Technical Aeration and sweeping
Aerate when conditions allow - hand or machine aeration to aid surface drainage, varying depths of penetration to prevent the development of a soil pan. If there is opportunity to aerate, then do it. Regular winter aeration provides air space for the roots to expand into and allow the plant to breathe.
Sweep daily to remove dew and surface debris. Using a brush or a SISIS quadraplay will restore levels and produce striping or banding aesthetics.
the new grasses longer to develop.
Later in the month, levels may need to be restored in areas where scrums have occurred, by light topdressing, seeding and raking over. Infill any holes that have occurred in the pitch surface with a sand/soil and seed mix. Lightly roll after repair work, preferably with a pedestrian mower.
RUGBY
SOIL and air temperatures are now rising into double figures, which should bring some encouragement for the grass to grow and begin its recovery.
Coupled with March drying winds, you will be surprised how quickly pitches begin to dry out and warm up.
March
It is important to ensure your mowing equipment has been serviced and sharpened.
Carry out aeration work to increase aerobic activity and get some much needed oxygen around the grass plants' root system. Regular spiking and, if possible, the introduction of sand dressings will definitely improve soil/water movement in the top 100mm of your pitches.
Keep up with the drag brushing/matting or harrowing when conditions permit, for dew and wormcast dispersion and to help stand the grass up prior to any maintenance work. Repair divots as soon as possible after games or training, with particular attention to the scrum and line out areas.
If your budget allows, carry out some overseeding, particularly on the bare areas. This will be very beneficial in promoting grass coverage for the coming spring and will give
Renovations should be in the forefront of your mind. Bear in mind any problems that you may have encountered during the season (“wet-spots” or poor drainage). Try to solve these problems during or before renovations start.
April
April is also a good month for applying spring and summer fertiliser products. Ideally, it is good practice to undertake at least an annual soil test to analyse the nutrient status of your soil. This will help ensure you only apply what is required, and not waste money and time applying products you do not need.
Most groundstaff will be applying a spring/summer N P K fertiliser, perhaps something like a 9:7:7, see Pitchcare Shop for range of fertiliser products which will effectively get the grass moving during April, then towards the end of April/early May applying a slow release fertiliser to see you through June/July.
However, the choice of materials and how well it works can be dependant on many factors, including soil type and the weather, with moisture and warmer air temperatures being the catalyst for growth.
Brushing or sweeping the pitch daily helps to remove dew and remove surface debris. Using a brush or a Sisis quadraplay will restore levels and produce aesthetically pleasing stripes.
Apply a fertiliser dressing, if required, on the basis of the results of a soil analysis.
mixed in. Not every one can afford the necessary time to go divoting on the scale of some of the premiership grounds, but even if you could afford just a couple of hours post match divoting sorting out some of the worst, I can guarantee that you will notice the difference over time. If you cannot afford a full divoting programme, then you could equally tackle the worst and clean the rest off with a mower or pick up sweeper.
Weed treatments
Coordinate your weed treatment programme to ensure that when you spray, you will not damage emergent grasses in newly sown areas. Most selective weed killers will persist in the ground for up to six weeks.
Always check the label for advice about the correct time to spray. If your priority is to spray treat your weeds prior to your
renovation programme, then you will need to you delay you renovations for up to six weeks. Similarly if your priority is to complete you renovations first, then you will need to ensure that your newly sown grass is well established (referred sometimes on the label as being at the two leaf stage) before your application.
Pitchcare’s monthly diaries are written by:
Bowls and Rugby - Laurence Gale MSc, Editor,
Pitchcare.com
Cricket - Bob Stretton, Head Groundsman, Massey Ferguson Sports Club
Football - Malcolm Gardner, Grounds Manager, BA Clubs
124 PC FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012 Dragmatting and brushing
Dragmatting and brushing: Continue the work of brushing to keep the air circulating around the base of the plant, particularly important for removing early morning dew and controlling disease. Pay particular attention also to the goalmouth areas and centre circles, post match, to lift the grass back up out of muddy areas. This is also important in keeping surface levels.
Divoting
Divoting: This is important work and should be completed after each match. Arm yourself with a border fork and a bucket of topdressing with a little seed
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