April Rugby Diary 2004
By Laurence Gale
Most of the tasks detailed can be undertaken within a limited budget. Local conditions and circumstances will need to be taken into account.
If any members are undertaking any specific work not detailed, please let us know by adding a comment in the section below the diary.
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April tasks for Rugby |
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Task |
Frequency |
Reason |
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Aeration |
When conditions allow |
Hand or machine aeration to aid surface drainage, (varying depths of penetration to prevent the development of a soil pan). |
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Brushing / sweeping |
Daily / weekly |
To remove dew and remove surface debris. Using a brush or a SISIS quadraplay will restore levels and produce striping or banding aesthetics. |
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Disease |
Daily / weekly |
Keep and eye on fungal disease attack, and use approved fungicides to treat infected areas. |
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Divoting |
Immediately after game |
To repair scars and surface damage. |
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Drainage |
Weekly |
Inspect drainage outfalls, channels and ditches. Ensure that they are working. |
| Fertiliser programme | If grass shows signs of stress (weak growth, discoloured) |
Fertiliser treatment and turf tonic 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.
Most grounds staff will be applying a spring / summer N P K fertiliser, perhaps something like a 9/ 7 / 7 will effectively get the grass moving during April, then towards the end of April early May applying a slow release fertiliser to see you through June / July. However the choice of materials and how well it works can be dependant on many factors, soil type, weather, with moisture and and air temperature being the catalyst for growth. |
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Frost and snow |
As required |
April weather is generally still very unpredictable, usually resulting in April showers of rain, sleet and snow. Keep people and equipment off playing surfaces when covered in frost and snow. |
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Harrowing / raking |
When conditions allow |
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Irrigation equipment |
Weekly |
Inspect installations for leaks. There may be a need to irrigate during any renovation programmes, as air temperatures and day light hours are getting longer, increasing the likelihood of the ground drying out. |
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Litter / debris |
Daily / Weekly |
Inspect and remove debris from playing surface litter or any wind blown tree debris. Litter, twigs and leaves. |
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Machinery (Repairs and maintenance) |
Daily / Weekly |
Inspect and clean machinery after use, service and repair damaged machinery. |
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Mowing |
As required |
To maintain winter sward height 50-75mm. Frequency of mowing will increase to maintain sward height as soil and air temperatures begin to rise initiating grass growth. |
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Post match renovation |
After matches |
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Pre match inspections |
As required |
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| Seed bare & worn areas | When conditions allow |
Seeding of sparse or bare areas can be carried out, the rise in temperatures will help germination. Use germination sheets to aid this process but remove the sheets regularly to check for diseases. Remember that without good seed to soil contact the operation is useless.
Ensure you use new seed as old material may not give you the required germination rates. |
| Soil tests | Ideally once or twice a year, or as required. | If not already done, April is still an ideal time to obtain a soil analysis of the pitch measuring for soil Ph, nutrients levels and organic matter content, which are seen as good indicators of the condition of the soil. Once you have this information you will be in a better position to plan your seasons feeding and maintenance programmes. |
| Spring Renovation | As required |
Depending on fixtures list, some facilities may be able to start their end of season early. In fact some universities and schools may have a change in sport switching from winter to summer sports. This is usually done in the Easter or half term breaks.
Renovation will involve a number of tasks, scarification, aeration , overseeding and fertilising and topdressing: Click here to see Spring Renovation article. Generally the level of renovation will be dependant on budgets, whatever the club / facility can afford. Ideally the pitch will be multi cored / aerated to relieve compaction followed by overseeding (applying seed at rate of 35gm2, this should be done in 3-5 passes in different directions). Pre seeding fertiliser may be applied to help the germination of seed on completion of these tasks. Top dressing materials are applied using selected rootzone or sand materials. It is best to evaluate your soil type, getting an analysis of the soil, enabling a good match of materials for your site. Application rates for top dressing materials usually range between 60-120 tonnes per pitch.
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Top dressing Sand / rootzone materials |
As required |
Localised spreading of top dressings to repair divots and scars of turf surface. |
