Athletic field irrigation is an aspect of sports field maintenance that should be considered during construction and monitored throughout the field’s life. Proper irrigation is a vital aspect of every sports field regardless of the type of turf. Whether you are designing a new field construction project or bringing an existing field back to life, you should have all the necessary information on sports field irrigation.
Stationary Irrigation Systems
Systems such as in-ground sprinklers and emitter tubing are considered stationary irrigation solutions. With these irrigation systems being stationary, they can only be used to water the field where they are installed. Adding this type of system to an existing field would require a great deal of work. Talk about stationary irrigation as an option during the construction of a new field or consider waiting until the field needs other major turf renovations.
Mobile Irrigation Systems
Travelers are machines that are used to spray water over a field. Also known as water reels, these systems can be attached to a tractor and pulled across the field to a wide spray of water across the turf. Depending on the power of the water reel and the size of the field you may be able to water the whole surface in one or 2 passes. These systems are generally less expensive than stationary systems but they are great for parks with multiple fields because they can be used for watering all of the fields.
Benefits of Travelers:
- Irrigates the entire fields in a 1-2 pass
- More affordable compared to in-ground systems
- Lowers ongoing maintenance costs
- No in-ground heads to repair
- Makes fields soft and reduces player injuries
Solid set sprinklers are another type of water system. These systems are inexpensive and mobile, however, they are also time-consuming and tedious to use. These sprinkler systems are used by attaching them to a hose and placing them in the area you want to be watered. You may have to move the sprinkler multiple times to water the whole field.
Synthetic Turf Irrigation
It may seem counterintuitive to water a synthetic turf made of plastic, but it is indeed necessary. No, the grass on a synthetic turf field will never grow but it does need to be cleaned regularly. Watering your artificial turf will rinse off any dirt, debris, or harmful substances that build upon the field. Synthetic turf has also been known to get warm when exposed to the bright sun and watering it can cool the field down. Additionally, a proper irrigation system or plan could extend the life of your synthetic field.
Irrigation for Football Fields
Football is America’s most-watched sport, but it might not be so pretty if the fields are all covered in brown patches. Regardless of whether you use in-ground irrigation, travelers, or solid set sprinklers, the main goal is to properly water the field on a regular basis. Synthetic turf has been known to get warm, so it also requires irrigation to cool the turf down before the start of a game. The players will thank you!
Irrigation for Soccer Fields
Soccer is the overall most played sport in the world and is extremely common in South Florida. The hot Florida sun means that fields require watering more often than in other cooler states. Installing in-line emitter tubing throughout the field is a great option for soccer fields. It is below the surface and will not be easily damaged by the constant running and kicking during a soccer match.
Irrigation for Baseball and Softball Fields
The great American pastime, baseball fields can be tricky because they have both clay and grass turf. In-ground sprinklers are a solid option because they can be installed to spray only the areas you want and placed in parts of the field where they are less likely to be kicked. Do whatever it takes to keep your baseball or softball field in tip-top shape so fans do not get distracted from their peanuts and Cracker Jacks.
Haverland AG Innovations is an experienced athletic field maintenance company and can help keep your field looking lush and bright with any number of athletic field irrigation techniques. Trained workers will repair and maintain any in-ground irrigation systems as needed or run a water reel over the fields that do not have a stationary irrigation system. When you want the best for your athletic field, go to Haverland AG Innovations. Call today to schedule a consultation!