©2016 Shanklin Bowling Club, Shanklin
ESSENTIAL AUTUMN GREEN MAINTENANCE
Days of work go into preparing the green for winter. First the green is cut several
different ways and then verti cut and deep scarified at least 6 times different ways
across the green from corner to corner. After all the grass cuttings have been removed
it is time to spike the green all over( see picture). Using a Sisis Dart aerator, the green
keeper is slit tining the green to a depth of approximately 4 inches using flat type tines
with knife like edges. Using this type of tine will, improve drainage, reduce compaction
and thatch build up, it will also encourage strong grass roots by pruning them.
Slit
tining
the
green
will
take
the
best
part
of
a
day,
after
which
the
green
will
be
allowed
to
settle
for
a
day
or
2
before
going
over
the
green
with
another
type
of
aerator.
This
aerator
is
used
to
place
thousands
of
tiny
insertions
to
a
depth
of
approximately
10mm
which
will
aid
the
germination
of
the
grass
seed
when
over
seeding
the
green.
Finally,
those
areas
showing
signs
of
greater
stress,
mainly
around
the green edges will be top dressed to further assist seed germination.
All
this
work,
together
with
a
warm
Autumn
will
help
the
green
to
recover
from
the
rigours
and
pressures
of
the
extreme
summer
weather
and
an
extensive
bowling
season. Carrying out this essential maintenance now will pay dividends next spring.
Even
though
the
green
has
now
been
decommissioned,
work
to
maintain
the
green
will go on through the winter.
Sweeping
the
green
every
day
to
reduce
disease,
mowing
once
a
month,
spiking
the
green
monthly
with
the
Sisis
aerator
fitted
with
pencil
tines
and
spraying
when
necessary to eradicate moss build up.
Bunny Warwick, Shanklin Bowling Club’s
green keeper carrying out essential autumn green maintenance.