The Natural Step

Four basic rules, or sustainability principles, which can be contextualised to turf management:

• Reduce the use of artificial materials, for example plastics, and do not pollute the environment with synthetic compounds, CO2 emissions, as well as waste production. Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of materials that are used.

• Reduce natural resource consumption and use, for example, mined material including sands, all of which helps to reduce CO2 emissions due to extraction and distribution of natural resources. This can also lead to potential monetary savings, increases the use of renewables and promotes cradle to cradle thinking.

• Do not degrade nature by physical means, including reducing erosion, reducing groundwater sources, overusing amenity spaces, reducing biodiversity. Identify and then (actively) manage surfaces in accordance with their carrying capacity.

• Encourage the health, well-being and development of self and others. Reducing personal stress and improving quality of life and workplace provides for a more positive outcome.

(See The Natural Step )

Based on the above criteria, clearly define what is meant by sustainable when managing a turfgrass surface. If we wish to achieve a sustainable outcome then the following provides some initial, yet not too extensive, thoughts.

How might sustainability relate to the range of materials used in maintaining a turfgrass surface, especially top-dressings, grass seed, fertilisers, water, pesticides, marking paint, in relation to the desired or required (which can have two different meanings) quality of surface? Do not exceed requirements as this can mean unnecessary, inefficient and costly use of materials. How efficient is the machinery in its use of fuel? How much renewable energy is used and how much of the machinery fleet is powered by rechargeable batteries? Reflect on the cost-effectiveness of all maintenance activities when planning the relevant work programme. Correlate this to the playing performance that can or is achieved and continually improve on maintenance and management practices, whilst focusing on optimum efficiency.

Reflect on plant science and how a healthy, hard wearing sward is to be achieved without compromising these principles of sustainability. This may mean slightly raising the height of cut, increasing potential root development, reducing the quantity and frequency of irrigation, reducing pesticide inputs, adapting aeration practices to reduce surface hardness, renovation practices to recycle and reuse soil or rootzone on an existing surface, etc.

Make optimum use of environmental and weather conditions to get the most from all inputs, whilst achieving the desired playing performance. It really is a holistic approach to grounds management that is needed, not just the application of a fertiliser that provides a pleasing green colour after a short period of time yet reduces food reserves that have built up within the root system, or the application of a fungicide that clears up a disease attack yet contributes little to building up turf resilience from desirable micro-organisms and those micro-organisms that are antagonistic to turfgrass diseases.

Actively managing a surface in accordance with its carrying capacity includes not just holistic management practices but also communicating this to and involving others in managing expectations from the produced surface. Publishing a regular (annual?) sustainability report can help to raise awareness amongst the local and user communities, as well as encourage a more open and transparent approach to grounds management, reducing the potential for greenwashing to creep into decisions.

A desire to have pristine surfaces at all times is often portrayed within the media, some high-profile ground staff and sales companies. However, how realistic and desirable is this - which is essentially just a social construct, being only a subjective opinion at the time, often influenced by others. Is not sustainability more important than a social construct? Yes, it is, and it needs to drive the environmental, economic and social decisions of management: sustainability is essentially an integrated management approach.
[Updated 26/07/2026]