Cricket Square Tasks for September includes pitch preparation of the remaining pitches, ahead of renovations which is usually carried out in mid/late September.
Cutting
Cylinder mow at around 12-15 mm in HOC (height of cut), keeping the squares within this range will help prevent turf drought stress, especially during the hotter months of the year. Post renovations it is common practice to start to get your HOC down to aid renovations.
Nutrition
Post Renovations– As we draw day or weeks from renovations, its often a waste of resources in applying nutrient post renovations.
As grass growth slows and fixtures increase liquid fertiliser could be a better option, it can be applied directly to the leaf and starts working in minutes, always done at the coolest part of the day.
Verticutting
Verticutting is designed to work just a couple of millimetres off the soil surface, to prevent soil interference/scaring.
The above text is in relation to the square, not the thinning out of pitches in preparation, which may be needed for the grass canopy thinning.
Post Renovations- Thinning out of any thickly grassed pitches will save time ahead of renovation.
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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.
General guide to watering is to apply heavily , as shallow watering can encourage a lazy shallow rooted grass plant.
Renovations– Once seeded l would recommend light watering asap, to get the seed anchored into the surface, prior to heavy rainfall which can wash seed about and give a uneven seed pattern and outcome.
If affected by hose pipe bans in your area see this –https://resources.thegma.org.uk/preparing-pitches-under-drought-restrictions
Water restrictions could also affect your ability to water the square during post renovations!
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.
Now renovations are only days or weeks or so away, it is often a waste of resources seeding this close to renovations.
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 firm, sprinkle with dry dust, rub in and gently brush up any excess dust.
How to Prepare/Mix a Foothole Mix
Pitch Preparation
This involves the identification of the pitch you’re going to use, the cutting, thinning and watering followed by rolling. This can be over a period of 1-3 weeks depending on the time of year. As we come into the hotter months of the year, you may be able to reduce the pitch preparation window from a couple of weeks to 7-12 days.
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.
Renovations
Renovations consist of the three R’s Remove (thatch), Restore (grass canopy via seed)) and Re-levelling (loam) of surface levels. Please see Top Blogs section below for more details.
Renovation Materials
l would recommended if not already done so to get quotations in regards to end of season works and materials with the aim of getting deliveries to site for mid to late August , ahead of September renovations. Seed and loam are the bread and butter of a cricket square, so if funds allow, don’t skimp on what’s needed.
Top Blogs
Brian
PS- Get your rotary blade sharped up, ahead of the first cut of the new seed in and around October.
