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GHG Ultimate Sports Turf is our premium sports field blend specifically engineered for high-traffic athletic applications. This blend combines aggressive rhizomatous Kentucky Bluegrass cultivars selected for wear tolerance, rapid recovery, and dense growth under the demanding conditions of organized sports.
GHG Ultimate Sports Turf
GHG Ultimate Sports Turf is established using Greenhorizons Sod Farms Leading Edge Turfgrass Technology. It is a combination of the latest proven Kentucky Bluegrass cultivars selected through years of research. Research is evaluated from the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) alongside Greenhorizons Sod Farms’ own research and testing to choose the best varieties of Kentucky Bluegrass for sports fields in Southern Ontario. Spec Sheet
Performance Characteristics:
Wear tolerance: Exceptional under repeated athletic traffic
Recovery rate: Rapid healing from divots, scuffs, and compaction
Density: Thick turf resists thinning in high-use zones
Root system: Deep, vigorous roots anchor turf against cleats
Disease resistance: Strong resistance to common athletic field diseases
Best Applications:
Football fields (hash marks, between tackles, goal line areas)
Soccer fields (goal mouths, center circle, penalty areas)
Multi-sport fields with overlapping use
Practice fields with daily use
High school and youth league fields (heavy schedule)
GHG Premium Bluegrass
GHG Premium Bluegrass is a combination of research chosen Kentucky bluegrass cultivars, selected through years of trials. This blend is suited to a variety of locations and applications from sports fields
and golf courses to landscapes. The varieties that are blended into GHG Premium Bluegrass are chosen for their high density, disease resistants, winter hardiness, fast recovery, and incredible deep green color. Spec Sheet
Performance Characteristics:
Wear tolerance: Good for recreational and light competitive use
Recovery rate: Moderate rhizome spread for repair
Aesthetics: Superior color and texture
Playability: Excellent ball roll and footing
Best Applications:
Practice fields with moderate use
Youth sports fields (younger age groups, lighter traffic)
Multi-use fields (athletics and events)
School fields with limited weekly play
Recreational league fields
Why Kentucky Bluegrass for Sports Fields:
Advantages:
Rhizomatous growth: Spreads laterally to fill divots and damaged areas naturally
Cold hardy: Survives Ontario winters (-30°C tolerance)
Traffic tolerance: Withstands cleated foot traffic better than most alternatives
Recovery: Self-repairs between games through vegetative spread
Proven performance: Industry standard for Northern sports fields
Ontario Climate Suitability:
Cool-Season Advantage:
Peak growth spring and fall (matches sports seasons)
Active recovery during prime playing months (September-November, April-June)
Winter dormancy protects against cold damage
Resumes growth early spring for spring sports
Summer Considerations:
Growth slows during July-August heat
Irrigation critical during summer camps and practices
Recovery rate decreases in heat stress
Fall overseeding may be needed after heavy summer use
Performance Expectations:
GHG Ultimate Sports Turf:
Traffic capacity: 15-25+ hours weekly (with proper maintenance)
Recovery time: 7-10 days between heavy events (with optimal conditions)
Lifespan: 5-10+ years with renovation program (topdressing, overseeding)
Playability: Consistent footing and ball response throughout season
GHG Premium Bluegrass:
Traffic capacity: 8-15 hours weekly
Recovery time: 10-14 days between heavy events
Lifespan: 5-10+ years with maintenance
Playability: Excellent for recreational use
Consultation Available:
Our sports turf specialists can discuss:
Which variety suits your field’s use level
Expected performance under your traffic patterns
Maintenance requirements and budget implications
Installation timing for sport seasons
Contact us to determine whether GHG Ultimate Sports Turf or GHG Premium Bluegrass is right for your athletic field application.
Yes, we supply both GHG Ultimate Sports Turf and GHG Premium Bluegrass for all major field sports including soccer, football, baseball outfields, lacrosse, field hockey, cricket and multi-sport athletic complexes. Our experience includes high school, college, municipal, and private athletic facilities throughout Ontario.
