Hythe Green FC

Hythe Green FC is based at the South Road Sports Facilities in Hythe, Kent. Covering roughly 11 acres, the council-managed site includes natural turf sports pitches alongside grass and hard tennis courts and a bowling green. South Road has a long association with recreation in the town, with records referring to the site as a recreation ground as far back as 1884.

A prolonged period of wet winter weather had placed pressure on the natural turf surfaces. Regular use in wet conditions can compact the soil, restricting the movement of air and water through the profile and making it harder for the grass to recover.

The pitches therefore required aeration as part of a wider seasonal maintenance programme. Scarification and overseeding were also scheduled to reduce unwanted organic matter and improve grass coverage.

Bourne Sport completed a Verti-Drain treatment across the pitches. The process created channels within the soil profile, helping to relieve compaction and improve the movement of air and water where ground conditions allowed.

The pitches are scheduled to be Verti-Drained twice each year as part of their ongoing maintenance. Scarification will be completed in one direction using a Rytec scarifier, with the arisings placed in a designated area on site.

The playing surfaces will also be overseeded during the spring and autumn at a rate of 35g/m². This will introduce fresh grass seed across thinner sections and support more consistent turf coverage through the playing season.