Welcome to The Community Hub created as a place to chat, ask questions, engage and more!
Connect-Share-Learn
TurfChat Live Chat Platform
Turf Chat operates 24/7 hours a day, but l plan to do specific evenings in the near future.
No login required .
Rules
- No swearing
- No marketing/attempting to sell good or services
- No discrimination
- Treat people as you would like to be treated.
Chat Platform
Latest message: 1 day, 16 hours ago
Roy Rigby : Karl , last chat from lords2026-01-27 19:26:41 mark_ycg : thanks Brian2026-01-14 21:03:58
groundsman620467822 : Thanks again Karl(Hope you and Everyone, next TurfChat maybe Winter sports with a special guest host2026-01-14 21:02:38 laurence Gale : good night everybody enjoyed the chat Loz2026-01-14 21:02:17 Tom : Thanks everyone great evening thanks Karl2026-01-14 21:01:31 Karl : Thanks everyone, very enjoyable. Try and stay dry over the next couple of weeks2026-01-14 21:01:18 Karl : But we have 62 days cricket in 6 months, on average its a game every 3 days, bonkers!!2026-01-14 21:00:55 Joel Cheng : Thanks Karl and Brian,2026-01-14 21:00:23 Karl : Richard, in a normal year we play 6 Chamionship games on 4 pitches. 4 T20 Blast games on 2 pitches, 4 100 double headers days on 2 pitches. Test matches is one use only. Other international games is generally one use only unless the fixtures allow. The main problem nowadays is most major match cricket in from the middle to end of the summer, so the opportunity to use them early and reuse isnt there.2026-01-14 21:00:07 Paul : Thank you for taking the time Karl to answer the question, go well in 20262026-01-14 20:59:47 mark_ycg : thanks Karl for tonight, all the best for the season2026-01-14 20:59:15 Charlie : Thank you for your time Karl, much appreciated and good luck for the coming season!2026-01-14 20:59:05 groundsman620467822 : Amazing effort there Karl and thanks from me and everyone for taking time out to TurfChat, the text of this evening should remain here for a while at least and thanks really very informative and thanks everyone for questions. Karl.Last question with Richard2026-01-14 20:58:21 Karl : Red thread is a visual irritant more than anything. Keep the leaf as dry as you can, maybe use some turf hardeners/iron in the winter period. Generally a suitable fertiliser sorts it out, as your lacking some nutrient. Nitrogen always makes us feel better2026-01-14 20:57:32 Richard Bundy : how many days cricket do you aim to get out of each pitch2026-01-14 20:57:28 Karl : Paul, yes. Its obvious on the nursery ground, and on the Tavern side of the main ground. But it does recover well once the sun gets higher and warmer in the summer so its not at a point where we need to have lights in there throughout the winter2026-01-14 20:55:36 Karl : Terry, great question and sometimes I dont know! With experience I have a coping method for any criticism. I am also very good at putting things in to context, and then explaining that to whoever will listen. I'll use the World Test Final as an example, wickets tumbling to poor shots on day 1. I know there would be chat about it. But no one had played a test match for months, and most had come straight from the IPL. And I also watch a lot and take notes. I'm my own biggest critic, so that helps, but this job is now becoming more pressurised with the way the game is being played, and test matches shortening no matter what the pitch is like. Theres a lot of money at stake, and I'd be lying if I said the pressure never gets to me, but I can manage it well.2026-01-14 20:54:21 groundsman620467822 : Q- how do you prevent and treat red thread, very common and clubs always ask wondering how you approach2026-01-14 20:54:01 laurence Gale : Some great questions answered Karl thank you for your time much appreciated Loz2026-01-14 20:51:43 groundsman620467822 : Last ten minutes 🙂 any burning questions get them in2026-01-14 20:50:34 Paul : Do you have any problems with low light created by the stands around the ground which cause issues during the winter? I know football clubs generally have more lighting rigs than found found in a cricket ground2026-01-14 