8 Oct 2004 by Hipper
Rugby grass length
At my school, the P.E. staff wish the rugby grass to be 75mm long, and I comply. The purpose is to make a cushion on the ground at this time of year so that injuries caused by contact with the hard ground are reduced. Conventional wisdom I believe.
However, when cutting to 75mm, the density of the grass sward (i.e. the number of grass blades per square metre) is reduced compared with grass cut at 30mm. And the longer grass to me appears to be weaker and more easily ripped out (not as divots, just grass blades). This comparison is between the grass on the pitch and the shorter grass where the rugby lines have been cut.
So the question is, would it be better to cut the pitch shorter and therefore get a denser sward, so hopefully maintaining the cushion effect but getting the possible benefit of tougher grass? If so, what would be the ideal height?
Perhaps I should experiment, but if anyone has any comments, I would be very interested.
Rugby grass length
Now I have had experience in a warm climate and so there may be a slight difference with turf and temperatures etc.
However, the principal may be the similar.
We at the Sydney Football Stadium would set the height for all winter code (Rugby and Rugby League .. for domestice matches) at 50mm. The height was for the same reasons as Hipper mentions.
We did experiment at 75mm but found that there was loss of leaf for no good reason, due to simple traffic..all those little feet running up and down does that.
At 50mm the turf was compact and there was only the usual loss of leaf over the winter period. The surface still provided that 'cushhion' for the players. And in many ways the surface was better over th eperiod than it was when we were trying to maintiain 75mm.
I would think that if "experimental" thoughts were in mind, then a height of 60mm may be the comprimise.
I should add that when it came to preparing the field for FIFA soccer fixtures we would drop the height for a few weeks prior to 45mm.. all to do with ball speed and such... The week before the event we would cut at 48mm. Doesn't seem much different but it sure does impress the FIFA ground inspection folks when they arrive and there is the catcher being filled with grass when cutting back at 45mm. "Yes, of great soccer guru, we are doing all it takes to make sure the ground is ready for your special day" Made them feel very special but did little to effect the overall turf from recovering when we went back to 50mm.
Mind you if it were late into the winter season even 50mm was difficult to maintain at times.
Hope it makes some sense.
grass length
This year i have left the grass grow to a length of 70mm+. The reason being last year was such a dry summer the previous groundsman cut the grass short. This resulted in just about the whole rugby team wearing knee supports so that they still had some skin left. The ground was dry and the grass density very poor.
Early October I cut the length down to approx 50mm just when I noticed that the grass growth was significantly slower. I did find with a longer length that it did rip out quite easily, but this long length also held moisture in. Now that the pitch has been cut it looks lush, healthly and strong and it hasn't had a fertilise application for god knows how many years (something that will change since taking over the grounds I'm just waiting for the local farming to get his backside in gear with his spreader!).
I also find that because the soil content is mainly clay the grass does differ quite considerably to other grounds
Grass Length
Hipper,
At the School where i am Grounds Manager, we cut the grass on the rugby pitches at about 1 -1 1/2 ".
My Predecessor did not cut the grass at all, during the winter season,( even though Football is played after Christmas) so was left with a muddy mess come April.
When i started last year, i told the Groundstaff that i wanted the winter pitches cut, i got some very strange looks, and some odd comments, but the benefits far out way the negatives, namely:
The shorter the grass is, normally means it has a decent root system.( not always the case, but in my experience this has been the case) as you are constantly topping the grass, the roots have to migrate downwards to look for nutrients to support the top growth, rather than when the grass is long, it can become very " soft and mushy" as the root system cannot support the amount of Top Growth.
By having a decent root system, the grass sward will anchor better, making it more resistant to being pulled out.
The Grass will become more drought tolerant with a decent root system, it will also make better use of the nutrient available within the soil.
My Pitches at the moment, look as though they havent been played on, and apart from a few plantains, are looking good, this has been well recieved by the Sports Masters, who are now asking why this was not done by my predecesor, and my staff can now see the benefits too, When i started last November, there was not a blade of Grass on any of the Pitches, but this year there is probably about 90% grass cover.
Hope this helps.
17 Oct 2004 by Bmm23
Rugby Grass Length
Impressed with comments and particularly Neil Dixon's experience which I am now going to try on my pitches which have never been cut in the winter. Thank you
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