Can you Decompact a Cricket Square is a question you think you may know, but like me l had to think twice, can you decompact a cricket square. This blog explores what aeration on a cricket square looking like using solid tines and the aim of the blogs just to counter any fixed view of what l/we think solid tine spiking does.
So, doe’s solid tine spikes Decompact a Cricket Square?
No, not if you’re doing it right. Sounds strange, doesn’t it? When spiking outfields and in particular winter games pitch the spike is heaving (it goes in and then lifts up) – this decompacts.
When spiking a cricket square there should be minimal heave to avoid disrupting levels – so decompaction in the sense of reducing the bulk density of the soil (the weight of soil in a particular volume) does not happen
But we can aerate and here’s the definition of aeration
Rieke and Murphy defined aeration as:
Relieving of soil compaction – Maybe not on a cricket square as we are NOT applying a form of heave if just solid tine spiking. The rest of the benefits below we can do solid tine spiking.
Aiding in thatch control
Disrupting undesirable soil layers
Preparing the soil for top dressing or overseeding
Enhancing the penetration of fertiliser and chemical input
Stimulating turf density by stolon’s and rhizomes
Can you Decompact a Cricket Outfield
Yes, when spiking outfields and in particular winter games pitch the spike is heaving (Heave) (it goes in and then lifts up) – this decompacts. If the type of machine used is a vertidraining machine, with heavy set and the soil is dry enough to fracture.
Does Weathering Decompact?
Yes, frost heave to an extent, but more importantly swelling due to wetting of the soil does de–compact the soil – particularly at the surface (this is why pre-season rolling is necessary). The soil will swell and can reduce bulk density by 20% in some cases. This is a natural process and is why many squares are fine without spiking and aeration.
If it Does not, what does it do of Benefit?
The aim of spiking a square is to break through the sealed surface layers of the square and allow water and oxygen to penetrate deeper into the profile. It also allows roots to penetrate deeper into the square.
Water, air and roots deeper in the profile. More water, deeper in the square creates better pitches by improving rolling, the durability of pitches, and pace, bounce and consistency.
The over–winter period is vital for getting water into a square – particularly in 1st class pitches where they are under cover so often. In the winter when temperatures are cooler and the plant is more dormant, water can build up in the soil profile. This reservoir of water deeper in the profile is important to pitch performance later in the year.
I’m not talking about wet pitches at the surface but a square that has moisture stored at depth will produce better pitches.
Getting more air in will help improve soil health, encourage bacteria that break down organic matter and thatch and encourage deeper roots. This will result in more wear–resistant plants that can dry pitches and harden them more in the summer during prep.
Root depth is not the be–all and end–all of pitch performance (grass cover has a much bigger effect) but resilient plants really help maintain cover and pace for longer and to dry the pitch more evenly.
Decompaction meaning-
The act or process of making something less compact; often specifically the reversal of previous compaction
Source- https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/decompaction on decompaction.
The main body of text above comes from this very insightful blog, which will tell you all you need to know about aerating a cricket square, with answers being answers by Head of Facilities at the ECB Iain James.
Summary
The aim of the title of the blog is to make me/you step back and question what are we trying to achieve and what each tasks actually does and doesn’t. The blog title certainly made me think.
Even if solid tine aeration doesn’t decompact , the benefits are really outweigh the lack of decompaction and just to re affirm the benefits which are- Allows water and oxygen into the soil profile, promotes deeper rooting, help reduce thatch and more which are all vital necessity.
Brian