20:49:50 Karl : 3 hybrids that we use for professional cricket. One for the T20 Blast, and 2 for the Hundred. We have had good expereinces withthem, and they give us a better pitch for the second and third use. We dont completely hammer them with usage due to our fixture schedule, but there is definitely a place for them. We are unlikely to install anymore as we'd be moving in to the international pitch and 4 day pitch areas, and theres no certainty on use for them in those formats in the future.2026-01-14 20:49:23 Terry King : how do you cope the the mental pressures of the job2026-01-14 20:49:15 laurence Gale : In your opinion Karl which recent technology / product / machine has revolutionised the way we manage and maintain cricket facilities2026-01-14 20:48:05 Karl : Mark, there has been talk of it, but we have replaced nearly all our machinery since I started here so I'd be replacing nearly new machinery so its a tough one to justify! The Club have a sustainability plan, and if its something we want to do I'd fully support it. Wehave started the journey by now having 5 electric mowers in our fleet, but theres still another 8 mowers to replace. That's over £100k in electric mowers2026-01-14 20:46:31 groundsman620467822 : «link removed»2026-01-14 20:45:24 groundsman620467822 : Evening Vic, hope things dry up for you soon up there.2026-01-14 20:44:36 Karl : There is nothing else really on our wishlist for machinery. I'm also a bit old school, we bought a unirake last year, great piece of simple kit to tidy the outfield up. It improved our sward quality immensely.2026-01-14 20:44:12 groundsman620467822 : Any hybrids at Lord Karl and aif so are they still meeting expectations a few years down the line.2026-01-14 20:43:49 Vic Demain : Great in the right place but not where presentation is required.2026-01-14 20:43:27 mark_ycg : are there any plans to go fully electric at lords?2026-01-14 20:43:05 laurence Gale : As s Karl, has said in time the development of robotic technologies are getting better and no doubt they may be a viable option in the coming years2026-01-14 20:42:52 Vic Demain : Robots are a long way off when you are looking for a Lord’s type presentation.2026-01-14 20:42:41 Karl : Brian, we have just purchased our 4th Dennis E36 which we mow the outfield with, using the trailed seat. These have replaced the old allett regals we had. They are very good, and easy to use.2026-01-14 20:41:40 chris johnson : Many thanks for this evening Karl2026-01-14 20:41:35 Karl : Richard, I know Vic in Durham trialled a robot on his outfield, a small rotary one. He said it cut well but there was no finish for presentation purposes. I have seen on social media that there is a cylinder robot mower now.2026-01-14 20:40:07 groundsman620467822 : actually think only one-Charlie : Q- Have you got any new equipment or machines you are looking to demo/trial?2026-01-14 20:39:07 groundsman620467822 : we have two questions l pop them up if needed, we try and not miss any. poor Karl2026-01-14 20:38:18 Karl : Joel, by complete chance we tried it on the outfield and its now our go-to machine during the summer. We used to Procore during the summer months but that left the sandy outfield soft. The air2g2 doesn't do that, its playable immediately. When we had the wet summer in 2024, the outfield drained as well as I've ever seen it, we used the air2g2 three times during the summer.2026-01-14 20:38:12 chris johnson : Yes, there's no doubt our squares are holding up well better than ever using seaweed2026-01-14 20:37:32 groundsman620467822 : yes agree l really do rate seaweed karl one of the few tonics l feel really helps the plant2026-01-14 20:37:03 Karl : Chris-I do use seaweed in amongst our liquid feed. There is no visual impact to seaweed, it wont turn the grass emerald green on its own, but the health of the grass certainly improves when its mixed in with our fertiliser2026-01-14 20:35:53 Karl : Tom, probably not. 2 hectares is a big area to cover, and generally the weather in London is favourable. We could use germination fleece/sheets if needed. I'll accept that the outfield may be a bit