EDUCATIONAL programmes
ETL can provide talks on all aspects of the USGA recommendation for putting green construction materials. Subjects which can be included are:
LABORATORY consultancy services
Many problems may be encountered during the preparation and testing of rootzones. ETL can provide on-site visits to oversee and advise on rootzone preparation and handling. Alternatively clients' laboratory equipment and test procedures can be reviewed to ensure reliable quality control.
ETL have highlighted the following basic principles as a guide to either rootzone USERS or PRODUCERS.
WORKING WITH ROOTZONES
POINTS TO CONSIDER: ROOTZONE USERS
| DO | SOURCE SUITABLE MATERIALS FOR A CONSTRUCTION WELL IN ADVANCE | DON'T | BECOME COMPLACENT: NEVER ASSUME DELIVERIES WILL BE AS SPECIFIED | |
| DO | LEARN HOW TO SAMPLE A STOCKPILE, GREEN OR PITCH CORRECTLY | DON'T | OVERHANDLE ROOTZONES IN WET CONDITIONS | |
| DO | SAMPLE EACH DELIVERY AND IDENTIFY WHERE IT IS TO BE USED | DON'T | ALLOW ROOTZONE TO BECOME CONTAMINATED WITH INDIGENOUS SOIL | |
| DO | SEND RANDOM SAMPLES FOR TESTING TO CHECK QUALITY | DON'T | IGNORE WARNING SIGNS THAT THERE MAY BE PROBLEMS WITH A ROOTZONE DELIVERY | |
| DO | HAVE GRAVEL LAYER MATERIALS ASSESSED FOR SUITABILITY | DON'T | MIX ON GREEN SITE: PREPARE ON TARMAC AREA AND THEN TRANSFER ROOTZONE | |
| DO | BE AWARE THAT THE ROOTZONE DEPTH WILL AFFECT ITS PHYSICAL PROPERTIES | DON'T | COMPRESS SOIL, PEAT OR COMPOST WHEN MEASURING, IF ROOTZONE IS TO BE MIXED BY USER |
WORKING
WITH ROOTZONES
POINTS TO CONSIDER:
ROOTZONE PRODUCERS
| DO | SELECT SAND CAREFULLY FOR SIZE, CONSISTENCY AND PARTICLE SHAPE | DON'T | MIX INGREDIENTS WHEN VERY WET | |
| DO | BE AWARE THAT ORGANIC AMENDMENTS REQUIRE DIFFERENT HANDLING FROM SANDS | DON'T | REMIX OR OVERMIX: ORGANIC COMPONENTS MAY DESTRUCTURE | |
| DO | USE AN INDEPENDENT TESTING LABORATORY TO DETERMINE OPTIMUM MIX RATIOS | DON'T | MIX WHERE CONTAMINATION FROM SOIL IS POSSIBLE | |
| DO | MIX BY VOLUME AND NOT BY WEIGHT | DON'T | SAMPLE SURFACE OF THE STOCKPILE | |
| DO | KEEP SOIL, PEAT AND COMPOST STOCKPILES DRY BY COVERING, WHERE POSSIBLE | DON'T | SUBMIT A SMALL HAND MIX SAMPLE FOR TESTING | |
| DO | USE AN EXPERIENCED OPERATOR TO PRODUCE THE ROOTZONE MIX | DON'T | LEAVE TESTING TO THE LAST MINUTE | |
| DO | TEST ROOTZONE MIXES REGULARLY FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE | DON'T | CHANGE A COMPONENT OF THE MIX: ITS PHYSICAL PROPERTIES WILL ALTER |