It rains so often up here we have developed webbed feet!
mid June, the grass was starting to establish quite nicely. We applied 250kgs of 12:0:9 at the end of June and also added a dose of 0:0:37 slow release potassium to help retain a decent level of this easily leached nutrient. At this time we also sprayed the surface with a preventative fungicide.
When July came it was
C were recorded in the stadium. Mid July we applied another 250kgs of 12:0:9.
The pitch was being cut
regularly but, by August, the seed drill lines were still very much in evidence. The plant was thickening out but it was clear to us that the heavy downpour in May had washed a lot of surface seed away and we had been left only with the deep planted seed. We started to do more over seeding using our Blec seeder as well as applying wetting agents at two week intervals to help cope with the dry weather. The wetting agents help to keep the water going through the profile, allowing us to keep the pitch watered
scorching. There was no need to go away for our holidays and we seemed to have the irrigation on endlessly, just trying to keep the surface cool. On the 17th July temperatures of 43O
uniformly. Water during the playing season is our key to keeping a high sand content pitch stable. At the end of August some
growth stimulants in the form of Amino-Form F and
nitrogen and higher potassium feed will further strengthen the plant for the endurance of our Blackburn Rovers fixture list. I will also be applying some Rigby Taylor Activate-
Activate F were used to encourage more rooting. As I write, the rooting on the pitch has improved to between 100 and 150mm, depending on where you take the samples. Obviously in the heavily shaded areas, the plant isn’t doing as well as the more open grassed areas. We have continued to apply a reasonably high rate of nitrogen, but this will now change as we move towards the cooler months and I will be using a Scotts 7:0:14 through the winter. The hope is that a lower
R granules on a monthly basis as well as some Ironite fertiliser and root stimulant in November. I don’t know of any other pitch in the Premiership that has so little
stabilisation. Other than a few square metres in the goalmouths, we have none. As we start to lose grass cover during the winter months, then we run the risk of losing stability, which is always a major concern for us.
As the club are in the
UEFA Cup this year we have more fixtures scheduled, as
well as having to host some reserve games as well. As has happened in the past, the manager will probably want to have some training sessions too. Of course we are only too happy to oblige, and will deal with the consequences after the event. It’s swings and roundabouts in this job. One season the fixtures and weather go for you, the next year they don’t - that’s what makes the job so fascinating. For example, and just looking forward to Xmas week, I have the fixture list for the season in front of me. Potentially, we could be hosting a Carling Cup match, a UEFA Cup match with training sessions, Liverpool live on Sky on Boxing Day and Middlesbrough at home on the 30th. No doubt the boss will also want to train at the main stadium on Xmas day as this is his favourite treat to the groundstaff every year. This will mean that I, and all my team, will be working once again on Xmas day. We will have to divot, cut and mark the pitch ready for the Boxing Day match.
And, no doubt, to top off a wonderful Xmas, we will probably get the home draw on the 3rd of January for the FA Cup! We could lose the surface that week, but we'll worry about that when we get there.
Good luck to you all this season-keep taking the valium!
Days OFF!
... or what Pitchcare readers get up to out of office hours
DAVE ROBERTS, Sales &Marketing Manager, Kubota UK Limited: I joined Kubota 17 years ago, starting off in the Sales office and gradually working my way up to my present post of Sales and Marketing Manager for the Tractors and Groundcare Division. Most of my time is divided between my young family and Kubota, so I have limited time for other pursuits but, when some free time does becomes available, I like to play a bit of golf, trying to improve my handicap of 20 (ish). My favourite golf course to play is The Oxfordshire which is near to where I live. I also try and watch Rugby Union, attending as many games as I can at Kingsholm, the home of Gloucester Rugby Club, as well as my local club Chinnor RFC who have recently being promoted to the national leagues. My only other distraction, away from Kubota and the family, is riding my motorbike, a Suzuki SV1000 - a great boys toy! I usually try and get out and about with some friends during the summer.
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