Water remained on the ground for over two weeks resulting in 50% loss of grass cover!
cover being lost
A successful end of season renovation is also a key factor in helping the grass survive the rigors of the floods. Tim likes to ensure that he gets a good dense cover of grass growing into the winter months. This year’s end of season renovations involved the following operations:
• The square was fraised mown, taking 6 mm of debris off the square.
• Scarified using the Graden in two directions finishing in the line of play.
• Aerated using a Patterson solid tine spiker to create a key for the dressing
• Top dressed applying 6 bags of GOSTD supernatural loam per pitch (23 pitches)
• Overseeded in four directions with 8 bags of grass seed (40% Greenway, 40% Greenfair and 20% Ace (a modification of Rigby Taylor's R9 seed mix)
• Application of autumn winter fetiliser 5-5-10 to square.
disperse totally and be left with a layer of silt on the square. So, when the water reaches a depth between 300mm-450mm (12”-16”) they begin to drag mat the square. This is achieved by a well- rehearsed method of attaching a drag mat to two long ropes pulled by the groundstaff from either end of the square. They continue to disperse the silt over several days until the flood water has completely gone. No further work can be carried out on the square until it has dried out sufficiently. This can take at least a week. The next job is to remove all the debris
from the ground. It is surprising the amount of rubbish that the floods deposits. Tim and his team will clear away at least six large skips full of cans, bottles, branches and leaves.
It is not possible to disperse the silt on the outfield in the same manner as on the square. The staff have to wait to until
the floodwaters have gone and the surface is dry enough to work on. It is important to get the grass standing up again and get some air back into the soil profile. This is achieved by brushing, harrowing and aeration. The water will often deposit residues of oil and pollutants so, in the spring, Tim will carry out soil testing to check the nutrient status and toxicity of the soil profiles in both the square and outfields. This gives a health check of the facility and enables Tim to decide on an appropriate course of action to rectify any problems.
The grass on both the square and outfield usually recovers quite quickly; it all depends on how long the floods cover the ground. In most cases the floodwater only remains on the ground for a few days. However, the last time it flooded, water remained on the ground for over two weeks, resulting in over 50% of grass
Repainting and refurbishing water- damaged structures is left until late March when the flood season is, hopefully, over. But, with this latest flood coming earlier than usual, Tim and his staff may well have to repeat the whole process again before the start of the 2007 playing season.
IT is a similar story at Worcester Racecourse where Estate Manager, Andrew Bourton, also has plenty of experience of flooding, having worked at the course for the past 26 years. Worcester Racecourse is a one mile five furlong Hurdle and Chase course that operates a racing calendar from March- November. As soon as the racing season has finished Andrew and staff begin the task of removing the fences, to a flood safe area, where they are stored and refurbished over winter. Andrew is in a similar boat to Tim
(excuse the pun) and also has to store materials and machinery, plus carpets and furniture, on an area of the site not affected by the floods. Andrew and his five staff keep themselves updated with the latest weather forecasts. They know that within
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