Pitch perfection: Vila Belmiro’s preparation for winter | OneFootball

To ensure that the pitch at Estádio Urbano Caldeira continues to offer the best playing conditions throughout June and July, Santos FC has begun a rigorous agronomic engineering schedule. With the arrival of colder weather, the metabolism and development of the natural grass base slow down. To overcome this climate challenge and maintain Vila Belmiro’s technical and visual excellence, a series of high-tech interventions is being applied. The process is carried out by World Sports, a company that has provided services to the Club since 1997. In addition to taking care of the pitch at Estádio Urbano Caldeira, it is also responsible for maintaining the pitches at CT Rei Pelé and CT Meninos da Vila.

The main stages of the maintenance process are:

– Strategic Replanting: Uniformity in Every Square Meter

The foundation for top-level football is a dense and safe pitch. For this reason, precise replanting is being carried out in the areas of the field subject to the greatest mechanical wear — such as the penalty areas (where goalkeeper movement is intense) and the players’ warm-up zones. This intervention ensures a level, flaw-free surface, protecting players and stabilizing traction in all areas of the pitch.

– Overseeding (Winter Seeding): The Secret to a Pitch That Stays Green

To ensure that the field does not lose density as temperatures drop, overseeding with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) is being used. This cool-season grass species is sown over the existing base, creating a thick cover that ensures ideal cushioning and vibrant color. This stage is what allows the pitch to maintain its high sporting performance during the winter, preparing it for a perfect transition in the spring.

– Topdressing (Sand Covering): Levelling for the Ball to Roll

A fast, technical pitch, in the style of Santos FC, requires an impeccable surface. Topdressing consists of the precise application of a layer of specific sand over the grass. Its main objective is to eliminate the small uneven spots caused by the impact of stud marks during matches, allowing the grass to grow evenly and ensuring that the ball rolls smoothly and without unwanted bounces.

– High-Tech Nutrition: Foliar Fertilization

During the colder months, traditional nitrogen fertilization is drastically reduced to prevent fungal diseases from appearing in the turf. To make up for this lower use of granular mineral fertilizers, the agronomic team uses advanced foliar fertilizers, such as those in the ONE TURF line. This technology allows for rapid, direct absorption through the leaves, keeping the plant healthy and nourished even under thermal stress.

– Daily Inspection and Maintenance: Ongoing Care

The excellence of a football pitch is built on daily attention to detail. A highly trained team carries out constant maintenance, including precise mowing, strict line marking, and daily technical inspections for preventive turf management. It is this daily, clinical assessment that ensures the entire plan responds perfectly to the pitch’s needs throughout the year.

Data Monitoring and Performance Evaluation

Santos FC’s pitch management is data-driven. The success of this winter plan will be monitored through technical and objective performance indicators, measured every 15 days by the maintenance team. This data is recorded in standardized spreadsheets, allowing for quick decisions and ensuring that Vila Belmiro always provides the best stage for our athletes.

(Photos: Reinaldo Campos/Santos FC)

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.