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Soccer & Futebol

SOCCER TURFGRASSES Soccer fields are basically handled in the same maintenance and grass selection manner as football fields.   Soccer does require a more uniform turf surface (smooth) without damage that can make a ball bounce off its "true course".  Ball response is also important in Soccer, Lacrosse and Hockey requiring generally low mowing heights.

Heights are suggested to be between 3/4 and 1.5 inches for best usage and to keep fast ball speeds.  Drainge construction is also important in Soccer field designs.  Wear areas near goals require more attention by the turf manage and also Soccer fields are generally mowed more frequently (3-4 times / week) than football to maintain the faster (lower mowed) turf desired.

WARM SEASON

Bermudagrass is the DOMINATE choice for Soccer due to Bermuda's excellent turf quality and the ability to be mowed low for faster Athletic usage speeds.

TRANSITIONAL

In the transitional zone Tall Fescues and Bermudas are both used.  There really is NOT a perfect choice for this area.  Most Tall Fescue varieties requires a 2" height for adequate maintenance and thus lower mowing heights such as are desirable in Soccer are harder to obtain.  Also Tall Fescue is a bunch type requiring high rates of re-seeding to avoid and repair any damaged areas.  Newer varieties called "dwarf" types are preferable because they can be mowed lower.

Bermudagrasses are impacted by their off color during winter dormancy and the higher risk of plant loss due to winter kill from low temperatures.  Bermudagrass fields must also be overseeded each fall with Ryegrasses (during a break in schedule) to avoid playing on dormant / brown fields in the fall.  Additional re-seeding of ryegrass as the season progresses is usually required. 

Kentucky Bluegrass is also used in the more NORTHERN parts of the transitional zone.  Maintenance is usually around 1-2 inches with 2 inches preferable.  It does have one big benefit and that is that the rhizomes repair damaged turf over time without re-seeding and can be mowed lower without problems.

COOL SEASON

Here in this area Kentucky Bluegrass is the DOMINATE choice.  Its aggressive growth and recuperative abilities (rhizomes) make it the # 1 choice.  It is also considered a safer playing surface because of the cushioning effects of its thatch layer.  Bluegrass is though slow  to fully establish, taking generally 1 year to mature.  You can generally seed in spring with use beginning in the fall.   Perennial Ryegrass is often added to mixtures of Bluegrass for field use, especially for fast repair jobs.

         Helping make sports fun - All with sports turf seeds from Seedland... You will find our seeds are quality produced and tested to provide the best playing surface possible for your particular sport.

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