{"tr":"The heart of football, rugby and other team sports beats on a green field. Natural grass is an indispensable surface due to the superior performance, natural aesthetics and ecological benefits it offers to athletes. However, building a quality, durable and safe natural grass field is a process that requires serious planning, right material selection and expertise. This guide explains step by step how to project and build a natural grass sports field at professional standards.\r\n","en":"Football, rugby. The heart of football, football and other team sports beats on a green field. However, building a quality, durable and safe natural grass field is a process that requires serious planning, correct material selection and expertise. This guide explains step by step how to design and build a natural grass sports field at professional standards.\r\n","ru":"The heart of football, rugby and other team sports beats on a green field. Turf is an indispensable surface due to the superior performance, natural aesthetics and ecological benefits it offers to athletes. However, building a quality, durable and safe natural grass field is a process that requires serious planning, correct material selection and expertise. explains step by step how the sports field is designed and built.\r\n","ar":"The heart of football, rugby and other team sports beats on a green field. Natural grass is an indispensable surface due to the superior performance, natural aesthetics and ecological benefits it offers to athletes. However, building a quality, durable and safe natural grass field requires serious planning and the right materials.

Natural Grass Sports Field Construction and Project Design

The heart of football, rugby and other team sports beats on a green field. Natural grass is an indispensable surface due to the superior performance, natural aesthetics and ecological benefits it offers to athletes. However, building a quality, durable and safe natural grass field is a process that requires serious planning, right material selection and expertise. This guide explains step by step how to design and build a natural grass sports field to professional standards.

Natural Grass or Synthetic Grass? Criteria for the Right Decision

Reasons for Preferring Natural Grass:

Performance: Natural grass provides better shock absorption on joints and ligaments, providing a more natural feel when sliding and turning.
Naturalness and Aesthetics: It is a living surface, reduces the ambient temperature and offers a magnificent appearance.
Ecological Benefit: Produces oxygen, captures dust, reduces carbon footprint and filters rainwater.

 

 

Football Field

 

Reasons for Preferring Synthetic Grass:

High Usage Capacity: It can be used almost 24/7, regardless of the weather. Maintenance cost is lower than natural grass.
Consistency: The surface is always the same; There are no problems such as water accumulation, mud or dull grass.

Things to Consider When Making a Decision: Budget, frequency of use of the field (how many hours/official matches will be held per week?), climatic conditions and long-term maintenance costs.

Natural Grass Field Project Design Stages

1. Feasibility and Master Plan
Needs Analysis: At what level (amateur, professional) and for which sports (football, rugby, multi-purpose) will the field be used? Will it be at FIFA v World Rugby standards?
Land Selection and Analysis: A flat land with dimensions of at least 110m x 70m should be selected. Ground survey (soil structure, water table) and drainage potential must be examined.
Orientation: The long axis of the field (north-south direction) is planned to minimize sunlight from obstructing the eyes of the goalkeeper and players.

2. Engineering and Infrastructure Projects
Drainage System Design: It is the most critical element that determines the life of the field. Surface drainage (slope of the field) and subsurface drainage (channels and pipes) are designed together.
Slope (Grade n t): The field is built with a slope of 0.5% - 1% from the center to the edges or from one edge to the other. This allows the water to drain quickly.
Irrigation System: An automatic, rain-sensing, soil moisture sensor sprinkler system is a must. The placement of sprinkler heads is planned to avoid "corner shooting", taking into account the wind direction.
Soil Analysis and Preparation: The structure of the existing soil is analyzed. It is generally recommended to mix a high percentage of sand into existing soil to improve drainage.

Natural Grass Field Construction Stages (Construction)

1. Land Preparation and Excavation
The boundaries of the site are determined and the necessary excavation and filling operations are carried out to give the planned slope. The foundation is thoroughly compacted with vibratory rollers.

2. Laying Drainage and Irrigation Infrastructure
Subsurface Drainage: Drainage channels are opened in a "fishbone" pattern or in the form of parallel lines. After the geotextile cover is laid, these channels are filled with drainage pipes and gravel.
Irrigation Pipes: Irrigation pipes are laid up to the locations of the sprinkler heads in a way that does not damage the drainage system.

3. Preparation of the Growth Environment (Rootzone)
This is the top 25-35cm layer where grass roots will grow. It usually consists of a mixture of 70-85% sand and 15-30% peat. This mix offers excellent drainage and adequate water/nutrient holding capacity. This prepared layer is leveled and compressed with millimetric precision using laser leveling devices.

4. Seed Sowing or Ready Grass (Roll) Laying
Seed Sowing: Selected grass seed (usually Lolium perenne - English Grass based mixtures) is sown by seeder or hydroseeding method. It is more economical, but it may take 3-6 months for the field to be put into use.
Ready Grass (Roll Grass) Laying: Pre-grown, mature grass is laid on the field after being cut and rolled. It is much more costly, but the field is ready for use within 3-4 weeks. It should be laid seamlessly and tightly.

5. Growing and Maintenance
Irrigation: In the first days, the surface should be kept constantly moist.
Fertilization and Aeration: When rooting begins, feed with slow-release special grass fertilizers. Aeration is applied regularly to prevent jamming.
First Mowing: When the grass reaches slightly above the desired height, the first mowing is done with a sharp blade lawn mower. The ideal shape height on football fields is generally 25-30 mm.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the cost of a natural grass field?

A: The cost depends on many factors such as land preparation, quality of the material used (sand ratio, roll grass), infrastructure details and equipment. For a field of professional standards, a high cost per square meter should be expected. With a simple calculation, it can be said that a serious investment is required for a standard football field.

Q: How to maintain a natural grass field?

A: It requires intensive and regular care:
Daily/Housekeeping: Watering, mowing.
Weekly/Monthly: Fertilization, spraying (against pests and diseases), ventilation, sandblasting.
Seasonal: Aeration, overseeding, sandblasting, winter preparation.
Special machinery and equipment (lawn mower, aerator, verticut machine, sandblasting machine) and experienced personnel are required for these operations.

Q: Which grass seed mix should be used?

A: In Türkiye, Lolium perenne (English Grass) is generally dominant due to its durability and fast germination. Poa pratensis (Kentucky Bluegrass) is cold hardy, while Festuca species are more drought and shade tolerant. Often mixtures of these types are used for both durability and aesthetics.

Q: When will the field be ready for play?

A: If sown from seeds, it will take at least 3-4 months to be ready for intensive use. If rolled grass has been laid, 4-6 weeks is sufficient for the roots to take hold and the ground to firm up.

Conclusion

A professional natural grass sports field is an important investment. The secret of its success is a solid infrastructure (especially drainage), a quality growing medium and never-ending careful maintenance. This process, which starts with correct project planning and is carried out by expert teams, ultimately offers athletes a green stage that is safe, increases performance and is enjoyable to watch. Before investing, conducting a detailed study with agricultural engineers and companies specialized in field construction will enable you to make the best decision in the long term.

 

For more detailed information and field renewal and infrastructure renewal, contact us: info@sfsmuhendislik.com