delicate in April and May, with the aim to be in a good place for the New Zealand test match in June2026-01-14 20:34:24 Richard Bundy : i think someone asked earlier if you had looked at robotic mowers for the outfield2026-01-14 20:32:53 groundsman620467822 : wow great karl lot of aeration2026-01-14 20:32:41 Joel Cheng : Karl, you mentioned air2g2, what is your view on that?2026-01-14 20:32:34 Karl : Not used any robots yet. They dont currently have the finish we are looking for, but the market is developing very quickly2026-01-14 20:32:25 Karl : Hopefully our fertiliser regime helps with the roots. We do aerate regularly, we are procoring this week, and it has had a deep vertidrain in october, and the air2g2 in december. Hopefully that hits areas at different depths.2026-01-14 20:31:45 chris johnson : Choice of biostimulants is an interesting area and this year for first time have been using seaweed which seems to be helping. have you ever used it or needed to etc?2026-01-14 20:31:05 Tom : with only 11 weeks till the sesson and you mentioned overseeding would you ever bring in the larger gorw lights to help push that seed on?2026-01-14 20:31:04 groundsman620467822 : this one may have been missed- Hi karl are you trialling any robotic mowers yet?2026-01-14 20:30:17 Karl : Chris, we would combirake through the ends at the start of preparation. As the pitch dries out is when we would ease off it, and only combirake if it was required, eg the grass was flat and smothering the soil2026-01-14 20:30:00 groundsman620467822 : Q- to help root mass on the outfield did you apply anything and could you aerate on a soft sandy surface.2026-01-14 20:29:38 Charlie : Q- Have you got any new equipment or machines you are looking to demo/trial?2026-01-14 20:29:25 Karl : If I've missed any questions please ask them again! I'm working my way through them as best I can2026-01-14 20:28:30 Karl : Chris, I would verticut through the ends as a natural part of our preparation and maintenance regime. If I had ends that were sparse we'd lift the mower over that area so as not to pull everything out.2026-01-14 20:27:42 Karl : Brian, I've never used a slow release fert on the square, i prefer to control what we put down with winter feeds or cold starts. And we'd be very unlucky if it rained all winter!! I'd speak to your fertiliser rep, he may have better information. The fertilisers are so good nowadays2026-01-14 20:26:17 groundsman620467822 : Eve Chris welcome:)2026-01-14 20:26:02 chris johnson : You mentioned no combirake on ther crease but what about verticutting?2026-01-14 20:25:41 Karl : Charlie, yes we do but only over christmas. It works well and gives everyone time off. We don't use it for longer as we hope to be mowing, and the suppressant sticks to the leaf, so if you mow you are cutting it off. We liquid feed in the winter too, so we want access to the leaf. But dew suppressants are worth every penny, especially if you're not at the ground every day2026-01-14 20:24:21 groundsman620467822 : Q- What your view on maybe a slow release in say october on squares as can be hard finding weather windows to get on controlled feeds every 6-8 weeks. with wetter winter trying to adjust2026-01-14 20:22:40 Karl : Tom. all is draining well and we dont hold that moisture in the top. Its naturally a bit softer as we dont have that root mass but that will come with time and some more overseeding. Its a bit sparse in places but fairly even over the majority. What fool would try to grow grass in November?!?!?!?!?2026-01-14 20:21:50 groundsman620467822 : i ve started using pentrants in winter , early days but hoping help2026-01-14 20:20:01 Charlie : Thanks Karl. Do you use a dew suppresent at all?2026-01-14 20:19:59 Karl : Footholes - a little bit more grass will help. We dont brush our ends in preparation with the combirake. We stop at the 5 foot or front line. That helps a bit2026-01-14 20:19:54 Paul : Thank you Karl, that's really interesting and useful. Make's me to start to think about using them on the square when I use them on bowling green.2026-01-14 20:19:17 Karl : Footholes, we do get them, but our ends