Module 6:

Turf science

6.1 Turfgrasses

1   Introduction

For this part of the module the questions we will ask and provide answers to are:

  • Why do I need to know a little bit about turfgrasses?
  • What is a turfgrass?
  • What is a desirable turfgrass?
  • What is an undesirable turfgrass?
  • How do grasses grow?
  • How do you identify turfgrasses?
    • Perennial ryegrass.
    • Annual meadow grass.

2   Why do I need to know a little bit about turfgrasses?

Grass grows and it is green, isn’t it?

Quite right, but there is a lot more to it than this and it is very helpful to have an understanding of what is a good grass for a football pitch and what is a poor grass when present on a pitch. This is especially useful if you are trying to make the most of your maintenance activities and the materials you put onto a pitch.

3   What is a turfgrass?

A grass species which is suitable for use in regularly mown and maintained swards.

4   What is a desirable turfgrass?

Have a go at this question first.

Do you know what the most desirable turfgrass is for a football pitch surface in the UK?

Which one of the following grasses do you think is the answer to this question?

Module progress: 2%