Winter Sports


Wear in the goalmouth


he takes readings up to three times a week leading up to a match to ensure the pitch remains within a range of 65-80 gravities.


“It is surprising how quickly sand based pitches can firm up, especially after mowing,” states Mark, “but we are able to control the firmness by various aeration methods and watering. “We regularly verti-drain the pitch using a combination of solid and slit tines on a fortnightly and monthly basis. We also use a drum roll slitter and a pedestrian solid tine punch. I’ve found deep tining to be the most effective


The main stand at Selhurst Park


method of reducing pitch hardness. However, timing of this operation is key to ensure the pitch achieves the optimum firmness for play, so we usually do this at the beginning of the week prior to a Saturday match,” he explains. “Watering has also become a key maintenance regime for sand based pitches, ensuring they receive enough water to maintain firmness whilst, at the same time, supplying the grass plant with enough moisture for growth.” “Firmness will be influenced by many factors, including the weather, pitch usage and our maintenance regime,


Dennis G860 & Premier The proper tool for the job


For more information or a no obligation demonstration call 01332 824777 or alternatively visit www.dennisuk.com


Croquet/Tennis Football/Hockey/Rugby Cricket Golf Lawns Amenity


whilst some areas of the pitch are more prone to compaction, for example the goalmouths, centre spot and penalty areas tend to have the highest readings. I’ve recorded that the pitch hardness can go up to at least 10 gravities after mowing!”


Mark has enlisted the help of


agronomist Charles Henderson to monitor the pitch’s performance and, between them, they have agreed a tailored feeding programme which centres around a granular slow release base feed, top ups with a range of liquid feeds and balanced out with some micro-


World class turf maintenance equipment JUNE/JULY 2013 PC 77


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138  |  Page 139  |  Page 140  |  Page 141  |  Page 142  |  Page 143  |  Page 144  |  Page 145  |  Page 146  |  Page 147  |  Page 148