are naturally firmer. We also repair them daily during a 4 day/test, so they dont get deep at all. Sometimes spinners are the worst2026-01-14 20:18:47 groundsman620467822 : great questions and more welcome from anyone watching:)2026-01-14 20:18:19 Joel Cheng : I almost bought a piece of turf from Lord's 🙂2026-01-14 20:18:12 Karl : Sam, we sold some turf as a memento to members and the public. We stripped that area. The plan was to koro the rest, but the turf stripping went so clean we decided to carry on with that method. It worked out well2026-01-14 20:17:25 Karl : Charlie, all matches are allocated to a pitch. That's all done now, and there is very little wiggle room. We factor in the slope, and watering when drawing up the plan. And we have no spare pitches if something goes wrong.2026-01-14 20:16:02 groundsman620467822 : evening Tom and thanks for the question2026-01-14 20:15:37 Tom : karl with the latest weather we have faced obviously it has tested the infiltration rates are you happy with what youve seen so far with water moving freely through?2026-01-14 20:14:58 laurence Gale : Hi karl are you trialling any robotic mowers yet?2026-01-14 20:14:09 Karl : Dan, steaming isnt cheap, and we only do 4 pitches at a time. Maybe in time the cost will drop2026-01-14 20:14:08 Karl : Paul, we use a pentrant in the winter, last aplication around this time of the year, and a surfactant during the summer. This also helps when you water on a slope. I think we have had good results with it, but its a lot of work spraying and managing. We wouldnt put a wetting agent on an upcoming match pitch in case it held the moisture too much2026-01-14 20:13:20 dan : any tips on footholes, i leave grass much longer on the crease to try and help hold it together but get massive craters , professional grounds seem to hold up much better is this due to pitches being rolled more and firmer?2026-01-14 20:13:14 Karl : Get link for my next answer Paul. I do use wetting agents, started about 2 years ago, in conjunction with two fungicides, Heritage and Ascernity. This was to tackle the fairy rings. We do half doses every couple of weeks, alternating the fungicide so as we stay within legal usage limits.2026-01-14 20:11:35 groundsman620467822 : evening Charlie thanks for joining2026-01-14 20:11:23 groundsman620467822 : Karl ignore my questions mate do others first:)2026-01-14 20:11:03 sam : Evening everyone. Karl - i noticed that the outfield was turf stripped rather than koro'ed like you commonly see. was there a reason for this? i know some turf was sold but not sure if that was the full reason2026-01-14 20:10:36 groundsman620467822 : proper little divots Karl, used to see that on my old thatchy outfield. Looking good now and filled in enough or and need a overseed and if so what seed did you use?2026-01-14 20:10:30 Charlie : Q- Karl, do you have your pitches already allocated for the fixture list this?2026-01-14 20:10:14 Karl : Great question Dan. It has seemed to help, but the ironic thing is the fairy rings have lessened over the last two years. They are still present, but nowhere near as bad as when I first started in 2019.2026-01-14 20:09:55 groundsman620467822 : alwmost2026-01-14 20:09:10 Paul : Q- Karl what's your views on wetting agents on the square please? Some county lads seem to use them and other's don't2026-01-14 20:09:05 Karl : I use the example of when players dive, they generally take a divot as it was holding a bit of moisture in the top.2026-01-14 20:08:45 groundsman620467822 : Good question Dan and welcome2026-01-14 20:08:20 dan : did steaming/sterilising remove the fairy rings? and is it viable for a club ground to invest in?got loads on my sqaure2026-01-14 20:07:59 Karl : The main reason was to address a thatch problem before it gets any worse. With the Ashes in 2027 it was a good time to do it. Our drainage is good, and that masks the thatch problem (which wasn't severe)2026-01-14 20:07:53 Karl : Love the real answers Mark, life's too short to be worrying about a little bit of disease here and there. It'll all be ok when the weather turns good2026-01-14 20:06:39 groundsman620467822 : Q- Karl what was the main reason for completely reseeding the outfield at lord and starting again & hows it looking now2026-01-14 20:05:59 Paul : Keep the videos going Mark2026-01-14 20:05:48 mark_ycg : only so many times i can talk about brushing2026-01-14 20:05:46 mark_ycg : thanks Karl, really appreciate that! tough making content this time of the year 🤣 only so many timez2026-01-14 20:05:21 Karl : Yes Loz, its about right. It keeps good continuity within the working schedule, and gives opportunity for time off.2026-01-14 20:05:01 groundsman620467822 : ditto Mark, keep going on vids2026-01-14 20:04:34 Karl : Love your videos Mark2026-01-14 20:04:02 laurence Gale : Is that enough staff to cope with the ever increasing work load on both the main grounds and practice ground2026-01-14 20:03:54 groundsman620467822 : here till 9pm2026-01-14 20:03:45 groundsman620467822 : Evening Mark and Paul, very informal here to ask questions and when goes slow l have a list for Karl as long as your arm2026-01-14 20:03:39 Paul : Evening all2026-01-14 20:02:52 mark_ycg : evening everyone2026-01-14 20:02:41 groundsman620467822 : Dont be shy anyone waching, all welcome here2026-01-14 20:01:52 Karl : 5 fulltime, 1 apprentice and 4 seasonals from April 12026-01-14 20:01:50 groundsman620467822 : Saw the oval putting in blocks on outfield today on post, unless they just do that. will soon come around2026-01-14 20:01:15 laurence Gale : How many staff do you have now for the forthcoming season any new apprentices2026-01-14 20:01:11 Karl : No date in mind, all weather dependant.2026-01-14 20:00:01 groundsman620467822 : good on you Karl:)2026-01-14 19:59:32 laurence Gale : Karl what date are you due to start preparations2026-01-14 19:59:19 Karl : Thankfully not, nothing until 2 days before our first championship game. Middlesex have a marquee at Merchant Taylors school. The downside is it congests our calendar but it does help having a later start2026-01-14 19:59:00 groundsman620467822 : a few minutes before questions to allow others to join:)2026-01-14 19:58:45 groundsman620467822 : late march friendlies?2026-01-14 19:57:05 Karl : Mid Feb?? Lets not get too excited! I'm sunning myself in Egypt then 🙂2026-01-14 19:56:39 laurence Gale : Yes it will be interesting to see what weather conditions prevail during those 11 weeks2026-01-14 19:55:41 groundsman620467822 : those dreaded sheets come out mid feb maybe Karl?2026-01-14 19:55:37 Karl : Great to see everyone online. Once we get going I'm happy to try and answer any questions and share experiences I have had. It was mentioned to me today that our first game is only 11 weeks away!!2026-01-14 19:54:50 groundsman620467822 : good day everyone?2026-01-14 19:54:26 Richard Bundy : evening everyone2026-01-14 19:53:34 groundsman620467822 : evening guys2026-01-14 19:53:34 groundsman620467822 : eveing2026-01-14 19:53:29 laurence Gale : good evening2026-01-14 19:53:17 Richard Bundy : good evening everyone2026-01-14 19:52:00 Karl : Good evening all2026-01-14 19:51:50 groundsman620467822 : Good evening Joel 🙂2026-01-14 19:49:33 Joel Cheng : Good evening all2026-01-14 19:49:12 groundsman620467822 : for the best experience switch to desktop or tablet, text boxes can be adjusted. no images can be uploaded, only via me via a url2026-01-14 19:48:49 groundsman620467822 : Evening Trevor2026-01-14 19:43:27 Trevor Hamilton : Good Evening All!!2026-01-14 19:43:09 groundsman620467822 : feel free to say hi and test the chat before 8pm or after2026-01-14 19:36:56 groundsman620467822 : TurfChat HERE WED THE 14TH 8PM2026-01-08 10:19:11 groundsman620467822 : 
