A Year in the life of a sports turf maintenance team: how Soil Scout data elevates the game
The life of a sports turf maintenance team is a cycle of preparation, maintenance, and recovery, all aimed at providing athletes with a safe and optimal playing surface. This demanding job requires constant attention to detail, as well as the ability to adapt to ever-changing weather conditions, usage demands, and input volatility. In recent years, technology has emerged as a valuable tool for turf professionals trying to surf the waves of change, with Soil Scout's wireless underground soil sensors leading the charge.
By providing real-time data – and long term trend insights – on soil moisture, temperature, salinity, and oxygen, Soil Scout helps groundskeepers make informed decisions and elevate their maintenance practices to a whole new level of effectiveness. And now, with the groundbreaking Happi100 sensor, balanced soil oxygen and moisture levels are finally part of the equation.
A year of turf, powered by data
Let's explore a typical year in the life of a sports turf maintenance team and see how Soil Scout sensor data, particularly the innovative Happi100, can make a difference at every stage:
- Pre-season: The pre-season preparation period of aerating, seeding, fertilising, and irrigation tweaks is the bedrock on which the rest of the season is delivered. Soil Scout sensors can help during this critical phase by providing real-time data on precise timings for irrigation and optimal seed germination.
- In-season: The playing season focus shifts to maintaining the field's health and playability. Soil Scout data enables groundskeepers to identify areas of stress or compaction, allowing for targeted interventions that keep the field in top condition.
"Data is highly important to me, and every groundsman you speak to will say the more data you can get the more insight you have into your pitch," said Steve Honey during his time as Grounds Manager at Brentford FC. With Happi100, groundskeepers can now also monitor soil oxygen levels, ensuring optimal root health and turf resilience.
Andrew Northern, Director of Grounds at Columbus Crew, echoes this sentiment, stating that Soil Scout "lets us know what is going on beneath the surface so we can make informed decisions."
- Post-season: Once the season ends, it's time for recovery and renovation. From overseeding to topdressing, and deep tine aeration, data helps guide these processes by providing insights into soil compaction and nutrient levels, ensuring that the field is ready for the next season. Happi100 further aids in this process by identifying areas with poor drainage or compaction, allowing for targeted aeration and improved soil health.
Bridging the knowledge gap: soil data for informed decision-making
While lack of agronomic education could lead to sub optimal maintenance practices, real-time, objective soil insights play a crucial role in bridging this knowledge gap and guiding critical decisions. As an example, monitoring temperatures and understanding moisture levels during winter months gives crucial insight into when certain surfaces may be susceptible to snow mold and other diseases. Root zone moisture and temperature readings also give a clear indication of when spring preparations can begin.
Happi100: A game-changer for soil oxygen monitoring
The Happi100 sensor is the world's first wireless, real-time soil oxygen sensor. By measuring soil oxygen levels alongside moisture and temperature, Happi100 provides turf professionals with a complete picture of soil health. This valuable data enables groundskeepers to:
- Prevent root hypoxia: Low soil oxygen levels can lead to root hair death and turf decline. Happi100 allows for early detection of hypoxia, enabling prompt intervention and preventing costly damage.
- Optimise aeration practices: Happi100 data helps identify areas that require aeration and optimise the timing, frequency, and extent of these practices, reducing disruption to play and saving resources.
- Improve drainage: By monitoring soil oxygen levels, maintenance teams can identify areas with poor drainage and take corrective action, ensuring optimal soil health and surface quality.
- Enhance sustainability: Happi100 data can help reduce water and fertiliser usage, promoting more sustainable turf management practices.
The future of sports turf management
As the sports industry continues to evolve, so too will the demands placed on turf professionals. Soil Scout's data-driven approach to turf management, spearheaded by the world-first Happi100 sensor, is helping groundskeepers meet these challenges head-on, ensuring that athletes have access to high-quality playing surfaces that are both safe and sustainable. Andrew Northern emphasises the importance of this data-driven approach, saying that Soil Scout "has given us confidence that what we are doing is correct."
