Like all industries, the turf industry has its own jargon that can seem confusing to the outsider. To give you a better idea of some of the phrases used on TurfPages™, we’ve compiled a glossary of commonly-used turf terms to help you use our website. If you have any suggestions for words we’ve missed, then please contact us so we can add them.

Aerators

Aeration is the process in which the soil is loosened, allowing it to ‘breathe’. A lack of aeration can cause considerable problems for turf.

Agrochemicals

The generic term for agricultural chemicals, mostly used by professionals involved in the turf industry.

Fertilising

Fertiliser is what is used to help the turf develop a healthy and uniform appearance, by adding nutrients. There is no universal mixture for fertiliser, and it can range from man-made chemical mixtures through to manure.

Fungicides

Chemicals designed to kill fungi that can affect grasses, such as mushrooms or even growths on the grass itself.

Horticulture

Horticulture is the technical term for gardening.

Irrigation

A technical term for the process of introducing water to turf. This can be essential during drought periods, but needs to be regulated carefully.

Mowing

The process in which the grass is reduced in height via the method of cutting, such as with a lawnmower.

Nursery

A nursery is the area in which plants such as turf are deliberately cultivated.

Post-Holing

The process of creating holes for posts used in fencing. Machinery is available for this process, although it can be done by hand.

Scarification

Vertical mowing. An essential maintenance procedure for any turf with high levels of thatch (see below).

Shredders

A shredder, in horticultural terms, is a piece of machinery designed to shred garden debris to make it easier to dispose of.

Stump Grinders

A machine for removing tree stumps via grinding them away.

Sward

The land covered by turf.

Thatch

A layer of partially decomposed organic matter within the grass.

Top Dressing

A prepared mixture of soil to be placed on top of the turf to improve the growth of the turf and to reduce thatch.

Wetting Agents

Chemicals to improve the water absorption of a surface, which leads to a better growth and appearance of the turf.

Worm casts

 Soil and plant remains from earthworms that leave deposits on the top of the soil. Although earthworms are extremely important for a healthy lawn, the worm casts can look unsightly.