Sport-Specific Applications:
Football Fields:
Recommended: GHG Ultimate Sports Turf
Why:
Most demanding wear patterns of any sport
Hash marks, between-tackles box, goal line sustain extreme traffic
Cleated lateral movement and cutting
Large player size and impact forces
Practice and game schedule often overlap
Soccer Fields:
Recommended: GHG Ultimate Sports Turf (competitive) or GHG Premium Bluegrass (recreational)
Why:
Goal mouth and center circle high-traffic areas
Constant running and directional changes
Year-round use potential (spring and fall seasons)
Multi-age group use (youth through adult)
Baseball/Softball Outfields:
Recommended: GHG Premium Bluegrass (typically sufficient)
Why:
Lower traffic than football or soccer
Distributed use across outfield
Aesthetic important for sightlines
Ball roll characteristics matter
Lacrosse Fields:
Recommended: GHG Ultimate Sports Turf or GHG Premium Bluegrass
Why:
Similar dimensions to football (can share field)
Moderate to heavy traffic depending on level
Cleated cutting and directional changes
Spring season (peak growing conditions aid recovery)
Field Hockey:
Recommended: GHG Premium Bluegrass
Why:
Lower cleat traffic (minimal cleats used)
Distributed use patterns
Ball roll critical for play
Generally less wear than football/soccer
Multi-Sport Fields:
Recommended: GHG Ultimate Sports Turf
Why:
Overlapping seasons create year-round use
Wear patterns compound across sports
No recovery time between seasons
Maximum durability essential
Consultation for Field Selection:
We’ll Discuss:
Sport(s) and level of play
Weekly use hours and traffic patterns
Maintenance capabilities and budget
Timeline and constraints
Budget for sod investment
We’ll Recommend:
Appropriate variety (Ultimate vs. Premium)
Full-field or strategic zone approach
Installation timing
Establishment protocols
Realistic performance expectations
Contact Our Sports Turf Team:
Discuss your athletic field project:
Field dimensions and sport(s)
Use schedule and traffic level
Budget parameters
Installation timeline
We’ll provide variety recommendations, quantity calculations, and project planning support for successful sports field sod installation. Contact Us Today
Yes, GHG Ultimate Sports Turf can meet turfgrass species and performance requirements for sports governing body standards when properly installed and maintained. However, field certification involves comprehensive testing beyond sod quality, including construction specifications, drainage, and safety performance that are the responsibility of field designers and managers.
Understanding Standards:
FIFA Quality Programme (Soccer):
Standards for professional soccer pitch quality
Includes natural grass and synthetic turf
Natural grass must meet performance criteria for ball roll, bounce, surface hardness, traction
Species: Cool-season grasses (Kentucky Bluegrass) acceptable for temperate climates
Our sod: GHG Ultimate Sports Turf meets turfgrass species requirements
CFL Field Surface Standards:
Guidelines for player safety and performance
Natural grass or synthetic options
Kentucky Bluegrass standard for Northern climates
Field construction, drainage, maintenance critical
Our sod: Appropriate species and quality for NFL-standard fields
NCAA and Other Governing Bodies:
Various standards for collegiate and amateur athletics
Generally specify turfgrass species and maintenance protocols
Kentucky Bluegrass widely accepted
Our sod: Meets typical specifications
What Sod Can Control:
Turfgrass Quality:
Species: Kentucky Bluegrass (industry standard)
Cultivar selection: High-performance varieties
Maturity: Field-grown 12-18 months (premium)
Density: Thick, wear-tolerant turf
Root development: Mature root system
Health: Disease and pest-free
GHG Ultimate Sports Turf Provides:
Elite Kentucky Bluegrass cultivars
Premium quality exceeding typical standards
Density and maturity appropriate for athletic use
Clean, healthy turf ready for establishment
What Sod Cannot Control:
Field Construction:
Root zone composition and depth (sand-based, native soil, engineered mix)
Drainage system design and installation
Subsurface layers and materials
Grading and crown specifications
Irrigation system design
These are field designer/contractor responsibilities
Surface Performance:
Ball roll and bounce (depends on mowing height, surface firmness, maintenance)
Traction and footing (influenced by moisture, compaction, maintenance)
Surface hardness (construction and maintenance factors)
Measured through testing equipment (Clegg hammer, etc.)
Field manager controls these through cultural practices
Realistic Expectations:
Our Sod Can:
Meet turfgrass requirements for standards
Provide appropriate playing surface material
Integrate with properly constructed field
Support high-level athletic performance
Our Sod Cannot:
Guarantee certification (depends on total field package)
Compensate for poor construction or maintenance
Replace need for professional field management
Success Requires:
Proper field design and construction
Quality sod (our contribution)
Professional installation
Expert field management
Adequate budget for maintenance
Consultation Available:
Questions About Standards:
Discuss your governing body requirements
Confirm our sod suitability
Refer to field design professionals if needed
Provide supporting documentation
Project Coordination:
Work with your field architect/designer
Provide specifications for bid documents
Coordinate with construction timeline
Support installation and establishment
Contact Us:
If your project requires meeting specific sports governing body standards:
Describe the standard and certification goals
We’ll confirm our sod suitability
Provide technical documentation
Connect you with field design professionals if needed
Support your project’s success
Bottom Line:
GHG Ultimate Sports Turf is appropriate turfgrass for fields meeting FIFA, CFL, and other sports standards. Certification requires comprehensive field construction, professional installation, expert management, and third-party testing beyond sod supply. We contribute quality turf as one component of a complete high-performance athletic field system. Contact Us Today
GHG Ultimate Sports Turf and GHG Premium Bluegrass require 4-6 weeks minimum establishment before initial athletic use. Rushing the timeline risks permanent damage and poor long-term performance.
