Cricket Square Tasks for May, includes cutting, rolling, verticutting and more in what is a busy month with plenty of pre and post work required in cricket pitch preparation.
Cutting
Cylinder mow at around 15-18 mm in hoc, keeping the squares within this range will help prevent turf disease and also help keep a dense grass canopy.
Pitch preparation, should now be in full swing with cutting heights ranging from 6-10mm.
Whatever mower you use, ensure the blades are sharp and cutting to their best to prevent tearing of the grass leaf
Don’t remove more than a third of the leaf in anyone cut to prevent turf stress and yellowing
Nutrition
Grass growth now should be consistent in growth so a application of a Spring /Summer fertiliser, every 4-6 weeks as guided by the product you are using, ensure thorough washing in of product as during the warmer months risk of scorching the leaf increases.
The more vigorously the grass is growing the more fertiliser inputs will be required. The grass will start to yellow which will be an indicator it’s in need of nutrients specifically nitrogen
Verticutting
This is a good month to start a bi-weekly or monthly verticutting, the aim is to thin out horizontal growth, which in turn creates a more density pack canopy.
Verticutting is designed to work just a couple of millimetres off the soil surface, to prevent soil interference/scaring.
Verticutting should be only carried out when the grass plants is actively growing and is able to respond.
Irrigation
Whether pitch or square, watering it is vital to keep water levels up this will ensure the grass recovers quicker after usage and prevent the square becoming hydrophobic.
Once a square becomes hydrophobic, water will just puddle and struggle to infiltrate into the soil profile, this tends happens during the hotter times of the year. Watering thoroughly during pitch preparation, will ensure the soil compacts well and the plants and root stays alive. This will also prevents soil crumbling excessively, which in turn would limit the life of the pitch and inhibit its recovery after.
General guide to watering is to apply heavily , as shallow watering can encourage an lazy shallow rooted grass plant.
Overseeding-Areas on The Square
Autumn and Spring and renovations are the main overseeding periods, along with seeding after pitch usages to restore grass coverage.
Cutting down of the existing sward , scarification (renovations only) then creating holes 10-15 mm deep to seed into, all contribute to creating contact between the seed and the soil.
Avoid applications of Fe (iron) or iron contained within fertiliser, around the time the plants is at it’s youngest (one leaf stage).
In Season Post Game Pitch Repairs
Once a pitch has been used there is the option you deem fit within your resources, this include, brush up, water heavily, overseed, top-dress where low. The application of a pre seed fertiliser and possibly cover using a germination sheet and keep damp till the new seed is apparent.
Sometimes if the pitch is well grassed and has not been overly warn, just a brush up and heavy water will do. The use of a cassette mower with fitted brush attachment or a old rotary mower, set low can be used to clean up the pitch post play.
Footholes
During innings or between matches foothole need brushing out, gently damp of the walls of foothole and infilling of the low area with pre mixed loam (add moisture till binds but doesn’t stick to hand much).
Using your foot and heel, gently firm down, prior to tamping down with a tamper. once firmed sprinkle with dry dust, rub in and gently brush up any excess dust.
If you need more guidance please see a video l made-
Pitch Preparation
This involves the identification of the pitch your going to use, the cutting, thinning and watering followed rolling. This can be over a period of 1-3 weeks depending on the time of year.
See this eBook- How to Prepare a Cricket Pitch
Marking Out
Whether using string line and a straight edge or a marking out frame, ensure whatever you use is straight and looks right and within ECB recommendations on measurements, also note a marking/dash of 1 ft either side of middle stump, which is not on the diagram.
Top Blogs for May
How to Mark Out a Cricket Pitch
How to Renovate a used Cricket Pitch in Season
Brian
