Tools & guidance MAINTENANCE CALENDAR FOR THE COMING MONTH
FURTHER ADVICE
For more tips see our Best Practice feature page 18
APRIL OPERATIONS RUGBY UNION
Re-commission the irrigation system, if present. Spring fertiliser will typically be applied this month, with about 10 x 25kg required. Mow regularly to encourage tillering and sward thickening. Line marking should not be neglected just because renovation is imminent after the final games.
RUGBY LEAGUE
Cut regularly to encourage growth and sward thickening. Apply a spring/summer fertiliser if conditions are suitable. Ensure surface is flat before drying out too much. Constant dragbrushing will stand the grass up and leave you with a bright finish. Overseeding may be required if temperatures dictate. Try to overseed by entering the surface to give the seed a higher chance of germination. Aerate if possible to aid air circulation and root growth. Bright lines will give the surface a great presentation.
GOLF COURSES
Be flexible in your planning for April because the weather can be extremely variable. Don’t be inclined to reduce the height of cut too quickly in case of a cold or wet spell.
46 THE GROUNDSMAN March 2019
Green renovation will be the main priority this month. Consider renovating fairway ‘winter greens’ at the same time, or soon afterwards. Winter tee renovation should take place as soon as the players have switched onto the summer tees. Ensure the irrigation system is fully commissioned. Vertidrain fairways. Complete topping up the bunkers. Any major competitions will need a period of time for bunkers to settle down, so bear this in mind.
RACECOURSES
Mow the course twice a week. Strim around the base of all posts. Re-commission irrigation system. Aerate the course as part of routine maintenance. Apply the main spring fertiliser. This is the time to complete the main renovation of a National Hunt course, which will then be allowed to rest over the summer – assuming it does not form part of a course for flat racing.
TENNIS
Mowing frequency will be increasing, while at the same time the height of cut will be gradually lowered from the winter topping height to that required for the start of the playing season. Rolling will be routine and carried out regularly to help firm up the court ready for play commencing.
Re-commission the irrigation system ready for early dry spells. Apply a suitable spring fertiliser. Most analyses will contain nitrogen as 8 to 15 per cent, but the exact analysis will depend on individual requirements. One 25kg bag per court should be ample, depending on how much of the surrounds are also fertilised. If there are any thin areas present on the court, these should be oversown using an appropriate grass seed mixture.
FOOTBALL
Additional games will probably be required to catch up on postponed and cup matches. Don’t worry too much about excessive destruction of the surface vegetation as the season is nearly at an end. A smooth surface that is well marked out should be aimed for, so divoting will be a main feature this month to see out the season. Increasing the mowing frequency will also help to give a neat finish. Letting clippings fly and spreading them evenly may make some bare areas look a little more pleasing. Vertidraining can be planned for straight after the last game.
BOWLS
Be quite flexible in your planning for April as the weather can be extremely variable. Complete the renovation of the greens, making sure two weeks separates the end of renovation and the first bowl being played. This should ensure adequate time for any topdressing to be satisfactorily worked in. Open the season on as high a cut as possible, say 1 4 inch. This will
give the grass some insurance against cold weather returning. Several light rollings, with a 5cwt roller, will help to firm the surface prior to the start of the season. Ensure the irrigation system is fully commissioned. Top-up ditch material.
CRICKET SQUARE
Continue to increase the frequency of mowing. Scarification will be increased to remove all surface debris within the base of the sward. Rolling should be continued to provide a solid base for the season. Additional rolling will be carried out for pitch preparation; however, the fundamental groundwork for the season is carried out prior to the first ball being delivered. Ensure the square is properly ‘squared up’ with the correct number of wickets being spot marked at the ends. Ensure each wicket is correctly squared.
CRICKET OUTFIELD
Measure out stripes for mowing, making sure to measure accurately to create the chequer board presentation. Mow outfield as growth demands. Slowly reduce the height of cut to approximately 15mm throughout this month. Monitor the outfield for weeds, and make plans to apply selective herbicide when growth is strong and conditions allow. This would usually be towards May. Only certified operatives should apply chemicals. Repair/redress any minor areas of damage especially in and around bowlers’ run-ups.