Contour Drainage

Pipe drainage which follows the contours of land. The drainage trenches and pipes will typically be positioned at the bottom of a dip or base of a bank, as this will be the lowest point for water to naturally drain to.

  Cricket Loam

A clay loam soil which will typically have from 25% to 35% clay content. There are a range of makes available, including (with some typical analyses): • Boughton: o County loam: 32% clay; 25% silt; 43% sand; ASSB = 70kg; pH 6.8 o Club loam: 28% clay; 19% silt; 53% sand; ASSB = 60kg; pH 6.8 o Kettering loam: 24% clay; 18% silt; 58% sand; ASSB = 54kg; pH 6.8 o Mendip loam: 28% clay; 26% silt; 45% sand; ASSB = 48kg; pH 6.5 o Kaloam: 38% clay; 42% silt; 20% sand; ASSB = 76kg; pH 7.5

  Critical Tension

The critical tension of a soil indicates how much water (measured by the height / depth of a column of water) is held in a soil (onto by a soil) after natural drainage has occurred. Smaller particles have higher critical tensions, resulting in lower drainage rates and producing a more saturated soil profile. The smaller the soil particles and the gaps between them, the stronger their suction capability and the stronger the attraction of water in slowing down the speed at which water can drain away. A medium sand might, for example, have a critical tension of 25cm with a drainage rate (hy

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  Crumb Structure

A type of soil structure where the soil particles are aggregated into a type of finer spherical shape which provides for a suitably drained soil which is ideal for a seed bed of for turfing.

  Culvert

A covered channel, often with a pipe, which allows water to flow beneath features such as pathways, roads, or embankments.

  Cut and Fill

This is a grading technique where high areas are cut and placed in the low areas to get an even surface. The benefits of this technique include being a relatively quick, simple and cheaper way of moving soil to create an even surface. Disadvantages though include there being an uneven depth of topsoil over the area and this will affect the growth rates of grasses, increase the swards susceptibility to drought conditions, produce a sporting surface with uneven playing characteristics because of the inconsistent depth of topsoil impacting on ball interactions such as rebound bounce as well as s

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  D Value

A value which is used to indicate that a certain amount, as a percentage, of particles have passed through a stated sieve size. For example, a D value of D25 for a sieve size of 0.5mm, means that 25% of the soil sample would pass through a sieve size of 0.5mm (500 microns), with the remaining 75% being retained in the sieve. To determine the central value for the particle diameter of a sample, a value of D50 is used. The D Value is frequently used to determine the Gradation Index of a soil.

  D10

A parameter used to indicate that 10% of the mass of sand / soil are less than a defined diameter for a particle size, being determined by the use of sieves. For example, if 10% of a material passed through a sieve of 0.125mm, then this would mean that 10% of the particles are less than 0.125mm whilst 90% would be greater than that size in diameter. The figure used with the D will vary according to requirements and is frequently used to determine the gradation index of a material, primarily a sand for used in sports turf applications.

  Deflocculated

A soil with poor soil structure.

  Deflocculation

The breaking down of a soil structure. Soils with relatively high sodium content are poorly structured due to the interaction the chemical element has had on the soil particles: It has caused soil aggregates to separate and disperse.