Suffolk County Cricket Board

• Make sure all machinery is serviced and sharpened. Blunt cylinder and rotary mowers damage the grass tips and increase disease risk and lower presentation.
• Plan to apply  an autumn fertiliser with at least 6% iron or new Scotts Jewel Herbicide to control moss and maintain plant feed, ryegrass is always hungry.
• If possible try to cut the square very lightly with a sharp rotary mower with collection box. This will tidy up twigs and leaves and start to reduce grass height.
• Consider a light vertigroom or scarification to remove any worm casts and dead moss towards the end of the month if control has been applied earlier.
• Light rolling could be considered with a cylinder mower if the above has been successful. Do not roll until the surface is totally free of debris, moss, weeds and worm casts otherwise thatch will increase.
• If you judge the square to be of “plasticine” texture begin heavy rolling in Union Jack configuration, always finishing in direction of play.
• Do not over roll, upto 2 tons little and often is best. You will not make any difference after 3 passes on the same spot at any one time.
• Try to drag brush the outfield and square as much as possible.
• Try to have the outfield slit or vertidrained to improve drainage and disperse wormcasts this will help to also prevent blunting the gang mowers first time out!
• Those with funds should plan to have the outfield sprayed for moss and weeds
• Talk to BASIS and FACTS qualified reps from local Amenity Turf Specialists to plan a programme of fertiliser and spray applications to keep your ground in top condition all summer.
• Present your plan to the committee and enjoy the look on there face!
  

Tim Parker
ECB Suffolk County Pitch Advisor
Mob: 07714 332001