Soil Aeration

The action of improving air content within a soil. It also relates to the capability of a soil to exchange soil air with atmospheric air. There needs to be adequate air-filled porosity within a soil, typically at least 10%, for good oxygen exchange to take place, whilst under waterlogged conditions a soil can become anaerobic, with the oxygen being used up, in a short period of time. Denitrification occurs as oxygen is reduced, releasing N2O, and this can be followed by a build-up of high levels of some elements, in particular iron and manganese, which can be toxic to plant growth. The disorde

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  Soil Bed Preparation

To make sure a good finish is achieved the key is in a well-prepared and even surface to lay turf or sow grass seed on. Time spent at this stage will be well rewarded because the finished area will not sink and will stay fairly even and firm afterwards. Inadequate preparation will result in the area sinking unevenly and end up with undulations all over it ¯ this is a typical sign of poor preparation work and poor workmanship.

  Soil Conditioner

A material which improves the soil biological activity, the potential for root growth and overall health of a soil.

  Sole Plate

The bottom blade of a cylinder mower.

  Sowing

The application of grass seed to a surface, as in ‘sowing seed'.

  Spiked Roller

A heavy hand roller with many metal nail-like spikes, about 30 to 40mm in length, attached. Typical widths of a spiked roller are 300mm; 600mm and 900mm. These are ideal for regular aeration during the summer months on fine turf surfaces to help create hundreds of holes per square metre. This also helps aid water penetration and to maintain a good turf surface to atmosphere air exchange; all without any surface disturbance.

  Spiking

Penetration of a turf surface with tines to improve aeration. This could, for example, be either solid or slit tines. It is sometimes used to just mean solid tine aeration so clarification of the term would be needed when discussing with others to avoid ambiguity.

  Spinning Disc

An item of equipment which has a hopper for the material, which is usually either a fertiliser or grass seed, to be placed in and a small, adjustable, gap though which the material falls onto a disc. The disc spins a full 360 degrees and throws out the material in a wide swath. The material is broadcast over an area, hence the other name for this type of spreader being a broadcast spreader.

  Spray Drift

Incorrect spray application can lead to contamination and pollution of adjacent land, water, wildlife, properties and people. Understanding the causes of spray drift will help to minimise the risk and ideally eliminate it from occurring. A range of factors can influence the potential for spray drift, including: • Prevailing weather conditions, with wind speed being a major factor to consider. “The safest conditions in which to spray are when it is cool and humid with a steady wind of 2 to 4 miles an hour or 3.2 to 6.5 kilometres an hour (light breeze) blowing away from any sensiti

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  Spray Line Marker

An item of equipment which is used for marking out using special marking paint which is sprayed through a nozzle onto a surface.