Autumn Turf Care: Essential Products for Sports Groundskeepers

As autumn rolls in, sports groundskeepers face the critical task of preparing turf for winter dormancy while ensuring a robust spring recovery. Cooler temperatures and increased moisture create ideal conditions for root growth, making this season pivotal for strengthening sports pitches, golf courses, and high-traffic turf areas. Our lineup—Early Start, SwardPhite, Amino-Sorb, Seaturf, Enhance R, Enhance F, Enhance C, and Organic Sports Grass Liquid Fertiliser—is designed to keep your turf durable, vibrant, and match-ready. Here’s how groundskeepers can leverage these products this autumn, with practical tips and seasonal benefits tailored for sports turf.

Early Start: Tackle Dew and Fungal Threats

Heavy autumn dew can linger on sports turf, creating a breeding ground for fungal diseases like Pythium and Downy Mildew. Early Start dew and moisture management reduces excess moisture on grass surfaces, helping prevent these issues.

Best Practice: Apply Early Start in early September using a sprayer at 0.12–0.2 litres per 1,000 m² in 40–60 litres of water. No watering-in required, saving time during busy maintenance schedules. Reapply every 1–3 weeks depending on dew levels for consistent protection.

Autumn Advantage: By controlling dew, Early Start minimizes fungal risks in damp autumn conditions, ensuring healthier turf through winter and reducing spring disease patches. Groundskeepers report less corrective work and cleaner playing surfaces.

SwardPhite: Strengthen Roots and Defences

SwardPhite Bioactive Turf Fertiliser offers a 4:25:16 NPK ratio, with phosphite (PO3) for rapid root development and enhanced stress tolerance—ideal for playing surfaces enduring heavy use.

Best Practice: Apply every 2–3 weeks starting in September at 400 ml per 1,000 m², diluted in 40–100 litres of water, using professional spray equipment. Pair with aeration to boost root uptake and ensure even coverage.

Autumn Advantage: The phosphite promotes strong roots and natural disease resistance, crucial for turf facing wet autumn weather and intense play. This leads to denser, more resilient surfaces that hold up under winter stress.

Amino-Sorb: Boost Recovery and Resilience

Amino-Sorb (F for foliar, R for root) delivers amino acids to enhance nutrient uptake, photosynthesis, and stress recovery, making it a vital tool for sports turf under autumn pressures.

Best Practice: For foliar application, use Amino-Sorb F at 300–500 ml per 1,000 m² in 30–50 litres of water weekly. For root feeding, apply Amino-Sorb R at 1–1.5 litres per 1,000 m² in at least 50 litres of water. Apply post-aeration or after fungicide treatments for maximum effect.

Autumn Advantage: Autumn’s low light and cooler temperatures can stress turf, but Amino-Sorb supports robust root growth and faster recovery from wear, ensuring pitches stay strong and vibrant for late-season games.

Seaturf: Natural Support for Establishment

Seaturf Super Concentrate (2% N, 0% P, 10% K) uses Laminaria digitata seaweed to promote root development without excessive top growth, perfect for autumn overseeding on sports fields.

Best Practice: Post-aeration and overseeding, apply 1 litre per 1,000 m² in 30–90 litres of water using a sprayer. Start in early autumn to aid seedling establishment and repeat as needed for ongoing health.

Autumn Advantage: The cooler, moist conditions of autumn enhance Seaturf’s ability to foster rapid seedling growth and strong roots, ensuring newly seeded areas establish quickly for a durable spring playing surface.

Enhance R: Bio-Active Root Health

Enhance R Bio-Active Turf Fertiliser (Autumn/Winter 5-2-15) features Bacillus subtilis to boost root health and suppress pathogens like Fusarium, ideal for high-traffic sports turf.

Best Practice: Apply 15–25kg per 1,000 m² in early autumn using calibrated spreading equipment. Repeat every 10–12 weeks. Aerate beforehand to maximize nutrient uptake. The fine granules (1–2mm for fine turf) prevent scorch and ensure even coverage.

Autumn Advantage: The Bacillus subtilis creates a protective root barrier, reducing disease and improving nutrient availability. This results in stronger, denser turf that recovers quickly from autumn matches and winter frost.

Enhance F: Targeted Nutrition for Durability

Enhance F Autumn/Winter (4:1.5:12 + Amino-Sorb® F) provides liquid foliar nutrition with amino acids and trace elements, fortifying sports turf against wear and stress.

Best Practice: For foliar feeding, apply 2 litres per 1,000 m² in 60–100 litres of water weekly from September. For root feeding, use 5–15 litres in the same water volume. Avoid irrigation for 24 hours after foliar application to ensure uptake.

Autumn Advantage: High potassium and amino acids enhance turf resilience, minimizing damage from late-season games. Groundskeepers appreciate the vibrant colour and compact growth, keeping pitches professional-looking through the autumn months.

Enhance C: Fortify Soil for Winter

Enhance C Soil Conditioner combines slow-release nutrients and plant saponins to boost microbial activity, helping sports turf withstand winter stress and maintain soil health.

Best Practice: After aeration, apply at 30g per m² (30kg per 1,000 m²) in early autumn. Water thoroughly to reach the root zone. Avoid over-application near watercourses to protect ecosystems. A late autumn reapplication reinforces benefits.

Autumn Advantage: The microbial boost and slow-release nutrients strengthen soil structure and roots, preparing pitches for winter and ensuring faster spring recovery, even under heavy use.

Organic Sports Grass Liquid Fertilisers: Sustainable Nutrition

Vitax 4-2-6 Organic Sports Grass Liquid Fertiliser is optimised for autumn/winter with a 4% N, 2% P, 6% K balance, plus trace elements like iron and magnesium for robust sports turf.

Best Practice: Apply every 2–4 weeks from September to March at 400 ml per 1,000 m² in 40–60 litres of water using standard spray equipment. Its foliar and root-feeding formula absorbs quickly, requiring no extra watering.

Autumn Advantage: The potassium-rich mix strengthens turf against cold and wear, while organic ingredients support sustainable soil health. Pitches maintain resilience and colour, even during late autumn matches.

Pro Tips for Autumn Success

• Aerate First: Aeration before applying Enhance C, Enhance R, Seaturf, or Amino-Sorb enhances nutrient and seed contact with soil, critical for high-traffic sports turf.

• Clear Leaves: Use a blower or rake to remove leaves from pitches—mulch them into the turf for natural nutrients but prevent smothering.

• Mow Smart: Gradually lower mowing height in autumn, avoiding cuts of more than a third of the blade to reduce stress on heavily used areas.

Autumn is your window to build resilient, match-ready sports turf. Our products simplify maintenance while delivering professional results. Visit www.vitaxamenity.co.uk or call 01530 510060 to order or get tailored advice. Keep your pitches in top shape!