Soil Management

Annual soil and water testing are sources of important data that should form a strong part of turf management decision making. Whilst they may get periodically performed, sometimes these tests are considered independent of each other, or analysed in isolation from other relevant factors which means we can miss the opportunity to join some dots on critical interactions occurring between them.

Knowing the physical and chemical properties of a soil is critical to the development and success of nutrient, irrigation and renovation programs.

Whilst there are differing views on how to test, interpret, modify and support good soil chemistry there is a consensus in the turf management fraternity that the root systems we so heavily depend on need a healthy soil environment.

Annual soil testing allows us to monitor for both significant and subtle changes in our soil chemistry. It is the monitoring, data archiving and review over time that allows us to amend our soils steadily, ensuring the changes we initiate are based in evidence and as much as possible occur at speeds and in ways nature cooperates with.

Achieving healthy soil and turf requires a focus on the combination of biological processes, chemical interactions, and physical characteristics. These three factors depend on each other to work effectively, and any imbalances can eventually lead to the challenges we face daily such as disease, nutritional deficiencies, and poor drainage.

High surface activity in the form of human (ground staff, players) or machinery and equipment (mowers, carts, etc.) traffic has a major impact on compaction.

Soil compaction is a reduction in pore space due to a consolidation of the solid phase, resulting in increased density and reduced porosity. The consolidation of the soil generally occurs when downwards pressure is placed on the turf surface.

While the soil analysis itself is important, it is the correct interpretation of the results that leads to improvement of soil conditions, in turn resulting in a healthy turfgrass plant. Nuturf’s soil analysis provides the customer with an important tool, offering the flexibility to interpret the results using the method most suited to the specific soil conditions, or simply according to the customer’s personal preferences.