The Groundsman - Back to work

The season is still a couple of months away but there are plenty of jobs to be done. total-play's David Bates gives his top tips on how to get your season off to the perfect start

With the weather hopefully starting to improve and ground temperature on the rise, March is the month for action! The grass plant will come out of its dormant winter state at ground temperatures of 6-7°C – so we need to be ready as soon as this happens to prevent too much growth.

At the first signs of growth, aim to cut to the optimum summer maintenance height of 12mm or half an inch as soon as conditions allow. If the square is in good shape you may be able to use a cylinder mower straight away, but on a longer sward use a rotary mower for the first couple of cuts, remembering to collect and clear the clippings, before you move onto the cylinder.

Worm control is also key – casts can get squashed into the surface when machinery (or feet) pass over them, causing bare earth patches that not only allow weed grasses to take hold but also aff ect performance. As we can no longer just spray to get rid of worms, regular brushing, light raking or using a drag mat before mowing or rolling can help disturb any casts and help prevent this happening.

Now read: Natural v non-turf pitches: Part 2

Even with the best conditions it's pretty inevitable that there will be one or two bare patches on the square. To combat this over-seed using two methods – first with a dimple seeder (which creates a 'pouch' in which seeds sit) – and also hand-casting seed evenly over the surface prior to rolling.

While the second method won't have as high a germination rate as using a dimple seeder, the roller will still push the seed into the soil; preventing it from being blown away by wind or taken by birds. With these works and a bit of luck with the weather, you'll have your table ready for action at the start of the season.

Got a question for our expert groundsman? Let us know at magazine@thecricketer.com

During his residency at Northants CCC, David Bates gained a reputation for preparing some of the finest pitches in the country. Having worked as a pitch advisor and trainer for the Institute of Groundsmanship, David now heads up total-play Ltd – which designs and installs class-leading non-turf cricket pitches and pitch cover solutions, and sports pitch consultancy Total Turf Solutions.

For more information, visit www.total-play.co.uk or call 01604 864 575