Clearing Land for a New Soccer Field

As a coach, you want to provide the ultimate practice and game facilities for your players. However, resources can be hard to come by — and many schools and municipal fields see multipurpose use that doesn’t always let you take to the turf whenever you like. What if you decide to DIY?

If so, your first step involves preparing your plot for your new facility. Here’s what you need to know about clearing land for a new soccer field.

1. Check Zoning Regulations

Before you spend a dime, you should check with your city council and zoning board for many reasons. If you are a private landowner, this suggestion might raise your hackles a bit — but planning can save you significant headaches down the road. Performing your due diligence could also help you generate revenue from your project.

For example, if you are a private landowner, you might think little of smoothing over the back 40 for practice purposes. If you reserve your field only for running drills with your team, you shouldn’t run into much trouble.

However, if you want to recoup your building revenue by renting out your facility to other clubs and organizations, you may need to apply for a variance. Your municipality will raise concerns about noise, traffic, and parking, all of which are legitimate issues that can cause friction with neighbors.

Please go through the proper channels to avoid frustrating and potentially costly orders to cease operations.

2. Rent the Right Equipment

Have you ever tried to clear a sizable plot by hand? If you start getting achy pulling the weeds in your front lawn, you know it’s time to call in the big guns. The right tools can make clearing and leveling your future soccer field a snap.

For example, renting a skid steer can help you clear land overgrown with bushes and trees. Consult with your vendor — they can recommend the right bucket or other attachments to tackle the harsher obstacles dotting your plot. They can assist with tips on handling trees and tree stumps, rocks, and water issues.

This heavy-duty equipment will mulch much of your organic debris, creating richly fertilized soil for your future sod. 

3. Call 811

Even though you’re creating a level soccer field, you will likely have to do some digging. For example, if you opt for a permanent, in-ground soccer goal, you’ll need to pour concrete to mount it in the earth. You might likewise decide to install stands or lights, either immediately upon construction or later down the road.

Please stay safe during your build by dialing 811 before you start digging. Why? You don’t want to hit any buried gas lines, potentially interrupting service or even causing an explosion. Ensure you set aside a few extra days for your municipality to research the property before you break ground.

4. Establish Weed Control

You want to keep your new facility looking sharp and weed-free. Half the battle begins before you lay sod. Treat your freshly mulched earth with pesticide before you seed it. If you want to avoid glyphosate because of the possible health risks, opt for a solution of horticultural vinegar and dish soap.

You’ll have to keep up with weed control throughout the growing season. Once your grass comes in, you’ll need to mow often enough that you only remove the top one-third of the grass blade with each trim. Pull any weeds you find up by the roots when you perform this maintenance and treat the empty hole with a weed killer.

5. Choose the Hardiest Grass

Soccer fields see a lot of abuse. What kind of grass can stand up to cleats?

Experts recommend opting for either Kentucky bluegrass or Bermudagrass. Talk to the associates at your local nursery to determine which one works best for your area. One or the other might be more resistant to common diseases in your region.

Know the Basics Before Clearing Land for Your New Field

If you struggle to rent space at municipal or school fields, you aren’t alone. Clearing land for a soccer field can be a worthwhile and even lucrative project when you follow the above steps.

Author Bio:

Oscar Collins is the managing editor at Modded. He writes about cars, fitness, the outdoors and more. Follow @TModded on Twitter for more articles from the Modded team.