Cricket Square Tasks for November with grass still growing there be a number of tasks required, including cutting, nutrition, brushing and more!
Cutting
Topping the squares by use of a rotary mower is common practice at around 18-22 mm. If your way higher than that then l recommend a gentle approach to lowering of the HOC, doing so over a few cuts. This will avoid any unnecessary stress to the plant.
Whatever you use, ensure the blade is sharp and or on cut to prevent leaf tearing, depending on location and soil temperatures this could be bi weekly or monthly.
Outfields HOC depending on limitations of equipment and whether you have winter sports but cutting as required.
Nutrition
Once a few cuts have been carried out and growth slows the plant starts to yellow, it more than likely it’s time for an application of nutrition’s. A suitable sport turf Autumn/Winter fertiliser will do, if there is still seed coming up from recent overseeding, then avoid any products containing iron (Fe), as this can scorch very young grass plants.
If disease is a concern, you can consider the application of Iron (Fe), it comes in a few forms such as sulphur and lawn sand (there sand in your loam) these will harden off the turf and help keep disease at bay during the damper/milder winter months.
Seek advise from your FACT certificated advisor, the person who supplies your fertiliser etc.
Ideally any fertilisers applied are in line with annual soil testing results recommendations.
Overseeding
Early November, if your finding the grass is still growing then so will seed germinate so this could be your last chance to overseed before spring, if you have a few thinner areas.
Poll
Brushing of the square
Brushing the turf using a drag brush can be very beneficial for re distributing/disbursing worm casts and other benefits including the removal of surface dews which can lead to the formation of diseases. Even if you can do a couple of times of week, in different directions it can really be of benefit.
Aeration
This month is the more likely month to start aeration works, once the soil profile is softer and the new grass plants have established.
Can start with a depth of 1-2 inches, followed by another spike deeper at a later date.
Take a look at our Top Blogs of the Month below for more details!
Machinery Maintenance
-Drain down the roller drums, if not done so.
-Drain down any petrol engine that will sit about all winter and fill up any diesel machines to prevent condensation building up in the tank
-Servicing of machinery but keep back those for cutting as grass grows around 10 months of the year.
Other Tasks
Leaf clearance from around fence line around square, leaves will smoother grass plants and will kill them if left there over time.
Blogs for November
Tips of the Month
Don’t fight the weather but if you can get on, keep the square topped, give it a nitrogen based feed if its going yellow and brush the dew off the square when you can. Just doing the basics well over the winter will bear fruit coming into next season.
Brian
