How Winter Works have Improved our Cricket Square is a blog straight from the grassroot of cricket and written by the well respected groundsteam at Knebworth Park CC, headed up by Chris Johnson (Head Groundsperson)
As we try to heave out of winter some squares will be looking the worse for wear. That’s if they’d not been getting regular attention. We had those days when that used to happen, so for us, seeing is believing in experiencing the difference and benefits of winter maintenance.
For years most of the time the squares were pretty well forgotten after the end of season renovation.
Any brushing, cutting, fertilising, aeration or overseeding was generally not done until the new season approached. It’s not to say the tracks played badly, just had slow and low bounce. No thought then was given to the lack of winter maintenance being one of the causes. Equally it was also not considered when the squares were yellowing in the winter or why growth wasn’t ideal during the season.
Clear Signs of Improvement
Move forward to more recent years when we’ve seen the importance of winter work with much improved growth and an incremental improvement in the performance of our squares. Better bounce, pace, carry and sustainability.
We brush and cut regularly plus adopt a carefully managed feed programme which helps to develop good growth. We had been brushing with a dragbrush, but last year changed to the Sisis Lawnman brush. Now that’s done twice a week when weather allows. Harder work but is more aggressive, and removes any debris or occasional wormcast. It does help, too, in limiting fungus.
Nutrition
We feed the squares in November with its Winter granular although this year because of the heavy rain after end of season renovation we did an earlier additional application in October.
Each month we apply a liquid aeration product to help the soil structure as well as occasionally one with an iron constituent to strengthen the plant and further help counter fungus.
Soil Testing
Most winters we’ve had a soil test done which has shown there’s been a marked improvement in our soil, root growth and strength and reduced thatch.
Holistic Improvements
While winter is crucial, a concerted management of the squares during the season is obviously important too including regular verticutting. The end result has been better cricket wickets plus importantly stimulating a more enthusiastic approach around the club for the work on the ground.
Chris Johnson and Team , especially Hugh
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