Factors Affecting Timeline:
Installation Season:
Spring (April-May): Optimal growing conditions, 4-6 week timeline typical
Summer (June-August): Heat stress slows establishment, 6-8 weeks safer
Fall (September-October): Good conditions, 4-6 weeks, but winter approaching
Late fall: Insufficient time before dormancy, wait until spring
Weather Conditions:
Cool temperatures (60-75°F): Ideal establishment rate
Hot weather (above 85°F): Slowed root growth, extended timeline
Adequate rainfall/irrigation: Faster establishment
Drought or inconsistent watering: Delayed rooting
Maintenance Intensity:
Aggressive irrigation and fertility: Faster establishment
Minimal inputs: Slower progress
Proper mowing: Stimulates growth and rooting
Neglect: Extended timeline and potential failure
Base Preparation:
Well-prepared, firm base: Faster rooting
Loose, fluffy soil: Slower rooting, unstable
Good drainage: Healthy root development
Poor drainage: Stressed roots, slow establishment
Sod Quality:
Premium maturity (GHG products): Faster rooting
Younger, thinner sod: Slower establishment
Healthy, vigorous sod: Better performance
Stressed or old sod: Extended timeline
Sport-Specific Considerations:
Football:
Most demanding establishment requirements
6-week minimum strongly recommended
Goal line and hash mark areas most vulnerable
Consider delaying full-contact until week 7-8
Soccer:
Moderate establishment demands
4-5 weeks often adequate for recreational
6 weeks for competitive levels
Goal mouth areas need extra time
Baseball Outfields:
Lower traffic than other sports
4 weeks often sufficient
Distribute use across outfield
Avoid concentrated traffic patterns
Multi-Sport Fields:
Plan for most demanding sport’s timeline
6-week minimum for overlapping football/soccer
Coordinate seasonal transitions
Build establishment into schedule
Consequences of Premature Use:
Immediate Damage:
Divots and surface tearing
Sod pieces shifting or tearing loose
Bare soil exposure
Unplayable surface conditions
Long-Term Issues:
Weak root system throughout field lifespan
Chronic thin areas requiring constant repair
Reduced traffic tolerance permanently
Shortened field lifespan
Higher maintenance costs
Lost Investment:
Sod installation wasted if damaged during establishment
Costly repairs or replacement needed
Field unusable for extended period
Reputation damage for facility/program
Our Recommendations:
Minimum Standards:
4 weeks for light recreational use
6 weeks for competitive athletic use
8 weeks for high-level football (full-contact)
Ideal Approach:
6-8 weeks for all sports
Conservative timeline protects investment
Stronger establishment = better long-term performance
Patience pays dividends
Contact for Establishment Support:
Questions About Timeline:
Sport-specific establishment recommendations
Installation timing for your schedule
Risk assessment for accelerated timelines
Establishment protocols and monitoring
We’ll Provide:
Realistic timeline for your situation
Best practices for successful establishment
Red flags to watch for
Support throughout grow-in period
Bottom Line:
Plan for 6-week establishment minimum. Shortcuts risk damaging your investment and creating long-term problems. Proper establishment ensures your sports field performs well for years, withstanding the demands of athletic use season after season. Contact Us Today
First-season maintenance must prioritize root establishment, traffic management, and gradual transition to full athletic use. Intensive care during the initial 12 weeks determines long-term field performance and durability. You must have extensive knowledge of irrigation, mowing, fertilization, aeration, and topdressing to properly manage sports field sod through establishment.
Documentation is key:
Record Keeping:
Irrigation schedule and amounts
Fertility applications (product, rate, date)
Mowing frequency and height
Aeration and topdressing dates
Traffic levels and field use
Weather events (drought, heavy rain, extreme heat)
Problems encountered and solutions
Purpose:
Track establishment progress
Identify patterns (problem areas, successful practices)
Reference for future seasons
Communicate with administrators/coaches
Professional Management:
Greenhorizons Proxstablishment
ProXstablishment is an additional service Greenhorizons Sod Farms can supply to guarantee the complete establishment of sod after the installation and first watering of sod. Any experienced turf manager can tell you that site preparation and laying the sod is only half of the job. How the turf is managed just after installation can drastically affect time-to-use or sign off of the site.
