Football Pitch Wetting agents

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The use of wetting agents where dry patch conditions exist, especially on the more highly maintained and specially constructed sand pitches, can help to ensure adequate soil moisture is available to a plant.

For the majority of pitches this shouldn’t be an issue, but there may be localised areas which might benefit, particularly following renovation and overseeding. However, always, check it really is needed before application.

Applications vary depending upon the product. If a product requires from 1 to 2 litres per 1,000m² and if a central third of a pitch is to be treated at renovation time, or just before, and over the summertime then maybe 4 to 6 applications might be required. The total concentrate for this example would therefore be 2 to 4 litres per application, equating to 8 to 24 litres in total, so 1 to 3 x 10l bottles at around £100 - £250 per 10-litres. Where limited use of wetting agent is desirable, then two applications possibly in May and then June/July might be a consideration.

The use of wetting agents, where required, would typically be considered a short to medium term practice, with the aim being to adjust maintenance practices to encourage a situation where they are no longer needed. The focus of addressing this will be to encourage a deep-rooted grass that is more able to withstand dry conditions.

Allowing grasses to grow to maturity may require a rethink of end of season renovation practices for some pitch quality grades. Stripping a surface to produce a bare, or very thin, surface for overseeding perpetuates a cycle of young seedlings over the drier summer periods, when deep root growth would help counter many dry spells.

Removing relatively shallow rooted annual meadow grass will still be required, but where deeper rooted perennial ryegrass already dominates a pitch then more selective renovation practices should be considered to help build on what already exists.

Unfortunately, many grassroot clubs try to emulate the practices carried out on professional club pitches, or those that are higher quality ones than they are able to produce with their soil type or resources.