Square:- Switch or drag brush your square to remove any surface moisture to discourage any disease, and sarrel roll to keep the surface open. Inspect your ground regularly for disease, worm activity, and spray as required. Mow the outfield and square as required. Check for broken fencing and drainage problems. Complete leaf collecting if not already done so.

Spraying:- 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 the condition of the ground. It is important to maintain a constant height of cut, on both the square and outfield. The use of a rotary for mowing the square will be more beneficial as it will reduce the effect of surface compaction, the square should be maintained between 12-20mm with the outfield maintained between 25-35mm. Remember; the outfield too has a major effect on a game if unattended.

Outfields:- Too many clubs tend to neglect their outfields, it is important to undertake some work on these areas as they play 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, 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). 

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.

Aeration treatments are of a fundamental importance. If not done so already, aerate your square and outfield. If your outfield is used for winter sport, link the work into your management programme. All soils are prone to compaction, but heavy clay soils which are inherently poor draining are particularly susceptible. To counteract existing compaction, aeration work should be seen as an ongoing process which must be carried out with modern, efficient equipment to achieve maximum benefits.

Deep penetration should be the objective to allow air in, facilitate water infiltration to lower levels and encourage deeper grass rooting. Without good gaseous exchange and movement of surplus water, excessively soft thatch ridden playing surfaces will be dominated by shallow rooted annual meadow grasses. For alleviating deep seated compaction, verti-draining is invaluable and has become an integral part of a maintenance programme at many clubs. To maximize the benefits of verti–draining, treatments must be carried out before ground conditions get too wet 

Verti-draining with solid tines are best suited for this work, as this will reduce deeper compacted layers and reduce the risk of panning; Slit tining is a preferred option as this opens up the surface and is much quicker. Hollow tine aeration has a key role in combating soil compaction within the top 75-100mm of the profile too, followed by a sandy top dressing mix, will assist a more freely draining playing surface. In the main, you should be looking to aerate throughout the winter period on a monthly basis, weather and soil conditions permitting. 

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. 

Fertilising: 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 nutrients, and any growth produced by the plant may be susceptible to disease attack.