Winter sports pitches tasks for February/March tasks includes post pitch repair guidance along with management of worm casts and disease prevention. As we come into this period with little growth, especially in February, pitches will be really taking a beating but also as we get into March we have those sunnier days on the horizon to lift our spirits.
Cutting
Cylinder or rotary mow at between 25-30mm in rough HOC , keeping the pitches within this range will help prevent turf disease and also help keep a dense grass canopy with a good root depth. Growth at this time of year can be very low, so a cut every 2-4 weeks may be the norm if that! As we get to the later part of March ground temperature can start to rise along with a more frequent mowing schedule.
Rugby-HOC range – Autumn/Winter 50- 75 mm . Hoc may vary across sites, due to standard, growth and wear management.
Nutrition
Apply autumn /winter fertiliser, a touch of Fe (iron) included will help keep a moss at bay and help hold off disease. Avoid Fe (iron) applications around young grass, more of an issue if over seeding in March.
The more vigorously the grass is growing the more fertiliser inputs will be required, the grass will start to yellow which will be an indicator it’s in need of nutrients, specifically nitrogen.
Fertiliser requirements of a pitch, ideally should be based on annual soil nutrient testing results, something a 4-12-12 (autumn/winter) is common but not exclusive. Application rates are usually 35 grams per square metre.
Post Match Repairs
Post match ASAP hand repair any divots by lifting and prising back into position, any left over bare or low areas can be top dressed and seeded (if grass is growing).
Possible use of a tractor mounted/towed implement with a chain/spring tine harrow, can be used this will help sort out any minor levels and get the grass standing back upright.
The level of aggression is dependent on the plant’s ability to recover, so when it’s growing less, less aggressive settings are required. This period of low growth and recovery can be very testing for the winter sports grounds person, as the pitches struggle to bounce back post-match.
The use of a tractor mounted multi tool such as a quadraplay once hand divotting work is complete could also be helpful in gently brushing, raking, rolling (polish roller) the pitch level back to pre-match conditions
Overseeding
Autumn and Spring are the main overseeding periods, ideally creating holes or grooves 10-15 mm deep, and then seed into stud holes can also be helpful and contribute in creating contact between the seed and the soil. This gives the seed a safe haven to germinate and helps prevent wash off.
As we near the end of March we are possibly creeping towards the overseeding window, if you don’t want to wait till the end of the season to do so.
Avoid applications of Fe (iron) or iron contained within fertiliser around time when the plant is at its youngest (one leaf stage.
How to pre germinate grass seed
Disease Management/ Prevention
Disease forms mostly on those damp, still, cloudy dew forming days, regular brushing off the dew with the addition of iron (Fe) contained within fertiliser applications will assist in disease prevention.
Possible use of lawn sand or iron sulphur will dry out the infected leaf and prevent further outbreak or can be used as a preventative.
Worm Casts
If the grass is growing well, castes can be managed by cultural management techniques, such as drag matting and brushing when the castes are at their driest, often in the afternoon.
Soil testing
Early in the year is the best time to test the nutrient reserves within the soil; in doing so it will help you plan ahead for the rest of the year.
There is no point applying nutrients the plant simply doesn’t need; test kits are cheaply available and can be interpreted by a FACTs based advisor (person who sells you your fertiliser).
Goalmouths
Regular decompaction and the addition of hand forking the high wear areas with a bit of heave, which will in turn help decompact and gently lift/level the area.
A sports sand/rootzone top dressing mix can then be gently dressed across the area to help maintain levels, any dressing that goes into the fork holes can only be of benefit.
Aeration
Aeration of pitches if conditions allow via in-house solid tines, slit tines, linear with the possible addition of a deeper form of aeration such as verti-draining when or if required once/twice a season.
Aeration takes place when soft enough to penetrate, but not soft enough to create an intent with tractor wheels or bring up mud.
Take a look at our Guide to the Aeration of Sports Pitches Here
Linear aeration needs to be done autumn and early winter and not past this point to prevent re-opening of lines comes spring on surface drying, especially of importance if pitches also form part of a cricket outfield.
Don’t have a tractor, possibly hire or borrow a pedestrian type aerator and just do high wear areas.
Weed Control/Management
Weeds can be a sign of a lack of nutrients, compaction and other deficiencies, control methods include the prising out of shallow rooted weeds such as daisies and plantains Deeper rooted established weeds such as dandelion may need chemical application by some certified to apply herbicides, between April and September.
If only a few in numbers then hand weeding of those easy to prise out daisies and plantains, maybe a fruitful task.
Renovations Planning
Renovations may be only a few weeks or a couple of months away so now is a good time to get in those quotes on your seed, topdressing and possibly fertilisers.
Line Marking
Regular straightening/string line to keep the straight and weekly overmarking of lines.
Keep up stock levels of marking fluid, to ensure you don’t run short
Machinery Servicing
Machinery servicing is absolutely vital along with monthly start-ups of machines, get those machines done to avoid a spring rush.
Brian
Have you heard about possible funding, if not check out- Pitch Power by the Football Foundation- https://footballfoundation.org.uk/grant/grass-pitch-maintenance-fun
