Unique Solutions to Waterlogging!

2014 has already provided the headache of waterlogging for many sportsturf managers. Terrain Aeration continue to provide solutions to this problem as they have done since 1998.

One fine example of this solution process can be seen at Mayfield Rugby Club in Rochdale. The wet summer of 2012 caused major waterlogging and it was at this time that David Kay was appointed Head Groundsman.

His previous experience of managing fine turf (bowling greens) meant he knew of the services offered by Terrain Aeration and contacted them, once funds had been made available.

The Terralift machine was employed to alleviate the issue and together with their own surface aeration work, this has erased the problem. Photographic evidence shows how the Terralift machine relieved the compaction pan layer so water was able to percolate into the subsoil.

Air injected into the root zone means that the roots have oxygen, which is vital and encourages a stronger root growth resulting in a healthier sward. As a result more games can be played as the waterlogging problems have been relieved.

Cost effective treatment

Sometimes not all of pitch surfaces require deep aeration treatment. The worst areas are usually straight down the centre of the pitch which equates to a day's worth of work using the Terralift machine.

Once treated, deep aeration would not be required for possibly 5-7 years, so it provides huge cost-effective savings for the club. The Terralift is an economic way of "kickstarting" your pitch by breathing life back into compacted soil, especially since heavy rains will have created their own compaction during this time.

Once the treated pitch at Mayfield was playable it was noticeable that the adjacent pitch was itself, waterlogged. On the evidence of how well the first pitch was playing, the same process was undertaken on this surface in 2013 with similar outstanding results.

Telephone: 01449 673783 or visit www.terrainaeration.co.uk