I have inherited a square with a few problems. One of which is a ripple effect which contributes to uneven bounce. My instinct is to dress relatively heavily, get a 3m. lute and run it up and down the direction of play until well worked in. I was recently advised to go across play first. Does anyone have any other suggestions or advice?
Just checking - which way do the ripples run?
The ciderman rolls
by ripple, are we talking washboarding ?
If so, you'll need to really hammer it hard with the sacrifier then get enough top dressing on to try and level it.
Wash boarding is normally caused by either wrong roller or wrong conditions. I think it likely you'll find you've other problems as well so get the corer out.
Of course there's no bounce, bend your back and put some bloody effort in.
Rotavator
The ripple or washboard runs across play so that when I mow with play I can feel the mower rising and falling.
I have many other problems and have taken the corer out.
I just thought I'd start with this one!
I think you'll find the ripple's run with line of play - that's the only way that the mower would go up and down.
To get rid of them you're really going to have to break up the top surface during renovations. Ideally you'd koro off the top and start again.
I know there are now koro type blades for the new sisis 602 which might be an option. So long as you've not got a thatch problem you should be OK just completely breaking up the surface and then levelling it all.
I think it would be a good idea for you to get someone in to offer first hand advise - your county groundsman association would be the place to start.
Washboarding is caused by bow waves from the roller - normally during preseason rolling, when the roller has been used too heavy too early or when it's way too wet.
Of course there's no bounce, bend your back and put some bloody effort in.
Trundler,
Does your club have finance available and what part of the Country are you in?
There is lots you can do but it will all cost money. You say you have many other problems, perhaps a number of them are connected and could be resolved by one operation.
Either way you may have to be very brave and go for what appears quite drastic measures to achieve a satisfactory result.
hi all,
The ripple effect can also be caused by end of season seeding.
If your drilling the seed in both directions the final drill will result in the best " furrow "!!!!!.
when you broadcast the seed in the drill this will germinate in a straight line, unlike the first drill, this will be disturbed by the seconed drilling.
what you must insure is that when you topdress follow the line of that final drill.
then 3 meter truelute the topdressing in, insure that drill is level.
the Graden produces great drills and good tilth.
I would recommend to koro a cricket pitch every season .
Remove up to 10mm, this will have some control on dead root and grass and keep the pitches level.
I will also be weedkilling my tables to rid coarse PRG and get shot of the AMG.
I also now spray with primo maxx in the spring, this controls AMG and reduces the problem of grass growth in the spring.
Note that the 3 pieces of kit that i use Graden, Koro and Met-r- matic are all manufactured outside the UK..
Chris
27 Jul 2009 by Trundler Last edited 27 Jul 2009
Apparently, the square was Koroed last year, in an attempt to get rid of course PRG. I'm a b it wary of doing it again even though the course PRG is still a problem. I have considered spraying it off, but my main concern at the moment is this ripple.
The square also suffers from cracking and a lack of grass cover. As a result, I get grass springing up from the cracks in between hard areas with little grass. There is very little root depth but a great 8" base and no layering.
I do plan to use a graden, dress at about 10 bags/pitch and heavily overseed. Then aerate during the autumn.
Something doesn't add up.
Can you describe this ripple to us? How far apart are the peaks? What is the height from peak to trough? Do you have a gut instinct for the source of these ripples on a recently koroed surface?
Is this a true surface ripple, or is it a grass plant ripple caused by, as Chris suggests, by lines of plants germinated in parallel furrows?
The ciderman rolls
I have experienced a Koro minus a blade, this can leave an uneven surface.
I had to Graden this out
Chris
A recently koro'd surface is amazingly soft - especially in the first winter and spring. You've got to be very very careful when you start rolling. In fact you've got to be very careful when you do anything on it.
There's a big difference between surface ripple (which I assumed you were referring to) and a grass ripple.
Of course there's no bounce, bend your back and put some bloody effort in.
How much top dressing was applied, if any, after the Koro had done its job ?
I also inherited a a square 11 years ago with a ripple effect across the line of play on 3 pitches. Two years of cross dressing paying particular attention to the affected area with a large straight edge/lute did the trick. I know for a fact the previous groundsman caused the rippling by rolling when the soil was too wet. The cranfield report suggests we want to create a vertical force when rolling, not a horizontal. It says the following:-
The depth of this horizontal movement suggests that it could be a cause of root breaks and it is also known to corrugate wet pitches. So not only should groundsmen avoid
rolling the pitch when wet because it doesn't compact the soil, it could actually harm the profile too.
29 Jul 2009 by mario Last edited 29 Jul 2009
"Two years of cross dressing" Anthny? Mmmmm.....is that the Groundsman's secret out? LOL !!
I know no boundaries.
wayne. you're never going to be allowed to forget that statement :)
Of course there's no bounce, bend your back and put some bloody effort in.
All those conversations Wayne and i never guessed. You have me thinking now.
I do agree with your facts though.
Back to Top - Go to Next Unread Message
This Message is closed, you may not post a reply at this time
