INDUSTRY
It’s frustrating for every groundsman, but especially at grassroots level – where there are limited f inancial
resources. Applying nematodes is simply too expensive and out of reach for grassroots sports, and it begs the question, what will the implications be to sports at this level?
Lee Padwick
the courts. Mowing is undertaken using a John Deere 220B with a Sports Metals brush attachment. During winter: The height of cut is 15mm and mown, as and when growth dictates and conditions allow, with a Dennis FT610 with 5 blade reel or Honda HRH536 with Sports Metal brush attachment.” Cricket: “In summer, the square is mown one-two times per week at 13-16mm using a Dennis FT610 with 5 blade reel or Honda HRH536 with Sports Metal brush attachment. In winter, the height of cut is increased to 16-18mm. The wickets are mown with a John Deere 220B at 4-6mm and I use string lines (rather than a frame) for marking out the cricket creases.” “During summer, the outfi eld height of cut
is 14-18mm with a Toro Reelmaster 5510-D fairway mower. Winter HOC is 18-22mm, mown with the Toro when conditions allow. Then the outfi eld is mown with a John Deere mid deck tractor mower.”
“I don’t maintain the football pitches on a regular basis,” Lee continued. “Instead, I work with the volunteer groundsman off ering advice and expertise to produce the best surface, with the resources available. However, I am more hands-on before the bigger games, for example; in the lead up to the local derby Southampton Women FC v Southampton FC Women, I worked hand in hand with the groundsman to double brush and mow the pitch prior to the game.” “I sponsor Alresford Town FC - not in a
fi nancial way, but with contributions of my time. This works well for both of us as I get some free exposure around the ground for the Sports Turf Management side of the company. Several visiting teams have commented on the condition of the pitch and the local community are also amazed at the improvements. I cannot take all the credit though - it’s very much a team eff ort between myself and Paddy Walsh, the volunteer groundsman.”
Lee recently hired a Toro ProCore 648 to aerate two of the tennis courts, two cricket wickets, four football pitches and three large lawns. “Solid tine aeration was carried out with 13mm tines, 100mm depth at 30- 40mm spacing. The football pitches had a
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