Pitch update

Any experts on here?

Pitch has been amazing over last season, why dig it up and start again? Why not try thicken / enhance the existing turf?
 
Seasidestevo71 said:
Any experts on here?

Pitch has been amazing over last season, why dig it up and start again? Why not try thicken / enhance the existing turf?
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In layman's terms. You feed the pitch to a point that it needs to diet. That's where the fraise mower comes in. Over the season modern pitches use fertiliser all year, artificial lights and its not natural for the UK to keep grass growing in the winter. If you don't remove the top surface and turn over a compacted soil base then the following season the pitch will be susceptible to disease and poor grass and the organic matter caused by winter growth will breed bacteria, fungus and won't get the same photosynthesis process as the grass will be weaker.
 
groundsman said:
In layman's terms. You feed the pitch to a point that it needs to diet. That's where the fraise mower comes in. Over the season modern pitches use fertiliser all year, artificial lights and its not natural for the UK to keep grass growing in the winter. If you don't remove the top surface and turn over a compacted soil base then the following season the pitch will be susceptible to disease and poor grass and the organic matter caused by winter growth will breed bacteria, fungus and won't get the same photosynthesis process as the grass will be weaker.
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In that case, could it not just have been scarified, seeded and heavily watered?

And what can I do about the xxxxxxx ants’ nests that are causing havoc?! Powder or solution…or ant eater?
 
Thepoolaregoingup said:
In that case, could it not just have been scarified, seeded and heavily watered?

And what can I do about the xxxxxxx ants’ nests that are causing havoc?! Powder or solution…or ant eater?
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That's half a job. Remove it all.
Also to get a new fertiliser plan it's easier to start from the beginning. Nutrient and pH levels are consistent each year. This produces consistent pitches which is why they are all usually excellent after a full season.
Ants I haven't a clue. Google it. Too many killer products out lawed now.
 
groundsman said:
That's half a job. Remove it all.
Also to get a new fertiliser plan it's easier to start from the beginning. Nutrient and pH levels are consistent each year. This produces consistent pitches which is why they are all usually excellent after a full season.
Ants I haven't a clue. Google it. Too many killer products out lawed now.
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Kettle of boiling water. 👍
 
Pretty sure last season when they put the synthetic fibre in at either end of the pitch there was talk about seeing how it worked and then looking at doing the whole pitch later down the line.

Also throughout the season I’ve noticed the ground staff mentioning how the volume of water that can essentially drain through the pitch in a given time has improved year on year - yet they keep looking to improve.

I think it’s a case of continuous improvement and I think the budget and resources are in place to allow it. I think we just still fine it a bit alien as a concept as it looks immaculate and we have crap to compare it to over the years. Clearly the experts think they can get it even better.

The guy that went from Blackpool to Real Madrid via Arsenal proved the BR pitch can be amongst the very best. I imagine if you’re in the industry that’s pretty inspiring to think about and probably helps drive the constant efforts for improvements
 
Thepoolaregoingup said:
In that case, could it not just have been scarified, seeded and heavily watered?

And what can I do about the xxxxxxx ants’ nests that are causing havoc?! Powder or solution…or ant eater?
Click to expand...

Many species of birds eat ants as part of their diets regularly. Birds that have a particular fondness for ants include; woodpeckers, pigeons, pheasants, sparrows, starlings, hummingbirds, crows, wild turkeys, antbirds, wrens and grouse. Birds that consume ants less frequently include; little owls, robins, blackbirds and cardinals.
A flock of wild turkeys and you’re sorted 😁
But seriously sparrows and starlings go mental for ants
 
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voyeur said:
Maybe he was Tapped.
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HomerSimpson22.gif
 
What were those things we used to have when the Oyston's were in charge which were blamed for the destruction of the pitch!
Funny how disgusting club destroying pests left at the same time as they did!
 
HappyasLarry said:
What were those things we used to have when the Oyston's were in charge which were blamed for the destruction of the pitch!
Funny how disgusting club destroying pests left at the same time as they did!
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Exceot one parasite managed to cling on.
 
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