ZeoTurf™ is a natural, zeolite soil amendment offered by Arbor Rock.

What are zeolites?
Zeolites are a family of natural and synthetic crystalline materials. Natural zeolites formed when volcanic ash, aluminosilicates of alkaline and alkalineearths, either settled into lakes or water percolated through the ash beds. In either case, the chemical reaction of volcanic ash and water resulted in formation of natural zeolites. Different depositional environments (temperature, location, ash/water composition) present during formation explain why each natural zeolite has its own unique properties. Further, the alumina and silica from the ash deposit are arranged in a three-dimensional, cage-like, lattice structure. This honeycombed framework resembles a microscopic sponge with numerous pockets or spaces, and consistent diameter interconnecting channels. Physical structure also differentiates and gives rise to uniqueness of natural zeolites.

There are some 40-50 members of the natural zeolite family. Of the naturally occurring zeolites, clinoptilolite, commonly called “clino” is the most abundant.

Cation Exchange Capacity:
Excess oxygen in the alumina molecules gives the zeolite framework a negative charge. Chemicals that dissolve in water as electrically charged units are called “ions,” with the positively charged ions being called “cations.” Clino’s negative charge and open framework allows it to trap cations (positively charged ions) such as sodium, potassium, and calcium along with water molecules and hold them there until they are needed. This phenomenon of freely exchanging positively charged atoms (cations) for other positively charged atoms is known as Cation Exchange Capacity (“CEC”). Naturally occurring zeolites demonstrate some of the highest CEC available. In addition to its high CEC’s, zeolite has a selectivity for some of the ions important to plant growth but does not strongly favor one ion over the others, and does not load up on one ion.

Water holding capacity, absorption/desorption:
Zeolites contain 35+% void volume in their lattice framework and have water-holding capacity available to plants of 50% by weight. In addition, zeolites have the ability to reversibly absorb/desorb water without chemical or physical change in their structure.

While zeolites have many other unique properties that can be utilized in many applications (odor control, feed additives, waste-water treatment, etc.) it is in the area of turf management as a soil additive that is the subject of this discussion.

Zeolite’s cation exchange interaction with fertilizers and other soil nutrients, and its water holding capacity, are well documented in the literature. It is these qualities that are the reasons for its technical and economic benefits and differentiates it from the other inorganic soil amendments. In fact, NASA has chosen a natural zeolite to be one of the base soil materials for growing food in space. NASA chose natural zeolites over diatomaceous earth, ceramics, calcined clays, and uncalcined clays.

ZeoTurf™:ZeoTurf™ is the natural zeolite available through Arbor Rock. ZeoTurf™ was introduced primarily for sports material applications, such as athletic playing fields and golf greens. ZeoTurf™’s CEC’s and purity are among the highest quality available in the market (190 and 93%, respectively). The physical and chemical properties are shown in the accompanying charts (click on Product Specifications).

ZeoTurf™’s uses as a soil amendment include, but aren’t limited to:
1.) Aerification – sports turf and golf greens
2.) Top Dressing – sports turf and lawns
3.) Landscape Mixes
4.) Golf Course Mixes – for fairways and greens
5.) Turfgrass production

ZeoTurf™'s benefits as it relates to turf management:
1.) Increased fertilizer efficiency
a. Increases Cation Exchange Capacity (“CEC”)
b. Improves nitrogen retention and reduces nitrate leaching
c. Improves potassium retention and reduces potassium leaching
d. Decreases total amount of fertilizer required
e. Decreases frequency of fertilizer applications
f. Improves utilization of nitrogen and phosphorus
g. Allows slow release of nutrients
2.) Water Conservation
a. Excellent water holding properties
b. Improves water drainage
c. Increases water available to plants
d. Increases length of time between irrigations
e. Increases infiltration and percolation rates
f. Decreases water runoff, ponding, and waste, which lead
to decreased irrigation efficiency
g. Improves drought tolerance
h. Reduces localized dry spots
i. Relieves compacted soils
j. Provides excellent tolerance to traffic
k. Speeds turfgrass establishment
l. Improves root growth through improving root zone aeration
m. Reduces black layer problems

Arbor Rock believes that ZeoTurf™ should be an integral part of your turf management program, and can solve many of the problems facing professional turf and sportsfield managers.

GroundsKeeper™ is a vitrified clay soil conditioner offered by Arbor Rock.

What is vitrified clay?
Vitrified clay is made by firing in a rotary kiln at over 2000°F producing a stable porous ceramic granule (not to be confused with calcined clays, which are heated at temperatures above 1000°F until the combined water is removed and the plastic character of the clay is destroyed). Vitrified clay granules contain 66½% pore space, 42%/58% non-capillary to capillary pore space, thus improving water, air and nutrient control within the root zone. The CEC’s of vitrified clays are in the 6 range compared to a CEC of 3 for sands.

GroundsKeeper™ benefits as it relates to turf management:

1.) Retains moisture and nutrients within the root zone
2.) Improves percolation and air movement throughout the root zone
3.) Reduces compaction of the root zone, providing a permanent aerification
4.) Insulates the root zone providing additional heat protection.
5.) Will not break down to physical or chemical elements

TurfKeeper™ is a blended soil amendment offered by Arbor Rock which offers the combined benefits of ZeoTurf™ and GroundsKeeper™. While many programs will combine soil amendments such as peat, compost, mulch, and vermiculite, with sand as the primary component, TurfKeeper™ provides all the benefits of sand and most of the other amendments without the associated deficiencies. In many areas, water availability and environmental considerations are becoming an increasingly important component in the turf management decision-making process. TurfKeeper™ was developed to address these concerns as well as achieve the maximum overall performance result. On a program cost/benefit performance analysis TurfKeeper™ is one of the most economical alternatives available.

If you would like solutions to:
• Water conservation
• Fertilizer efficiency
• Pollution reduction
• Appearance
• Turf playability

TurfKeeper™ is your best alternative.

Let us help put you at the top of your market with the quality products listed below.

The following selections represent our most popular materials, however, it is only a small representation of the products offered by Arbor Rock. If you do not see what you are looking for, please contact us via email here or by calling 800-423-8852.