RKC Waalwijk Opts for Efficient and Fast Overseeding with Redexim
Efficient Overseeding with the Speedseed
RKC Waalwijk is back to playing on real grass at the Mandemakers Stadion for the first time since the the 2019-2020 season. Young field manager Thimo de Nijs witnessed the transition firsthand. At the age of 19, he started working for the yellow and blue team. Four years later, he is mainly responsible for maintaining the main pitch and the three training fields.
Due to time constraints, in 2019, Professional Football Club RKC chose to lay sod when transitioning from artificial turf to natural grass. De Nijs experienced this and said, “From my start at RKC, I was involved in the maintenance of all the pitches. I find it fantastic that I gained a lot of experience in the field management profession. When it comes to knowledge development, I really made significant progress. Due to my passion for this green profession, the club entrusted me with maintaining the main pitch and training fields.”
De Nijs continues, “The three training fields on the complex also underwent changes. One of them was transformed into a hybrid field, and another hybrid field was added last year. We also contributed to the major renovation at the end of the season. After major maintenance, we overseed the pitches with a disc seeding machine. Nowadays, I go on a weekly tour of all the fields with an advisor from Vos Capelle. We assess the condition of each field and our goals. Maintaining a Premier League soccer field naturally demands proper nutrition at the right time to create a top-quality pitch for the players.”
Overseeding
Overseeding of the stadium field played a role from the beginning. From the start, the contractor did this frequently, using a Spiker Seeder. De Nijs explains, “Such a machine provides a shallower operation, causes less damage to the turf, and leaves considerably less mess. Overseeding with a Spiker Seeder also adds minimal extra work.”
De Nijs makes it clear that they now overseed regularly because they aim for a dense sod where Poa annua has as little chance as possible to emerge. Depending on the season and germination conditions, he estimates 30-40 kilograms of grass seed per hectare for overseeding in the stadium per game if deemed necessary.
De Nijs primarily uses RPR Sport from Barenbrug, and during the winter, he switches to SOS, which germinates more easily at low temperatures. De Nijs says, “During the growing season, we sometimes overseed with a seed mixture that contains more creeping bentgrass. This provides a strong turf that offers extra stability. Typically, we irrigate the fields as needed, but we usually give the overseeded germinating grass seed a drink in the evening or at night!”
Choices
Due to the frequent use of the Spiker Seeder, RKC felt the need to add such an overseeder to their equipment lineup.
For this purpose, De Nijs turned to the regular machine supplier, Van der Haeghe/Bert van Loon. He says, “The latter was always our contact for machine purchases as a dealer. Additionally, this company maintains our machinery. I presented my questions to them, and they responded quickly with suitable options. Ultimately, I chose the Speedseed from Redexim. This machine had good reviews in the market for our overseeding goal. I examined this machine with colleagues and heard a very positive review from someone who works with it. We took the time to research the machine to make the right choice. After all, we must rely on it for the next ten years for the main and training fields. The machine can be easily attached to the three-point hitch so that we can overseed specific areas like goal areas if necessary. This machine doesn’t require a power take-off.”
A Redexim Speedseed 1500 has been ready for use in the RKC Waalwijk storage for over a year. De Nijs says, “We connect it to an Iseki tractor. The gearbox that regulates the seed distribution system is powered by a narrow band on the left side of the machine, which is slightly wider than the tires of a compact tractor. At this level, it is a compact machine with a large seed bin. The front roller is equipped with spikes, and the rear roller is smooth. Both require minimal maintenance. The front roller consists of separate ring sections, the knobs of which create conical perforations in the surface. The grass seed is precisely placed here. Additionally, a static plastic brush sweeps any spilled seed into the holes. These are then pressed shut by the rear roller, allowing the seed to germinate. We use a single roller, but there is also a version with an additional roller with knobs. This doubles the number of holes and spreads the grass seed even better. Our machine makes about 1,000 conical holes per square meter.”
Regarding the intensity of use of the main field, De Nijs expects 25 matches yearly. He says, “In addition, it is sometimes used for training, and Jong Oranje also utilizes RKC’s facilities. We consistently overseed every three to four weeks or after a game if necessary. We perform this operation when the squad has a day off. With the machine’s speed of 12 km/h, it is quick. In challenging, compacted areas, we sometimes apply the Verti-Drain after speedseeding to push the grass seed further into the soil for better germination conditions. As a grass team, we find that overseeding with the Redexim Speedseed contributes to the stability of the natural grass turf.”
Training Fields
De Nijs continues, “The plastic fibers of our hybrid training fields naturally ensure a stable and easily maintained playing surface. It’s a matter of keeping the surface clean and the fibers high by using a sweeper. This hybrid field gives us peace of mind. We also overseed it with a lower frequency. Despite the intensive use, this hybrid field provides a lot of peace for our three-person grass team. On match days, two extra colleagues and some volunteers help with maintenance. This includes repairing the damage to the turf, removing the fixed goals from the field, and performing additional tasks. In the following days, our work involves removing loose grass from the surface and regular maintenance, such as mowing the fields, overseeding, aerating, and possibly topdressing if necessary. We handle all of this ourselves.”
“What do players, coaches, and the club think of your efforts?” “Of course, they appreciate it!” De Nijs responds.
“As a grass team, we try to get the most out of the field and ensure that the squad is minimally affected by our daily maintenance. We indeed noticed the difference since we started using the Redexim Speedseed. The recovery after overseeding is better, and we receive compliments from the club because we can respond quickly and efficiently to the situation, resulting in a higher quality playing surface.”
Drive
The video below provides a clear view of the operation of this robust Redexim machine. The core of the machine consists of the mechanism that transports seed from the seed bin to the seeding elements, a calibrated system. The speed at which this happens can be adjusted with a knob on a gearbox. An air tire drives this gearbox in contact with the ground. A rotating spindle prevents seed bridging in the seed bin.
The machine can also be adjusted to accommodate different seed sizes using a lever on the left side, as seen in one of the photos in the stadium. The user manual explains how to perform a calibration test to check the exact quantities. If the conditions require it, you can attach additional weights to a steel rod at the front.
The seed bin lid is easy to open and close due to the two cylinders attached to it. To secure the machine to the trailer during transport, a hanging handle has been recessed into the steel plate at the rear.’
Specifications Redexim Speedseed 1500 are available for download here
Mandemakers Stadion
RKC Waalwijk’s home is the beautiful Mandemakers Stadion. Here, 7,508 spectators can enjoy everything that RKC Waalwijk has to offer. The current stadium has been the yellow and blue’s home since 1996. However, the Waalwijk club has been playing on the ground where the Mandemakers Stadion now stands for longer. The former Olympia sports park, also in Holland known as ‘the bicycle shed,’ was RKC Waalwijk’s home from 1940 to 1996. Initially, the new stadium retained the name of the old stadium, but since 1999, it has been known as the Mandemakers Stadium.
Source: Fieldmanager Magazine