To advertise in this section contact
Peter Britton on 01747 855335 email:
peter@pitchcare.com
Bowls Classifieds SPRING SPORTS TURF CONTRACTORS D W Clark DRAINAGE LTD
SPECIALIST SPORTSTURF CONSTRUCTION & DRAINAGE CONTRACTORS • Gravel Banding • Sand Slitting
• Top Dressing • Renovation • Irrigation Unit 7, Brailes Industrial Estate, Winderton Lane, Lower Brailes Banbury, Oxfordshire OX15 5JW
Tel: 01608 685800 Fax: 01608 685801 email:
jim@dwclarkdrainageltd.co.uk Web:
www.dwclarkdrainageltd.co.uk SPORTSTURF
D CRANE EST. 1984
CONSTRUCTION Golf Courses and Sports Fields
Sand Slitting, Gravel Banding, Piped Drainage DRAINAGE Koro Top Dressing, Overseeding, Sand Spreading Verti Draining, Scarifying, Hollow Coring,
For further details & consultation contact 07860 458822 or 07921 290985
Tel: 01772 780545
danvicturfcare@btconnect.com
Mobile: 07768 122577
www.EARTHBOUND
SERVICES.co.uk SPORTS PITCH SPECIALIST
An instant solution to poorly drained pitches this season. The Sandmaster can provide drainage solutions by injecting sand into the turf by continuous channels without any disruption to play.
ALSO •Koro Cutting •Laser Grading •Stone Removal •Excavations
FTS
Sportsground & Amenity Contractors
Cricket Pitch Specialists
Unit 5, Beenham Industrial Estate Reading, Berkshire RG7 5PP Tel: 0118 9714420 Mob: 07768 696291 Fax: 0118 9714522
www.fts-sportsturf.co.uk 114
• Sports Pitch Construction • Earthworks • Maintenance • Drainage & Irrigation • Custom Grown Turf
• Install n Playball Turf Tiles 01400 251605
www.fine-turf.co.uk info@fine-turf.co.uk
Fungicide, Pesticide, Herbicide
RENOVATION SPRAYING
SCONSTRUCTION DRAINAGE
Sand Slitting, Gravel Banding V RENOVATION
erti Draining, Hollow Coring, Scarifying, Koro Field Topmaker, Topdressing, Overseeding, Sand Spreading
MAINTENANCE
Spring Maintenance of Bowling Greens by David H Bates
weather, soil and air temperatures begin rising above 10O
T ports Fields and Golf Courses
encouraging and stimulating grass growth.
C, thus 01883 340969 email:
earthbounds1@aol.com Kevin Baker
It is during March and early April that spring renovations are carried out to prepare the greens for the forthcoming playing season. The main objective for the greenkeepers is to provide a consistent playing surface. The first operation is to firm up the greens, particularly after a period of frosts, when the ground has been lifted. This is carried out by rolling the green using a mower in the disengaged mode (no cylinder blades working) walking slowly in several directions over the surface of your green. Subsequent rolling can be carried out using a 50kg weight roller. When rolling, think of a clock face; the first run starting at 12 o’clock and finishing at 6 o’clock. Then starting at 3 o’clock and finishing at 9 o’clock. Work around the clock when conditions allow, not when the soil is saturated or frosted. Ideally, perform this operation when the surface is drying out and the sub surface is moist. This will help firm the playing surface. A programme of surface aeration is beneficial, particularly to help drain away any surface water or address any surface compaction resulting from recent rolling activities. This can be achieved using a Sarrel Roller or a set of micro tines attached to a pedestrian mechanical spiker. Most of the deeper aeration
works should have been completed during the winter months, i.e. November to February. Try to avoid the use of slit tines during the spring and summer as these types of aerators can lead to surface disruption, affecting playability. If you need to aerate during the playing season use solid tines.
may need to apply a dressing of lawn sand. This will help check any moss growth that has accumulated during the winter months. This should be carried out prior to any scarification work being undertaken. The moss should either turn black in colour or be visibly dead prior to raking/scarification procedures. A programme of light
scarification works, using verticutting reels or dedicated scarifying machines set at a shallow depth, can be implemented in spring to remove any debris.
Once growth has picked up, you
he onset of the bowls playing season usually begins in March when favourable
Daily brushing and switching should continue to keep the greens clean and remove any early morning dew. Keeping the sward dry, particularly in the spring, helps minimise the likelihood of any disease attacks. Worm activity will increase as the soil temperatures begin to rise and the soils remain moist. It may be necessary to apply an approved product to control worm activity. Ideally, you should have carried out a soil analysis to establish the nutrient status and pH of your green. The results of this test will help you determine an effective fertiliser programme for the coming year.
Mowing
Mowing is one of the most important practices and should be carried out on a regular basis. Cutting frequencies will depend on the weather and ground conditions. During the playing season, March to October, the greens should be cut at least three times a week, if not daily. Machines should be at least 7 to 9 bladed cylinder mowers that are well maintained and sharp. Height
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