December Football Diary 2008

The weather last month, as in October, saw parts of the country enveloped in snow. Be it all but brief it did seem to follow a familiar pattern. Cold wet and overcast with some occasional brief spells of sunshine. Certainly all features likely to stress grass even before a player takes to the field.

December, next to January, is the darkest month of the year with the grass only receiving a potential of around 8 hours of light each day though, by the end of the month, the days will be starting to stretch out again (December 21st being the shortest day), thankfully.

Coupled with the sun being lower in the sky it is not surprising that premiership grounds with high stadiums struggle with parts of the pitch being in constant shade. With the introduction and use of light gantries, this has improved matters in providing grass with the light it requires for growth and recovery. But, of course, lighting rigs are not within the purchasing power of all and, in these circumstances, some harder work may be required.

For instance, some taller hedges can be reduced in height (hard work initially but will bring some long term benefits). Brushing during the right conditions. All too often I have seen some pitches where the grass has become smeared with mud through brushing or drag matting while the grass is still damp and particularly in the presence of worm casts.

Of course, the rain will wash it off the plant eventually but it will rob the grass plant of valuable light. Much better to leave it until the right conditions are available to carry out the task. Do get onto your pitch as soon as possible after a match to divot and, just as importantly, to lift the grass that has been trodden well into the soil back up into the light.

Frosty mornings are a good time to catch up on some machinery maintenance while you wait for the frost to work its way out of the grass. Check to ensure that the frost has fully lifted before venturing out with machinery to avoid stress and damage to the grass.

No doubt we will continue in December to experience some regular heavy dewy mornings that will bring with it the increased chance of fungal outbreaks. Though some outbreaks will need treatment with a fungicide, prevention is better than the cure and this can be aided by the reduction of stress on your turf through good cultural practices.

The important thing is to keep the air circulating around the grass plant with a combination of regular brushing, dragmatting and spiking to a variety of depths.

There are a couple of new seed mixtures out in the market place containing annual ryegrass as well as perennial ryegrass, bred and mixed to have an edge in areas of low light, high wind chill and giving good winter colour. The best part is that the germination of the mixtures is quoted as being viable down to 3 degrees. This does bring the possibility of some mid season repairs as well as being a useful material addition to your divoting regime.

Early This Month

Sand applications can be a benefit to ensure pitch playability, but it is important to understand that, in the absence of a good free draining soil and/or a good drainage system, little or no benefit will be gained from just adding sand to a worn goal mouth or centre circle area and walking away. You may think of this a little like throwing a handfull of marbles into a bowl of porridge. After spreading the sand, it is important that the area is hand forked or spiked and the sand worked down the holes. Don't buy any sand and especially not builders sand, as this can lead you to further problems down the road (consult your local specialist supplier for the correct sand for your ground).

Applications of tonics can also be applied in accordance with your annual programme to help harden your turf against damage and the ingress of turf diseases.

Keep an eye out for disease and treat at the early signs. If worm activity is a problem then brushing the surface when dry will help to dissipate the casts, reducing the problem of smearing. In some circumstances the use of a casting worm suppressant may be required, in which case always follow the manufacturer's recommendations regarding timing, PPE, dose and volume rates and, just as important, what adjuvants can be used in the mix. Keep to the recommendations. For the record, an adjuvant can be defined as a substance other than water which is not in itself a pesticide that enhances or is intended to enhance the effectiveness of the pesticide with which it is used.

Later This Month

Some areas may require some topdressing to restore surface levels, such as goalmouths. Use a fork and work it well into the ground and ensure that the topdressing is worked fully into the holes.

Post match repairs

Divoting, brushing to bring the grass back upright. Cutting with a box to clean surface debris. Continue your pre match preparations: brushing, spiking, cutting, marking out, not forgetting your post and net inspections.

Pitch set-ups

Continue your pre match preparations: brushing, spiking, cutting, marking out, not forgetting your post and net inspections.

Ongoing maintenance

Keep casual play out of goal mouth areas. This can be easily achieved if you have a set of portable goals that can be moved around to different parts of your field or pitch. However, if you have socket goals then your task may be a little more difficult.

Cutting: Continue cutting regularly 25-37mm to ensure a good sward density. Grass growth may slow some towards the end of the month, which makes cutting at the correct time essential to avoid thinning a sward that will be slow to recover by mowing in the wet and smearing worm casts etc. Also ensure that any cutting equipment used is keenly set to cut without tearing.

Dragmatting and brushing: Continue the work of brushing to keep the air circulating around the base of the plant, particularly important for removing early morning dew and controlling disease. This will also help to reinforce the presentation of the pitch.

Verticutting: Will help to ensure that the sward is kept clean of lateral growth that may be appearing and also help to ensure that good circulation of air around the base of the plant.

Spiking: Continue spiking when the conditions are right (this should only be carried out if the soil is suitably moist.) to augment your deep spiking carried out to alleviate built up of compaction. Keep your spiking regime flexible, alternating between surface spiking, deep spiking and slitting.

Marking out: Take your time over this as rushed lines will invariably wander. This creates a false impression, lowering the overall standard and vision of an otherwise perfect surface. An accurate line makes such a difference. Always be prepared to run a line out to aid you in this.

Divoting: This is an obvious, but continue this essential work and it will pay you dividends later in the season. At this part of the season a little addition of seed mixed with a little topsoil may still germinate providing the conditions are right. You may find it worthwhile trying the new seed mixtures mentioned earlier.

Harrowing and light raking (with a grooming rake) when conditions are right will help to maintain surface levels.

Equipment Checks:

Check weekly - goals for loose bolts, and tighten as necessary.
Check nets - make sure the net is properly supported at the back of the goal and isn't sagging.
Check team dugouts are stable and anchored securely. Make sure that they are tidy and free from litter

Machinery Maintenance

If you haven't already turned some thought to your machinery service program, start formulating a plan of what service requirements are needed for which machine, and a time when you will be sending your mowers out for sharpening etc., so they are not all sent out at once. Look at the overall condition and check for any extra requirements needed to keep it compliant with current health and safety legislation. Check also for things that may cause a problem in the future such as fatigue fractures on handle bars or on grass box carriers etc.

Keep your machinery in tip top condition. Grease where you find a grease nipple, oil where you see a metallic moving part, check the oil, check the water. If in doubt consult the owner's manual. Clean it when you've finished. All this may seem mundane but will keep your mower going when you need it, and save you money in costly down time.

Finally, may I wish all within the grounds care profession who work tirelessly and in some cases without reward to produce the best facilities including, those who work hard behind the scenes at pitchcare to bring us this fantastic platform for learning and discussion, the very best seasons felicitations and wishes for your coming new year. Have a good one.

By Malcolm Gardner
Grounds Manager
BA Clubs