TURF MASTER
Soil Compaction
Soil Compaction is a common
problem within turf management
across the U.K. With foot traffic, and
weather conditions being two major
factors causing soil compaction,
which reduces pore space and
increases soil density.
Soil compaction varies with soil
texture, moisture content, area
use and amount of traffic on each
specific site. Soils with a high clay
content will compact far quicker
due to clay being the smallest type
of soil particles, with 1,000 times
the surface area in a given volume
of soil, compared with larger sandy
soil particles. This results in the clay
particles packing together tightly
under pressure of play/foot traffic.
This summer’s prolonged heat and
sunshine has converted compacted clay
soils into ‘concrete’, totally preventing
penetration of roots and moisture either
from rainwater or irrigation which
reduces the all-important air, water
and nutrient movement, pitch/green
health and quality declines. In these
conditions, newly sown grass plants will
burn off rapidly, leaving bare cracked
areas ready for weeds to invade, which
is not a nice look for any turf surface.
Within the soil profile roots will struggle
to penetrate through the compacted
layer.
All soil types will suffer from
compaction to a certain degree so it
is important to carry out the correct
maintenance techniques to avoid the
problems occurring on your pitch/
green/lawn.
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Landscape & Urban Design Issue 34 2018