British Sugar TOPSOIL launches
new Sports & Turf dressing
British Sugar TOPSOIL has announced the launch of its second new product
this year, Sports & Turf - a free-draining winter turf dressing ideal for use on
winter games pitches, golf tees and approaches, and domestic lawns.
S
ports & Turf is a blend
of 80% sand and
20% of British Sugar
TOPSOIL’s BS3882:2015
certified topsoil. The
sand is predominantly
medium to coarse (67%) and sub
angular in shape, which assists
free drainage and promotes good
integration into the surface of
the turf. The soil within the blend
contains both phosphorous and
potassium, which contributes
to soil fertility and encourages
healthy growth.
Sports & Turf has been tested
and analysed by the Sports Turf
Research Institute (STRI) and they
are now carrying out two replicated trials - on golf tee turf and
on fairway turf - at their research
facility in Bingley, West Yorkshire.
The turf comprises grass species
also commonly found in winter
66 Landscape & Urban Design
games pitches and lawns and the
trials will test the effects of the
topdressing treatment on grass
growth, turf health, turf colour
and surface playability.
The new topdressing, at three
different application rates – 2
kg, 4kg and 6 kg/m2/year - will
be compared with an untreated
control and with the same three
application rates of sand only,
on both turf types. The initial
applications of topdressing and
sand were made in October with
a second application planned for
spring 2017. The trials will conclude at the end of June 2017.
Sports & Turf is also being
trialled on the formal lawns
of Kings College, Cambridge,
where Senior Horticulturist Steve
Coghill has recently applied 40
tonnes of the winter topdress-
ing. Steve is responsible for the
beautiful parkland that surrounds the historic Kings College.
Working with British Sugar TOPSOIL he agreed to trial Sports &
Turf on areas where the grass has
suffered from compaction and
poor drainage, and he has been
delighted with the results so far:
“British Sugar TOPSOIL’s Sports
& Turf is a fantastic dressing,
promoting growth and helping
improve drainage. It is also an
excellent substrate for sports turf
renovation and repair.”
Sports & Turf is now available.
For further information call
our sales team on
01733 422 438.