Recommended work on the Cricket Ground

Download your booklet on Month by Month Ground preparation here

Weekly Programme of recommended work on the Cricket Square - download an A4 sheet here

 

May

Light scarifying of the wickets and square will remove a lot of the thatch which has built up since the autumn. This will help with pace and bounce.

The wickets will be a little slow at this time of the season as there will be a good quantity of water below the surface and will be difficult to dry out at any depth.

It is essential to start wicket preparation seven to ten days in advance. This will give you a chance to dry the wicket out before play.

A spring fertiliser with low nitrogen content can be applied to help with grass growth, but beware of leaching out due to heavy rain or showers. In this event it may be necessary to reduce the time between each fertiliser application.

The outfield can now be harrowed and cut shorter ready for the start of the season. An outfield roller could be of benefit to get a true flat surface. A fertiliser with a low nitrogen base will help the grass growth. This is a good time to look at spraying the outfield for weeds.

June

Use a verticutter or scarify lightly to remove thatch. This will help to eliminate the build up of thatch. There may be evidence of some weed growth and this should be either sprayed with select weed killer or the use of spot weed. A light Nitrogen fertiliser would give the square a grass boost.

The preparation of wickets and repair of used wickets are the main tasks for this month.

July

Besides the continuing preparation of wickets to meet user demands, the square is typically mown twice a week and the outfield once a week.

Wickets that have been used and renovated earlier in the season might be able to be re-used again if they have recovered adequately.

Correct watering to a suitable depth, combined with planned rolling will produce a well-consolidated playing surface with good pace and bounce. If watering is not carried out to a sufficient depth, the shallow layer that was watered can crack and crumble when rolled.

If not carried out at the end of June, then July is a good time for a light Nitrogen only Fertiliser application to the whole square as this will help maintain sward strength without encouraging unwanted excessive growth.

Towards the end of the month, some wickets will be coming out of use for the few remaining weeks of the season. A head start on some end of season renovation tasks may be considered.

August

Ensure that you have all your materials in stock, or ordered, for the end of the season renovation in early September, or whenever the last match is played.

Wickets will be coming out of use for the season during August, so aeration and scarification can be carried out on these wickets to get a head start on the major renovation work later on.

Sarel rolling into the used surfaces will help with the grass growth and breaking up of compaction ready for the end of season. A light fertilising will assist with grass growth and colour.

Worcestershire Association of Groundsmen run a 'bulk buy' scheme for seed and fertiliser, details of which can be found on the website.

September

With the season now closing, or closed, a thorough renovation of the square will be required. This is the most important time of the year for the cricket square.

As soon as the cricket season has finished the square should be cut as short as possible to help when scarification starts.

Scarification should be done in as many directions as possible. Brush or mow off as much debris as possible leaving a clean surface ready for seeding and top dressing.

Aeration of the square with a solid tine spiker to a depth of 100 - 150mm should be carried out. A sarel roller pulled across the surface will help with the overseeding. A good mixture of dwarf rye grasses should be applied. An autumn and winter fertiliser applied now will help with germination.

A clay loam top dressing should be applied and worked into the surface using a trulute and straight edge to ensure the square is even throughout.

A chain drag mat pulled over the surface in as many directions as possible when the loam is dry will help again to work the top dressing into the spike holes.

 

October

All renovation work should be finished and hopefully grass should be germinating. The square should be brushed on a daily basis (weather permitting) to get rid of any worm casts or debris. Spiking of the square can also be carried out at this time. The grass on the square should not be allowed to grow too long and should be topped-off at a height of 25 mm. Fence-off the square with posts and rope to keep people off the new surface.

Harrowing and spiking of the outfield should be started now. This will help the future drainage and assist grass root development.

November

Regular brushing or dragging with a chain mat will help keep the square free from leaves and worm casts. Spiking of the square can be done again this month.

The outfield can be topped-off, if weather permits, with regular harrowing and spiking.

All machinery, mowers and rollers should be overhauled, and checking of engine oil levels and greasing of rollers should be carried out at this time. Any machine that cannot be serviced in the shed should be sent away to be repaired ready for use next season.

Now is an ideal time to ensure that the shed is in a neat and tidy condition.

December

Brushing of the square on a regular basis will help to keep disease at bay. Top-off the square, if weather permits, at 25 mm. and spike, if spiker is available. Do not work on the square if too wet or frosty.

January

If weather conditions allow brush square and spike. Do not work on the square if too wet or frosty. Outfield should be checked and cleared of leaves and debris.

February

Brush or drag the square to clear worm casts. Top-off square at about 25 mm. Check for any weeds or disease. Pre-season rolling can commence at the end of the month. Start with a light roller, 5 cwt. hand roller is ideal. Roll in four directions to help consolidation. Do not work on the square if too wet or frosty.

Check that machines have been returned after servicing, and if not start enquiries.

 

March

Brushing or dragging of the square should be done each morning. Rolling with light roller up to heavier roller as consolidation takes place. Roll in four directions as this helps to consolidate evenly. Square can now be cut down to approximately 15 mm.

This is the time of year to square up the square and to plan wicket usage for the coming season.

April

A light scarifying of the grass can be done at this time. Do not damage the surface by scarifying too deeply.

Start to prepare wickets for use early season.

Square-up the square and mark with 'T's' to show where the wickets are positioned on the square.

Brush and cut out wickets, roll with a heavy roller.

Cut outfield twice a week until down to the height of play (about 20mm.)

Mark out boundary.

A light fertiliser can be applied now. Do not use too much Nitrogen as this can give a heavy flush of growth. An autumn and winter fertiliser is good for this feed.

Mark out wickets ready for play.

 

 
 
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