Sward Colour

A presentational quality performance standard which states the minimum amount of conformity, measured as uniformity of colour, of a turfgrass surface. A specific colour is not mentioned, and whilst green is clearly implied, this is not stating that, and so a uniform yellow colour would actually be complying if the uniformity of that colour met the minimum parameters. A qualifying statement could be provided by a site manager to indicate the desired colour for the uniformity to be achieved in. This may also vary during different parts of the year, as a dark green colour during the drier summer period may not actually be a desirable requirement and would not be an approach if a programme of encouraging sustainability was being implemented ¯ the prime reason being that natural grass growth varies in colour during the year as an adaptation to environmental conditions, and so artificially maintained turfgrass should also aim to replicate this in some way.

Sward colour might also vary in how it is distributed. A band of grass might be lighter or darker in colour than the rest of a pitch or surface. This could be indicating an over or under application of fertiliser or other material. Irregular patchy colours would, most likely, signify a different influencing factor. In addition to the normal uniformity of colour a sub-class could also be used to indicate whether this is more regular or irregular in outline.