Message Board - Cricket: Scotts jewel and moss on outfield
27 Jan 2010 by barry glynn
The moss on my outfield seems to be getting worse, started last year after the snow in Feb. Had it sprayed in March but was thinking of trying Scotts jewel this Spring. Problem is, apparently it goes white where the moss was and needs scarifying out after. I ve only got an pedestrian Sisis autorake and dont fancy trapsing that round over hectare.But if I do, will these areas need reseeding after. Might be more trouble than its worth.
I normally have it sprayed for weeds but was thinking of trying Jewel as it is meant to treat weeds and moss
What do I do? I just cut the grass.
28 Jan 2010 by Vic Demain
Barry, live with the moss at this time of year it always looks bad. Try to change practises over the years, more slitting. If you get rid of the moss, you will need to oversow or will have weeds etc. Save your money for more important tasks.
28 Jan 2010 by barry glynn
Vic
I wasnt planning to do anything until late March. Its getting worse so I am thinking if I dont do anything, it isnt going to go away. Got nothing to slit it with anyway.But the outfield is a large area and if I seed it after though, I cant cover the seed up withh anything for protection.
The moss wont go away in the summer though will it?
What do I do? I just cut the grass.
28 Jan 2010 by Vic Demain
Barry, if you kill the moss in March, some other ground cover will take it's place. Killing it is only the start, you need to ask why is it there in the first place and what can you do to solve it? Overseeding and regular spiking may help but the chances are it will return again next winter. Come the summer, moss doesn't like dry hot conditions, so hopefully you will have less problem.
By all means use the treatment but will it be good use of the budget?
28 Jan 2010 by Steve63
Vic is right, look at why you have moss, usually poor grass cover caused by many different things, shading, poor drainage, compaction, nutrient deficiency etc..
If you can start to do something with one aspect it will help with the others as they are usually related to each other.
If you kill the moss and do nothing else then you will just have the moss returning with some weeds as well.
Regards
Steve
Don't talk to me about Contractors Wonka, I am one myself......
28 Jan 2010 by barry glynn
Its a difficult one Vic. The cost of the jewel stuff is about £150 plus about the same for someonne to apply it, I dont have a spraying licence or the equipment.
The moss has only appeared in the last 18 monnths dues I suppose to all the damp weather. I know it recedes a bit in the summer but doesnt go away does it?
It sounds like to only decent attemt would involve a lot off work and monney spent on hirinng machinery with no guarantee of sortinng it. I dont want to go to the clubs committee and recommend spending precious monnies with no guarantee of success.
What do I do? I just cut the grass.
28 Jan 2010 by barry glynn
Steve
Yes I know moss is a booger, had little bits do deal with on square but not much. But the outfield is a big old area and going round hand raking annd reseeding them isnt really a practical proposition.
Shame cos I m very proud of my outfield over the past few years
What do I do? I just cut the grass.
28 Jan 2010 by Vic Demain
Barry, you are right to be proud and it reflects well, but the truth is unless you have the budget, machinery and manpower of say Lord's, as long as the outfield is well cut and presented that's as much as you can ask for.
We have moss and plenty of it but come summer we will still get the odd first class game.
28 Jan 2010 by barry glynn
I think you re right Vic. Ill let the committee know of the situation but tell them that without top class manpower etc as you say, there isnt much we can do. Lets hope for a warm dryish summer as usual eh?
I do have ambitions eventually to get some counties twos cricket on it, we did stage a Surrey limited over game here in the eighties, John Player I think it was then but a lot of water has gone by since then, bad times etc but we are getting back to the top and getting the ground as good as I can is helping.Due to be a Focus club by end of next month with plans for a second ground behind our pavilion inn progress.
Money is tighter this year but we are a proper club with no other sport and a history going back to the 1700's.
What do I do? I just cut the grass.
28 Jan 2010 by pacman75cricket
Looks like a very nice ground barry credit to you.
Sounds like you have a good club.
28 Jan 2010 by barry glynn
Thanks pacman
Do my best,lot to learn but plenty of good advice on here helps a lot.
Club is doing ok, harder this year financially but we re all in the same boat there i think
What do I do? I just cut the grass.
29 Jan 2010 by Martin Wythe
Barry
Every autumn we gradually see moss raise its's ugly head in the out field. In late feb we apply liquid iron followed by fertiliser.
The moss is knocked back and the fertiser encourages the grass.
Most years by mid April the outfield is fairly much spot on. we have only scarified and removed the arisings once in many years
this I believe was needed as we missed a year of iron.
29 Jan 2010 by barry glynn
Martin
What liquid iron and what fertiliser do you use and when do you apply the fertiliser?
What do I do? I just cut the grass.
29 Jan 2010 by Martin Wythe Last edited 29 Jan 2010
Any of the pure soluble iron products work. Vitex 50-50 soluble iron works. then a light application of fert as the soil warms up in early march 12.6.6 or similar. this brings the grass on a treat.
If you are going to apply it yourself through a knapsack or walkover then if you are careful you can use ordinary iron sulphate. Dissolve it first in a tub let any impurities settle
and pass through a fine sieve(pair of tights) apply at 5gms/m2
and not too concentrated.
29 Jan 2010 by barry glynn
Martin
I would not be doing it myself.But appyling fert to the whole outfield is going to cost a fortune isnt it?
What do I do? I just cut the grass.
29 Jan 2010 by Martin Wythe
you maybe lucky and find that your soil is fertile enough not to need fertiliser. The problem is if the grass doesn't get away your outfield may end up looking a bit thin. 12 bags of 7.7.7 would just do around 12000m2 cost at around £15.00/bag = £180.00 to 200.00 + VAT
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