Equestrian
Some clubs use 18-2
20mm cut heights, but I
believe that longer grass encourages rooting and reduces stress. It’s not necessary to cut so tight if you scarify, brush and groom the pitches
Cowdray Park applies 250 tonnes/acre in late March/early April and the same before the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup. It is spread across the entire pitch area, as July is peak season for all levels, not just the elite sport. Julian explains: “Sand adds cushioning for the horses’ hooves and increases grip and traction, reducing the risk of slipping on the lush turf. It is extremely well-received by the players.”
Julian, who has been at Cowdray Park for
nine years after running his own business as a sportsground contractor, has two full time groundsmen plus a seasonal tractor driver. But a team of up to thirty casual workers supplied by contractors JFD at Midhurst play a vital role. “Teams of six to eight men tread divots
after the match and, the following day, any remaining holes are filled with sand and compost mixed with grass seed. They do a great job and it is very well organised - the same people, who are mainly Eastern European, come back every year.” Divot mix is transported around the pitch on a modified trailer pulled behind a tractor on turf tyres, Julian explains: “I was concerned about scuffing by the trailer tyres, so we fitted an additional half axle with two more wheels in between to spread the
weight of the trailer across a wider area.” End of season renovations begin with
intensive scarification, followed by overseeding with 650kg/acre of ryegrass. Pitches are also vertidrained three times over the winter.
“We use only perennial ryegrass as it is the
most robust species and easiest to maintain. The mixture contains four different cultivars which are regularly updated to reflect the latest breeding technology and we put on some 800 bags per season. It’s a big investment, although we do get the seed at a good price because of the volume!” Soil analysis over the winter is used to
assess fertiliser needs, but generally agricultural products are used - 20:10:10 summer and autumn and 10:26:26 autumn- winter and early spring. “We need consistent growth rather than flushes - I would love to use slow release fertilisers, but they would be too costly on this scale,” comments Julian. His cut height policy promotes healthy
growth so disease is not an issue, but contractors ACS spray for broadleaved weeds and apply chlorpyriphos to control leatherjackets. Julian also makes use of fairway wetting
agents in spring and summer to avoid dry patch, plus some growth regulator to control
”
Teams of 6-8 men tread divots after the match and, the following day, any remaining holes are filled with a divot mix of sand, compost and seed
An additional half axle with two more wheels in between has been fitted to the trailer, which carries divot mix, to spread its weight across a wider area
• Powerful Diesel Engine • Syncro Gearbox • Heavy Duty Chassis
Used John Deere 2030A Pro Gator
• JD 200 Sprayer with 750L Tank • 15/21ft Booms, Foam Markers & Wand • Stainless Steel Pump
£14,950 +VAT
Milton Common, Thame Oxfordshire ....... Hinckley, Leicestershire ........................... Shefford, Hungerford, Berkshire .............. Midhurst, West Sussex ............................
01844 278843 01455 638960 01488 648552 01730 819981 01327 264844
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FarolLtd @FarolLtd Only 750 hours PC AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014 I 95
New steel cargo box
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