Articles
TURF ESTABLISHMENT ON HOSTILE SITES
Article number
195_8
Pages
71 – 80
Language
Abstract
Urban environments arising from the clearance of old buildings and other constructions can appear very hostile.
If grass is to be established the simplest method may seem to be to cover such sites with topsoil before seeding.
But this is expensive and not always effective.
An important alternative is to understand the nature of the site material and then to treat it direct.
The materials are usually physically satisfactory once stone-picked, and deficient for major plant nutrients only in nitrogen.
This can be provided by fertiliser, but a satisfactory long term nitrogen supply must be ensured.
This is most economically achieved by the inclusion of clover in the mixture.
Soil formation will subsequently be enhanced by earthworm activity.
The costs of such methods are approximately one tenth of those where topsoil is used, and can lead to high class self-sustaining swards.
If grass is to be established the simplest method may seem to be to cover such sites with topsoil before seeding.
But this is expensive and not always effective.
An important alternative is to understand the nature of the site material and then to treat it direct.
The materials are usually physically satisfactory once stone-picked, and deficient for major plant nutrients only in nitrogen.
This can be provided by fertiliser, but a satisfactory long term nitrogen supply must be ensured.
This is most economically achieved by the inclusion of clover in the mixture.
Soil formation will subsequently be enhanced by earthworm activity.
The costs of such methods are approximately one tenth of those where topsoil is used, and can lead to high class self-sustaining swards.
Authors
A.D. Bradshaw
Keywords
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