4.3 When are they used?
4.3.3 Grass seed
There are two main periods when grass seed is used.
- At renovation time, which is typically late April or May. However, where grass seed establishment has not been as successful as desired and there are still some thin areas, then an additional, localised, overseed might be carried out in June.
- During the early part of the playing season, especially August to October, as a component of a divot mixture for post-match repairs. This practice might continue into November and December if there is a quantity of seed that left over from the renovation and any post-renovation works. You just as well use up any remaining seed rather than leave it in a store where it will typically loose its germination potential over the winter period and would otherwise be a waste of an expensive material. Purchasing seed specifically for this purpose for most pitches would not usually be a cost-effective approach to pitch management. The grounds manager needs to have a good understanding of the typical local micro-climate conditions, as well as intensity of usage, to inform them on what is required for their pitch or pitches.
However, for higher quality pitches, especially those with supplementary lighting and undersoil heating then this process would typically continue over the November to March period.
