SPRAYERS
Pitchcare Classifieds TOPDRESSING & LOAM
Ongar Loam cricket dressing and top quality golf and bowls dressings
Order direct from the manufacturer and our distributors
Moreton, Ongar, Essex, CM5 0HY
Tel: 01277 890246 Fax: 01277 890105
gone which, in turn, will help you plan the work for next season.
You may need to seek quotations for machinery and materials. Be prepared for next season. Failure to prepare - prepare to fail. It is important to keep records and diaries of the activities carried out, and how well the facility and each pitch have performed. The advent of the digital camera is a great tool for recording information.
In recent years, we have seen clubs beginning their playing season a lot earlier, with some teams asking for practice wickets in March, resulting in the need to get work done much earlier, with pre season rolling having to be done in February and early March.
Pre season rolling: Firstly, you need to ensure you can get the roller on to the square without doing any damage to the outfield. The square needs to be in a condition whereby the surface is dry but, when you press down with your thumb, some moisture is felt on the skin. This is a good indicator of when you can start your rolling.
Gradually build up the rolling weight in stages. If you are using the weight of a mower to consolidate the ground, disengage the blades to reduce friction and unnecessary wear on the machine. Using the Union Flag system, roll in as many different directions as possible, but always finish in the direction of play.
Timing of this operation is vitally important. Gradually build up
the rolling weight by moving onto the next size of cylinder mower and adding weights to the grass box as required. Allow time for the soils to dry before proceeding with the next roll. This gradual build up may be over a few weeks until, at the back end of the month, the roller (serviced and raring to go) should be coming out of the shed to get consolidation right for the start of the season. Ideal rolling conditions would suggest the soil be in a state of plasticity, or ‘plastercine’ like.
Consolidation is your main aim, and the quality of pre-season rolling will show when you produce your early season pitches.
Pitches, where proper construction and gradual build up has taken place, are required to be consolidated throughout to a depth of no less than 100mm. This can only be achieved with gradual build-up of roller weight, a constant speed over the whole square and measuring of soil density. The maximum achievement for soil density is the function of its clay content. As the clay content increases, the soil density increases with compaction. Higher clay content pitches of 27- 35% require more intense working regimes.
It goes without saying that the weather will always dictate what you can achieve. Let’s just hope that this year’s weather will be something to cheer about and we get plenty of sunshine to promote our wonderful game of cricket.
SWEEPERS
www.binderloams.co.uk Email:
sales@binderloams.co.uk
SPORTS TURF COVERS KALOAM made only from the original material
Surrey, Mendip and Growloam also produced
We have our own laboratory for batch and quality control, carrying out independent analysis for verification.
T: 01202 537777 F: 01202 532765 E:
growing@roffeybrothers.co.uk W:
www.roffeybrothers.co.uk
Why not visit our online Buyers Guide for direct links to suppliers websites and email addresses
www.pitchcare.com
TREE TIES & SUPPORTS
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2013 PC 141
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