New pitch for the Werkself

This week all the turf at the BayArena was removed and the base level below was aerated. "We have worked-in soil nutrients and that will allow the roots of the new turf to take up nutrients straightaway," explained Georg Schmitz, head of the ground staff at Bayer 04. Finally, the 1.2 metre wide and 15 metre long rolls of turf were rolled out and laid next to each other - the first cut will be made tomorrow (Saturday). The ground staff ordered the turf from Schwerin as it is particularly hard-wearing. "Theoretically, you could play on it in three days," said Schmitz but – in ideal weather conditions – it takes around eight weeks for the new playing surface to bed in. Until then, it is a question of mowing, feeding and watching.
The pitch at the neighbouring Ulrich Haberland Stadium  is also being replaced at the moment. After the turf is taken away, work will be done on the undersoil heating before the new seed is sown. The surface will probably be playable again at the beginning of September.