Introduction:

These standards apply only to cultivated turf produced by members of the Turfgrass Growers Association (TGA) and can be supplied with a declaration that it meets set criteria. The intention is to set a minimum standard for good quality cultivated turf for use in general landscape situations. Turf intended for some uses on sports facilities demands a more rigorous standard, particularly in relation to soil type, which this standard does not address. Turf consisting predominantly of agricultural or wild grasses cannot by definition meet the TGA quality standard. The TGA website can be visited via this link TGA Website

Declaration:

The results of the following assessments, together with a statement that the turf has been grown from good quality turfgrass cultivars on a suitable soil type are to be recorded on a declaration form completed by the turf grower or his agent on the day of lifting and made available to customers.

Properties of turf meeting the TGA Standards

Dimensions:

The dimensions of the turves in the consignment are to be declared. The most common type of cultivated turf in the UK is the roll. Rolls are usually one of three different widths, 16, 24, or 26 inches of varying lengths to make either a square metre or square yard. ‘Big rolls’ in a variety of dimensions (most commonly 25 square yards in area) are increasingly popular for large scale landscape projects. Turf may also be supplied in rectangular pieces of other sizes to be agreed with the customer in advance.

Deviation from the declared size shall be plus or minus 15 mm in width and plus or minus 5% in length.

General health of the turf:

The sward must be green and must not be visibly affected by any pest or disease.

Soil classification:

Suitable types of soil for turf production for landscape purposes are peats, sands (including organic sand) and loams containing less than 40% clay as determined by particle size analysis. Turf grown on soil designated as ‘clay’ is not suitable for general landscape purposes.