Post Renovations Seed Wash off, in this blog l look at post renovations rainfall which has come hard and fast leading to quite widespread seed wash off. Those who did early renovations seemed to favour, better as seed had more time to anchor (take root). This blog explore is there anything we can do to prevent and minimise seed movement or and wash off and possible loam wash off.
Slopes or falls don’t help!
Most cricket squares have a slope of some type to differing degrees or within line, to aid water removal after rain or and are just created that way by nature, but this can also lead to seed wash off, those with a big sloping square are obviously at a higher risk of seed wash off.
Preventing Grass Seed Wash off
- More holes (sarel or shallow spike), more scarification grooves for seed to sit in, thorough brushing into and maybe a little more loam to add some weight over the seed but always some risk will remain.
- Get the seed germinated and anchored into the surface asap after renovations, prior to rain fall minimising the possibility of wash off, over allowing and waiting for rain to germinate the seed for you.
- Firming of the soil/seed using a light roller is a old technique, my feeling is it would help but also maybe not enough for the heavy nature we had this post renovations at least.
- Some have suggested germination sheets, but l have seen seed move under these but do let me know your own findings.
Once Seed Wash off Occurs
Add a little extra evenly over areas washed off – but be wary of over applying after each time or you end up with more seed into low areas, exacerbating the problem!
Disperse – piles or lines of seed before they take root.
Too late or couldn’t get on
Once seed has germinated – Acceptance but also don’t worry it’s not ideal but also not the end of the world, you have a window to over seed this autumn and next spring.
Consequences
- Thinly grassed areas and also areas where seed washes into that are too thickly grassed, with the likelihood these areas will become a victim to rot off and self-thinning.
- Verticutting is worth exploring where overly thick to try and reduce the thicknesses of grass canopy and hopefully lower the disease and rot off potential.
- Be prepared to over seed – Where wash off occurs and also from areas that rot or thin out. We have two windows to do this in either late autumn or early/mid spring possible after pre- season rolling .
Loam Wash off
Loam wash off is less of an issue on a renovated square as existing grass creates a barrier and to a degree also reduces seed wash off severity, if that does occur and once the loam isn’t sticking to your boots or tools, lightly redress and level and re disperse any loam.
Squares that have been planned off (Kored) are more susceptible to seed and some loam wash off.
In my experience be patient seed often comes in a few stages, don’t panic time really does help. Once its clear no more seed is coming up then you have a autumn and spring sowing window, come the start of the 2025 season it all be grand as it always is!
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However, if the seed has already germinated, you may have to live with it and that’s not the end of the world, dressing in the spring is always a option but cricket squares do have a funny way of sorting themselves out if only minor issues over winter.
More importantly its over to you, what are your experiences, tips to pass onto any readers please leave comments in the reply box below.
Brian
PS- in case you haven’t heard the ECB have opened up a new stream of funding to clubs, called Grass Improvement Fund, might be worth checking it out- https://www.ecb.co.uk/play/club-support/club-funding/grass-pitch-improvement-fund
