Scratch Area

Areas of sward where the surface vegetation has been either thinned or worn away, but grass roots have been largely unaffected, due to the action of players. This is typical of some areas on cricket surfaces, such as where the wicket keeper is positioned or the run-off or run-up areas for a cricket bowler.

  Self-Assessment Report

An evaluation of the performance of an individual or organisation which is carried out by the individual or organisation concerned. This is why it is called ‘self’, because it is themselves doing the evaluation rather than an external organisation or person. The evaluation will aim to be constructively critical and would usually be produced as a report, with the purpose being to help develop the individual or organisation. The report will have a logical structure that clearly outlines the performance criteria against which the evaluation took place. Evidence of examples of performance are t

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  Sensor Technology

A device, with a transmitter and receiver, usually with an electronic or optical signal, which detects, measures and then converts the measurement into a signal which is transmitted to a receiver, which might then be displayed or recorded for data analysis. Soil moisture, air relative humidity and temperature sensors are commonly used in turf management.

  Service Level Agreement

A written agreement between a provider of a service and a customer, which identifies clear measures (performance criteria) for what the provider is committed to provide as a service to the customer, for example, by responding to written complaints within 5-working days or ensuring that a service is available at least x% of the time, or ensuring a task is completed within a certain timeframe, or other measurable feature. The term Service Level Agreement is frequently referred to as just SLA.

  Soft Cost

An indirect cost that is not directly associated (unlike labour and materials) with the physical construction of a feature such as a building, storage facility or sports pitch. Examples include architect design (or professional) fees, insurance premiums, legal fees, the opportunity costs of a delayed project, additional (to the original project) labour costs, marketing costs, loan interest payments and administration fees.

  Soft Landscape

Plant cover, other than amenity grass and sports turf. A grounds manager will be responsible not just for sports and amenity grass surfaces but also a range of soft landscape areas which can significantly enhance the grounds environment. Soft landscape can be categorized according to the communities of plants present. BS7370 1993 ‘Grounds Maintenance: Part 4. Recommendations for maintenance of soft landscape (other than amenity turf)' identifies a wide range of categories, which will require managing accordingly, as follows:

  Sowing Depth

For turfgrass seed to germinate, emerge as a seedling and establish requires a range of conditions for a successful outcome. The depth at which the grass seed is sown is one factor which can influence the outcome. Too shallow a depth and the seed can become more susceptible to desiccation, inadequate soil moisture to explore once germination has occurred at the surface, as well as being more readily consumed by birds as seed is more likely to be exposed at shallow depths, especially if windy conditions arise following seeding, potentially uncovering the top-dressing protecting the seed. Temper

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  Species-rich Grassland

An open area of grassland and which is typically maintained by non-intensive, i.e. traditional, methods of grazing and cutting. “A grassland is species-rich if it has: • more than 15 plant species per square metre • more than 30% cover of wildflowers and sedges (excluding white clover, creeping buttercup and injurious weeds) • less than 10% cover of white clover and perennial rye grass.” (https://defrafarming.blog.gov.uk/create-and-restore-species-rich-grassland/, accessed 02/03/2024)

  Specific Measurable Achievable Relevant Timely

This activity provides a useful way of making sure you cover your requirements in a comprehensive way and don't miss out any important parts. Each part of your action plan target must satisfy the SMART requirements, which is: &bull: Specific &bull: Measurable &bull: Achievable &bull: Relevant &bull: Timely There are other ways of expressing the initials, including: &bull: S: Significant &bull: M: Meaningful &bull: A: Attainable &bull: R: Realistic &bull: T: Time-bound What do these terms mean? Specific: You need to be clear on what you are doing; what task is to be car

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  Specific Off-Label Approval

The approved (by Defra) use of a pesticide product in situations which are not stated on a label and which may apply for a specific period of time and only in a well-defined context (being in the same ‘field of use’, i.e. sector). This is often referred to just as SOLA.