- Sand makes up the mineral section of soil
- Increasing sand percentages improves drainage and surface firmness.
- Used to increase pore space in the soil to improve drainage
- Used to top dress the pitch as part of the end of season renovation.
- Used most of the season to repair worn areas such as goal mouths
- Used in the spring and/or autumn to top dress during end of season or autumn renovation, whether or not the topdressing is applied over several dressings in season or as one dressing at the end of the playing season may depend on the equipment available to you or the length of break in play
Applying the wrong/incompatible sands will negatively effect pitch drainage and encourage layering which may stunt root development in turn leading to an unstable surface. Always use a round sand, not a building or sharp sand.
For localised areas hand repairs using hand tools will normally be sufficient, for larger areas tractor powered or pedestrian top dressers are likely to be most suitable. It is important that the dressing is brushed or drag matted into the surface to avoid any grass being smothered, and that it is applied evenly, or surface levels may be lost.
Always use the same sand type to avoid creating layers in the pitch. The amount used will depend on the size of the area, the surface evenness, or any other reasons you may be top dressing such as diluting thatch levels, improving surface drainage or soil amelioration
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