Check out our Proxstablishment Brochure
Why:
Expertise in establishment protocols
Equipment and materials access
Consistent care prevents problems
Maximizes sod investment
DIY Management:
Possible for smaller or recreational fields
Requires commitment and education
Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) resources
Extension service guidance
Common First-Season Mistakes:
Avoid:
Insufficient irrigation (leading cause of establishment failure)
Premature athletic use (permanent damage)
Skipping aeration (compaction accumulates)
Over-fertilization (disease, surge growth, environmental issues)
Mowing too short too soon (stress and thinning)
Ignoring drainage problems (compounding damage)
Success Factors:
Follow recommended timelines
Consistent maintenance (don’t skip steps)
Professional guidance when uncertain
Adequate budget for inputs
Patience with establishment
Transition to Long-Term Maintenance:
After First Season:
Established maintenance routine continues
Adjust based on turf response and use levels
Annual renovation program (overseeding, topdressing)
Ongoing aeration and fertility
Multi-year planning for field longevity
We’ll provide recommendations to support successful establishment and long-term field performance.
Bottom Line:
Intensive first-season maintenance is non-negotiable for sports field success. The care invested in months 1-12 determines whether your field performs well for 5-10 years or fails prematurely. Budget time, resources, and expertise accordingly. It’s worth the investment. Contact Us Today
Yes, GHG Ultimate Sports Turf is specifically formulated with elite Kentucky Bluegrass cultivars selected for maximum wear tolerance, rapid recovery, and durability under athletic traffic. This is not generic sod. It’s a purpose-built sports field product.
What Makes GHG Ultimate Sports Turf Different:
Cultivar Selection:
Generic Lawn Sod:
Cultivars chosen for aesthetics, low maintenance, disease resistance
Moderate traffic tolerance
Slower recovery from damage
Suitable for lawns, not athletics
GHG Ultimate Sports Turf:
Cultivars specifically rated for wear tolerance on NTEP trials
Aggressive rhizome production (rapid lateral spread)
Fast vertical growth rate (quick recovery)
Dense tillering (thick turf resists thinning)
Selected for athletic field performance
NTEP Performance Data:
National Turfgrass Evaluation Program:
Independent university research trials
Tests cultivars under various conditions including traffic
Rates performance: Poor, Fair, Good, Very Good, Excellent
Our cultivars: “Very Good” to “Excellent” ratings for traffic tolerance
Key Metrics:
Wear tolerance: Resistance to damage from traffic
Recuperative ability: Speed of recovery after damage
Density: Turf thickness under stress
Quality retention: Maintaining appearance under use
Rhizomatous Growth:
Why It Matters:
Kentucky Bluegrass spreads via underground stems (rhizomes)
Damaged areas filled in by lateral spread from adjacent turf
Self-repairing capability essential for sports fields
Differentiates bluegrass from bunch-type grasses (ryegrass, fescue)
GHG Ultimate Sports Turf:
Cultivars with vigorous rhizome production
Rapid spread into divots and bare spots
Natural renovation capability
Reduces need for frequent overseeding
Comparison:
Weak rhizome varieties: Slow recovery, thin areas persist
Strong rhizome varieties: Rapid filling, maintains density
Breeding vs. Selection:
We Don’t Breed Grass:
Cultivar development is done by university and seed company researchers
Takes 10-15 years to develop and release new cultivar
Extensive testing for performance characteristics
We Select the Best:
Evaluate NTEP trial data annually
Choose top-performing cultivars for sports applications
Blend multiple elite varieties
Stay current with latest releases
Our Expertise:
Identifying which cultivars perform for Ontario sports fields
Blending ratios for optimal performance
Growing to sports-field quality standards
Success Factors:
Sod Quality (Our Contribution):
Elite cultivar genetics
Premium maturity and density
Excellent health and vigor
Proper harvest and delivery timing
Field Construction:
Adequate drainage
Proper root zone depth and composition
Good base preparation
Maintenance (Field Manager):
Aggressive fertility and irrigation
Frequent aeration
Strategic overseeding
Traffic management
Professional care maximizes genetics
All Three Required: Best genetics + proper construction + expert management = successful sports field
Our Recommendation:
Invest in GHG Ultimate Sports Turf for competitive fields
GHG Premium Bluegrass for recreational use
Right product for application ensures success
Contact Our Sports Turf Specialists:
Discuss your field’s needs:
Traffic levels and sport demands
Budget considerations
Performance expectations
Cultivar information and data
We’ll recommend the appropriate product and provide documentation supporting your investment in purpose-built sports field sod.
Bottom Line:
GHG Ultimate Sports Turf represents 40+ years of sports field experience, latest cultivar research, and commitment to athletic field performance. It’s specifically bred (by university researchers) and selected (by us) for wear tolerance and recovery. Exactly what sports fields demand. Contact Us Today
Yes, Greenhorizons has a specialized team of installers for sports fields. We have an extensive fleet of equipment for installing sports field sod, and a vast network of farms and delivery trucks that help us serve most of Southern Ontario. If you have a sports field project and you require installation services, be sure to reach out to us today. Contact Us Today