Module 4:

4.3 When are they used?

Introduction

1  

The time of year when materials are typically used on a football pitch can vary depending on arrange of factors, including geographic location of the pitch, length of the growing season, prevailing weather and ground conditions and the quality of the pitch it is being maintained to.

2  

If you can think back to Module 3, Section 3, (assuming you have followed the course in sequence) then you should already have an idea for when materials are typically applied to a pitch.

The following guides also provide a general overview.

3   4.3.1 Fertilisers

There are usually two key periods for using fertiliser: a spring (March / April/ early May) and then late summer / early autumn fertiliser (August to September).

Other additional options may also be considered, including:

• A supplementary feed or feeds from May to early August. This might take the form of a liquid fertiliser rather than granular one.
• A late autumn (for winter) feed in October or November. This might be more appropriate for pitches located in the south where growth can be continuous, albeit often slow at times, during throughout the winter.

More frequent and specific fertiliser programmes are carried out, especially for higher quality and high specification pitches which include undersoil heating and supplementary lighting.