2026-01-08 10:18:37 brian sandalls : temp in soil still high or enough, if van afford seed now and then spring if needed. if money a issue wait till spring but always worth the gamble as grass cover really essential. could use germ sheet/fleece just remember to monitor and take off after a week , it speed up chance of germ. pnly get disease if you dont keep a eye. its all help but also warm ish so will germinate if stays mild , may take a couple of weeks . i seeded last dec come in in a week or two, thickened out in spring and survived frosts2025-12-13 14:56:27 Richard : Struggling a bit after square renovations. Our square is on a slope, a storm after initial work washed seed down the hill on bottom quarter. Reseed late October to be hit by another storm. Some progress but bottom quarter still very sparse. As still warm enough looking to seed this area again. Question - do I fleece or cover with germination sheets or is disease to great a risk at this time of year? Any other suggestions. Thank you.2025-12-13 07:19:46 Chris Johnson : Hello Brian2025-12-07 22:53:18 John : Great2025-12-07 20:39:30 TurfCareBlog : thanks2025-12-07 20:09:09 guest_48273 : Look forward to it 2025-12-07 19:49:34 groundsman620467822 : TurfChat Coming in the new year- but always free to leave a comment and someone will reply2025-12-07 19:06:30TurfChat will work more smoothly on a tablet/laptop
Make the chat/reply box bigger/smaller by adjusting the dashes (Desktop/Tablet)
Meet the Member- Gary Barwell
Q&A Gary Barwell of Edgbaston (Warwickshire Cricket), in this blog we ask Gary six straight to the point questions on things like, what is the biggest innovation and what makes a good Groundsperson. We also asked Gary his top turf tip worth sharing.
What’s the most challenging part of your job?
The weather with its changing climate and the pressure to produce the best all the time. The pressure from TV social media and extra demands on the playing surface has made the job really hard all year round, plus the number of fixtures has nearly doubled in the last five years.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
The industry I work in there are some amazing and friendly people, Theres also the pleasure to produce surfaces for the best players in the world to perform on and to be part of sporting history.
What do you think has been the biggest innovation, that’s helps you do your job introduced in the last ten years or so?
Personally, at Edgbaston the investment in people and machinery, they go above and beyond giving me the best tools to achieve the best results
What’s makes a good groundsperson in your experience?
Dedicated, professional and most of all genuine plus an eye for detail, willing to go the extra mile for everyone and trying to stay happy!!!!!!!!
What would you say to encourage anyone who’s considering becoming a Grounds person?
Listen to everyone but enjoy the ride highs and lows, learn every day and never give up on your dreams
What’s the best turf tip you have ever been given and could pass to someone else?
Never leave anything out there also believe in yourself. I always think if I was in the stands or watching on TV what would I think about the groundstaff team.
Study
Community Wisdom
Scott Stewart-You will never be rich doing sportsturf but you have the best office in the world.
Ben Griggs-“Never compromise on your standards.”
Walker Ground Staff-Some times the hardest thing to do is nothing best advice.
Andy Bate-knowing when to do nothing is the greatest skill.
Kevin John Whorley-Don’t second guess go with gut feeling.
Mark Pearson- Every ground is different, listen to advice but do what works for you and don’t be frightened to try other ideas, you’ll learn more from mistakes.
Community Poll Results
I left school at 16, not really knowing what to do, all I knew was I did not want to work indoors!! I found a job advert in the local paper for an apprenticeship scheme at my local horticultural college. Interview with the college and then I had an interview at Kimbolton private school. Landed both! That was the beginning of my journey almost 30yrs ago.
Video
What are your thoughts about Cylinder vs Rotary for grass density?
If so let us know in the comments box at the bottom of this page!
4 comments
Myself l have started to use penetrant(wetting agent) to try and get the water through the top of the profile more effectively, YOU?
I’d definitely recommend using a surfactant through the winter months, if your budget allows it.
Good stuff John, looks like l was advised well. Just need to stop raining so can apply..
Getting a spray window is a problem especially so with the ground so soft!