To advertise in this section contact Classifieds
Peter Britton on 01952 898516 email:
peter@pitchcare.com
ARTIFICIAL Artificial turf and synthetic grass supply & installation
We offer a full range products and services including: Synthetic Grass Pitches • Multi Use Games Areas Tennis court resurfacing and remarking Synthetic Cricket Wickets • Sports fencing
plant reached maturity, the seed head used to tremble with the slightest breeze and, over large areas, it used to create a shimmering surface of some spectacle. These days though, it is the stuff of nightmares to many a groundsman or greenkeeper, and we have had to develop techniques to counteract its invasion. One thing is for sure, it will get into your sward sooner or later, and you had better be prepared for it. So, surface scarification becomes an important part of any pitch care project that, coupled with surface hygiene, should be practised at every available opportunity.
and leaving the residue behind to be trampled in the next time the pitch is used, as this is counterproductive. I am still surprised that, even today, some top class groundsmen do not go over the pitch after a match with a rotary mower collector to collect the detritus from the match, but leave it to let nature take its course. The net effect is to see yellow patches where the clods and divots have been left, further putting the already stressed plant to further exposure of disease and fungal infection.
provided the right weather conditions prevail, will assist in keeping the surface aerated and allow the green matter to breakdown and the nutrients utilised for the benefit of the plant’s regrowth.
Continual light scarification, There is little point in scarifying
Sports pitch maintenance services • Ancillary Services Fencing • Sport Equipment and Supply Line marking • Maintenance and Repairs
Tel: 0871 288 3425 Email:
info@astrosport.co.uk www.astrosport.co.uk
CYLINDER GRINDERS
rather than practical response. After the scarifying, get hold of a disc seeder to place the seed where it is most needed, i.e. in the soil, not scattered all over the surface, where the old adage of ‘one for the pigeon, one for the crow, one to rot and one to grow’ comes in. Work with Mother Nature on this. If it’s not going to rain, and you have no irrigation, wait until the forecast is more in your favour - although, if the seed is placed into the soil, it will germinate when the moisture gets to it - it will make life much less stressful, not only for yourself but for the playing surface itself. Germination from a disc seeder is far higher than the broadcast type and the growing in between the row time, particularly with the newer Super Compact seeders with a 35mm spacing, is minimal We have greenkeepers who tell us that they are getting 99% germination with the super compact. How do they know this? I have this picture in my mind of them on their hands and knees crawling up and down the slots prising them apart, counting the seeds and checking the germination on a regular basis! It has been worked out that,
procedure. There are light sportsfield harrows available at little cost and they, whilst not the panacea to all problems, will assist in keeping the surface aerated to some degree, and the surface debris loose, thus enabling the natural elements to move or help them breakdown. This, coupled with a regular linear deep aeration that will oxygenate to depth, as well as fissure laterally between the blades, will allow root growth and help stabilise the surface. So, after the surface has been
aerated and allowed to breathe, we need to think about seeding. How often do we see groundsmen going over the areas of high wear with a bucket of seed and soil, filling in divot holes and bare patches without preparing the area first? Well, it may make them feel better having done it, but I feel this is a more emotional
This need not be an expensive
after as few as ten to twelve applications with the Super Compact, up to 80% of the grass species can be replaced. So, Poa Annua, watch out, we are on your case! We spend hours of our lives preparing the ground, sowing the seed and pricking and preening the resulting growth, only for it all to be trampled and abused by the homosapiens who exert the greatest footprint per square centimetre of anything that travels over a pitch. Not only do they run on it, but jump up and down, slide, spin - and all this with studs on their feet - tearing out chunks of the plants that are so lovingly tended ... and leave us needing to start all over again. Little and often is a phrase that should be borne in mind during the playing season and, wherever possible during cutting, cart off the clippings, or cut it often to minimise the amount left behind.
F.T. MACHINES
NEW - USED - RECONDITIONED MOWER SHARPENING MACHINES SPARES - GRINDING WHEELS
ianfearftm@aol.com 07774 258052
www.foleyunited.com www.nearytec.com
DRAINAGE 45
Cost effective drainage quick and neat trenching work with minimal disruption to play.
DRAINAGE SPECIALISTS
DESIGN & INSTALLATION PRIMARY SYSTEMS SAND SLITTING & GRAVEL BANDING
Tel.01722 716361
www.mjabbott.co.uk
AFT Trenchers
Tel: 01787 311811
info@trenchers.co.uk www.trenchers.co.uk
Tel: 01462 683031 email:
admin@huntergrinders.com
www.huntergrinders.com
Draining and Gravel Banding
also Vertidraining, Hollow Coring, Overseeding, Field Top Maker, Deep Scarifying
Mobile: 07860 259692
Tel: 01284 735105 Email:
peter@buryturfcare.com www.buryturfcare.com
Philip Dixon Contractors Ltd Established 1978
Sportsturf Drainage Specialist Drainage Construction Renovation
Advertise in this section for as little as £200 a year
Telephone: 01952 898516 for further details
Slitting Banding Maintenance
Tel 01772 877289 (Preston, Lancs) Email:
info@dixondrainage.co.uk www.dixondrainage.co.uk
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