December Cricket Diary 2011

All being well you should have managed to complete your end of season renovations and germination has been successful. Any loam dressings should now have settled down and, in some cases, well washed in.

It is important to go into the winter months with a good sward cover. Soil conditions should now be more favourable for deeper aeration work, as moist conditions allow easier penetration of tines without causing damage to soil structure or too much disturbance to the surface profile. Try and aerate both your square and outfields to improve soil porosity.

The winter months is also an ideal time for getting many repairs to the ground completed. Scoreboards, practice net posts and fences around the ground can be repaired, painted or stained. Depending on ground conditions, some clubs may be able to complete drainage or reconstruction works during the winter months.

Existing drainage systems can be overhauled and cleaned out, and additional drainage systems may be added. With soil and air temperatures now dropping, early morning frosts are appearing on grass surfaces, so it is important not to walk across frozen ground as this will lead to turf damage. Some parts of the country have already experienced some snow cover on higher ground. Ideally, try and keep off the grounds until the snow has gone.

Regular brushing and sarel rolling will help keep the square surface dry and aerated; Spraying - worm and moss treatments; Machinery service; Pruning and leaf collecting

Diary Compiled by Robert Stretton
Massey Ferguson Sports Club
Coventry

One of the difficulties with the spraying chemicals at this time of the year is getting an accurate forecast to know when there is a dry window of opportunity. The last thing you need is to spray a chemical for it to be rendered ineffective by weather patterns. These products are expensive enough to buy in the first place. Worm treatments can be carried out if needed, but please remember to ask yourself why worms are present. Ph level are usually the main factor, but organic matter and your cultural practices on the square need to be assessed. Carbendazim is now the only active ingredient available for controlling worms.

Mowing frequencies during the winter months are dependent on the need and condition of the ground. It is important to maintain a constant height of cut, on both the square and outfield. The square should be maintained between 12-20mm with the outfield maintained at between 25-35mm. Remember; the outfield too has a major effect on a game if unattended.

Useful Information for Spra ying & Mowing

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	Bill Clutterbuck - the legend at Guildford Cricket Club		Cricket Accessories

Too many clubs tend to neglect their outfields, it is important to undertake some work on the cricket outfields as they are an important part of the game, they need to be firm, flat and free from weeds. The outfield should be treated through the winter the same as any other natural grass surface - aeration, fertilising and mowing should not be neglected.

Some cricket outfields are often maintained as winter sports pitches, and the amount of work carried out may be determined by whether the outfield is being used for other sports (football/rugby).

Ideally, on the outfields, aeration should penetrate down to a depth around 200mm to promote deeper rooting. But, with the very dry summer experienced in some parts of the country, deeper aeration may be restrictive.

The frequency of aeration activities will often depend on the resources - money, machinery and time - available. In the main, you should be looking to aerate throughout the winter period on a monthly basis, weather and soil conditions permitting.

Depending on ground conditions, some clubs may be able to complete drainage or reconstruction works during the winter months. Existing drainage systems can be overhauled and cleaned out, and additional drainage systems may be added.

Useful Information for Outfields and Aeration

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	Winter shut down for Cricket Groundsmen		Cricket Covers

Turf disease can be quite prevalent when soil moisture levels increase, coupled with the presence of early morning dews. The combination of moist soils and surface moisture on the leaf blade can increase the susceptibility of disease attack. Regular brushing in the mornings to remove the dew from the playing surfaces will reduce the likelihood of disease outbreak. Many turf grass diseases can be active at this time of the year - fairy rings, red thread and Fusarium are the most commonly seen.

Worms can also be active this month. Keep an eye the square and treat accordingly. Worm treatments can be carried out if needed, but please remember to ask yourself why worms are present. Ph level, organic matter and your cultural practices on the square may need to be assessed. Carbendazim is now the only active ingredient available for controlling worms.

Useful Information for Pest and Disease

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	Red Thread Disease		Fungicides

When air and soil temperatures drop, this reduces the respiration rate of the grass plant. The grass plant is now entering its dormant stage. Applying fertilisers during December and through the winter months is not a viable option. The plant cannot and will not be able to make good use of the fertilisers. Any growth produced by the plant may be susceptible to disease attack.

Ideally, once or twice a year, or as required, soil sampling is an important part of grounds maintenance. The results will enable the manager to have a better understanding of the current status of his soil and turf. There are many tests that can be undertaken, but usually the main test to consider is Particle Size Distribution (PSD).

This test will give you accurate information on the soil type and its particle make up, enabling you to match up with appropriate top dressing materials and ensuring you are able to maintain a consistent hydraulic conductivity (drainage rate) of your soil profile.

Soil pH: It is important to keep an eye on your soil; a pH of 5.5-6.5 is a suitable level for most grass plants.

Organic matter content: It is important to keep a balanced level of organic matter content in the soil profile. Too much and you run the risk of a soft spongy surface with slow pace and variable bounce.

Nutrient Levels: Keeping a balance of N P K nutrients within the soil profile is essential for healthy plant growth. Once you have this information, you will be in a better position to plan next season's feeding and maintenance programmes.

Useful Information for Fertilising and Soil tests

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	'A Groundsman's Life' - Kent Cricket's Andy Peirson		Cricket Pitch Grass Seed

Keep all surfaces clean by regular sweeping and brushing to remove any algae and moss from surface.

Sand filled systems also require regular brushing to maintain manufacturer's recommendations for sand levels and pile heights.

Net facilities: Repair damaged structures and netting, order new if required. Strim and mow around structures.

Remove all net and practice structures for repair and stored away for the winter.

Useful Information for Artificial pitches and net facilities

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	Village cricket is a funny old game!		Cricket Cages & Netting