating the surface as soon as it can be walked over and when the ground has defrosted. This will produce oxygen around the roots and get them breathing again. An open and aerated soil provides stronger root growth which means a healthier sward without expensive herbicides and pesticides.
Deep aeration using the Terralift system is undoubtedly a cost effective and long term solution than just top surface aeration. The 1¼” diameter Terralift probe holes are placed in a two-metre staggered grid pattern, each probe reaching one metre. The Terralift machine is unique in that it can inject dried seaweed which swells with the moisture content in the soil helping to keep the fractures and fissures open longer.
Using the Terralift addresses the problem of flooding, quickly, effieciently and with minimum surface disrutption, allowing surface water to percolate quicker from the top surface to one metre depth.
Getting a playable working surface means income for the clubs, so the sooner this is done the greater the financial benefits.
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