when the grass cover is limiting and conditions are suitable for their development. Apart from ensuring a good grass cover, annual weed spraying treatments can be essential in order to give the grass cover a better chance to develop an even and dense cover throughout.
• Earthworms too, can quickly impair the playing surface bringing muddy conditions. Chemical spray treatments to temporarily control the forming of worm casts are essential if a clean grass cover is to be maintained.
• Sand top-dressings help to consolidate slippery clay loam surfaces but are only really beneficial on an even grade where, as a layer, the sand conveys water run-off better than an unstable clay surface. As a treatment they are essential after secondary drainage installation.
Renovation
With the limited period between the end of the playing season and the start of the next, renovation measures have to be well planned and executed. Scarification, vertidraining,
relevelling and overseeding must be completed before the hot summer is under way. Goalkeeping areas need special treatment especially decompaction. The correct application of a well balanced formulation of mineral nutrients too are essential to enable the pitch to recover and properly establish for the season ahead.
Summary
Sand construction or the installation of intensive drainage measures are costly means to ensure firm dry conditions throughout the wet winter period. However, sound basic methods of construction followed by timely simple treatments can help considerably to sustain satisfactory playing conditions throughout the winter. Without these essentials in place maintaining acceptable playing conditions throughout the wet winter months can be a hopeless task.
Gordon Jaaback BSc Agric Consulting Agronomist & Project Manager Tel: (44) 1732 350351
Gordon Jaaback
“Maintaining acceptable playing conditions in wet winter months can be a hopeless task”
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