January Cricket Diary 2013

January's weather can be fairly unpredictable, with snow, rain and freezing temperatures that are not always conducive to your planned winter maintenance regimes.

Many grounds may well be saturated, preventing you from doing any work to the square or the outfield. Clay soils at this time of the year can become plastic (de structured), especially after a lot of heavy rain. Whilst in this state the square is prone to damage from foot and mechanical activities. It is usually best to stay off the square and refrain from doing any work until it has drained and the surface has dried.

On your return from your Christmas break, you are likely to find you may have accumulated some surface debris on the square (leaves, litter etc). It is important to remove them as the sward will not be able to survive and will be subject to lack of light and could die.

Many clubs often erect temporary fences around their squares to protect them. It is important to ensure the fence remains in a safe and effective condition.

If you are not able to work on the square, you could spend some time on the outfield (weather permitting). Regular brushing will help remove dew as well as lifting the sward after a bout of snow. Aeration is a key activity that can be carried out too, along with some localised drainage/repair works to rectify any problem areas, such as depressions you have identified.

January is also a good time to carry out repairs and maintenance to resources such as sightscreens and other structures around the ground. You may get some favourable weather for painting and repairing these structures.

Diary Compiled by Robert Stretton
Massey Ferguson Sports Club
Coventry

Brushing: 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 during mild periods.

Mowing : Do not neglect your square, it may be necessary to mow during the winter. Allowing the grasses to grow too long will encourage a weak leggy sward. Mowing frequencies during the winter months are dependant on the need and condition of the facility. It is important to maintain a constant height of cut on both the square and outfield.

The outfield should now be maintained between 25-35mm. The square should be maintained between 12-20mm using a rotary pedestrian mower, as a cylinder could tear or rip out fragile growth.

Remember; the outfield too has a major effect on a game if unattended. The outfield should be treated through the winter the same as any other natural grass surface - aeration, fertilising and mowing should not be neglected.

Useful Information for Brushing and Mowing

Articles		Products
	Herd of cows bring forward work on moving the square		Cricket Square Grass Seed

The use of a sarell roller to keep the surface free draining will also be beneficial to the square. Some Groundsmen may still want to carry out some deeper aeration work on the square; however, this policy is effective only where shallow rooting is a main concern and where pre-season rolling is not introduced until late March or early April. As a rule of thumb, many do not aerate after JANUARY.

The outfield can be aerated though, using solid or slit tines when conditions allow.

Useful Information for Aeration

Articles		Products
	Why should we carry out aeration?		Cricket Cages & Nets

Diseases can still occur in January, especially during spells of mild weather. It is important to keep the sward brushed, particularly in the mornings. Knocking off the dew helps remove surface water from the sward, allowing it to dry out and preventing disease attacks.

The use of switching canes and brushes can be used to remove these dew deposits. Worm activity can be quite prevalent during the winter months, especially during periods of mild weather. Keep an eye on the square and treat accordingly. Worm treatments can be carried out if needed, but please remember to ask yourself why worms are present. pH levels, organic matter and your cultural practices on the square need to be assessed. Carbendazim is now the only active ingredient available for controlling worms.

Systemic curative and protective fungicides can be used to control diseases; there are a wide range of products on the market that have the active ingredients chlorothalonil and iprodione. These fungicides are usually applied in liquid form using water as a carrier. All personnel should be suitably qualified in the application of chemicals.

With pests such as rabbits, foxes and moles it a case of identifying the problem and controlling their activities; employing approved pest control services to eradicate them from site may be a solution.

Useful Information for Pest and Disease

Articles		Products
	Red Thread Disease		Professional Fungicides

Fertiliser treatment and turf tonics can be continued in accordance with your annual programme. If you haven't got a fertiliser programme, have your soil tested. Try an independent soil analysis company for an impartial set of results. Only apply what your soil requires.

However, the application of a low nitrogen, higher potash feed (NPK 6:5:10 +6% Fe) will help green up the grass and, at the same time, help control any moss that has accumulated in the sward during the winter months.

Useful Information for Fertilser

Articles		Products
	Back to basics for fertiliser		Cricket

Planning: Winter months enable you to evaluate how well your maintenance regimes have gone which, in turn, will help you plan the work for next season. You may need to seek quotations for machinery and materials. Be prepared for next season.

Failure to prepare - prepare to fail. It is important to keep records and diaries of the activities carried out, and how well the facility and each pitch have performed. The advent of the digital camera is a great tool for recording information. January is an ideal time to contact sales reps to find out what products are available for spring renovations; do not leave it late to order materials.

Useful Information for Planning

Articles		Products
	All in a day's work at Bath Cricket Club		Cricket Loam