Maintaining the pristine finish of a high-end cricket ground isn’t an easy task, especially given that pitches are often in use for long periods of time during the spring and summer months. A well-managed pitch will ensure a fast, true and, most importantly, fair bounce, which is absolutely vital in cricket.
To discover the secret to maintaining your pitch’s excellent condition, take a look at this handy maintenance calendar from Sportsmark Group Ltd.
January
Brush the pitch’s surface to remove dew and reduce the likelihood of disease.
Keep mowing to a minimum but don’t let the grass grow too long, as it can become weak. The frequency will depend on the weather and the pitch’s condition.
Carry out some light aeration work. Heavier aeration is an option, but take care not to overdo it on wetter soils.
February
If your season starts in April, it’s an idea to start rolling in February. Otherwise, leave it until March.
Get your soil sampled for nutrients so you can start preparing the right fertiliser.
Take time to assess the presence of weeds, pests and disease and apply the correct solution wherever necessary.
March
Continue your usual brushing routine on a regular basis.
Lower your mow height to 18mm, but avoid taking more than a third of the grass height off in a single mow.
Mark the areas used for squares with line-marking equipment.
Start pre-season rolling, if you haven’t already.
April
Early April
Continue with mowing, squaring, brushing and rolling work, but kick it up a gear to ensure the pitch is ready for the first games of the season.
Late April
Reduce mowing height to 10-12mm.
Ensure the irrigation system is in working order and is ready for use.
May
Closely monitor the pitch, adjusting maintenance routines where necessary.
Keep an eye out for weeds, pests and diseases appearing.
Continue brushing and mowing, as always.
June
Keep on top of irrigation and everyday maintenance tasks throughout the playing season.
Once the season has begun, it’s important to assess the wickets’ condition.
Continue your brushing, sweeping, scarifying and aeration routines to keep the grass looking good and performing well.
July
Apply a slow-release fertiliser to keep the pitch well-fed throughout the playing season.
Continue with general maintenance as in previous months.
August
Continue with general maintenance, e.g. moving, scarifying, aeration, brushing, and so on.
September
Renovation becomes the focus of maintenance from now on.
Increase your brushing frequency – dew on the grass can increase the chances of disease.
Scarification and feeding should still be high on the to-do list.
Address any necessary repairs or reseeds, particularly in areas like squares and wickets.
Adopt a heavier aeration method, such as spiking or coring.
October
October is a great time to test your soils again, so you can address soil changes in time for the following season.
Rolling can be resumed.
November
Grass growth should slow down, so mowing should become less frequent.
Carry out repairs on other features of your grounds, such as painting your posts.
Continue brushing as usual.
December
Continue brushing, and mow the pitch occasionally.
If you’re in need of grounds maintenance equipment, Sportsmark Group Ltd can help. As a leading supplier of groundsman’s equipment, we pride ourselves on providing high-quality, reliable and affordable products throughout the UK. Contact us today for more information.