TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,221 Posted January 1 Author Report Share Posted January 1 3 hours ago, Bruegel the Elder said: Understood. Stay safe Older, your Club (and forum) need you! Wouldn’t it be better to just leave the premises locked until needed again to allow any virus to degrade naturally before sterilising so as not to put yourself at risk. The vaccine is so close, it would be a shame to risk anything now! We did that Bruegel, cleaned hard surfaces the day after and let the building air out for 5 days or more. I went in this afternoon and sterilised it all again but this time I did all the soft furnishings as well with the fogger and Covid killer chemicals...ceilings, walls the lot. Link to post Share on other sites
BIG AL 365 Posted January 1 Report Share Posted January 1 2 hours ago, TheolderIgetthebetterIwas said: We did that Bruegel, cleaned hard surfaces the day after and let the building air out for 5 days or more. I went in this afternoon and sterilised it all again but this time I did all the soft furnishings as well with the fogger and Covid killer chemicals...ceilings, walls the lot. 2 hours ago, TheolderIgetthebetterIwas said: We did that Bruegel, cleaned hard surfaces the day after and let the building air out for 5 days or more. I went in this afternoon and sterilised it all again but this time I did all the soft furnishings as well with the fogger and Covid killer chemicals...ceilings, walls the lot. Is it all worth it with hardly anyone using the premises? Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,221 Posted January 1 Author Report Share Posted January 1 1 hour ago, BIG AL said: Is it all worth it with hardly anyone using the premises? When it's done it's done Al. Ready for the grand re-opening, probably 5 years from now...lol Link to post Share on other sites
BIG AL 365 Posted January 1 Report Share Posted January 1 26 minutes ago, TheolderIgetthebetterIwas said: When it's done it's done Al. Ready for the grand re-opening, probably 5 years from now...lol It looks a bit that way! TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Ieuan Gregory 120 Posted January 2 Report Share Posted January 2 taken 17 days but finally got on to the pitch today with the machine. Still a little soft on top, shame there is no football but better safe than sorry TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Mark 165 Posted January 2 Report Share Posted January 2 Nice colour in the pitch Leuan. I take it you had no snow/frost over new year then?? Mine still has some snow and frost on it today, and no sign of going as the temp didn't get high enough. TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Ieuan Gregory 120 Posted January 2 Report Share Posted January 2 last of the slow release hanging around I think Mark. Had frost Friday morning but all gone by lunchtime, influence of the sea no doubt. Oddly enough the 3G was clear of any frost or ice, must be the heat holding properties of the poly, sand and rubber. Stay safe and keep your head down Mark 1 Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,221 Posted January 2 Author Report Share Posted January 2 Same as you Ieuan, got on the pitch after the boxing day game at last, had small frost which was gone by 11:00 leaving a nice heavy dew. Heavy dew is ideal for rolling as it stops mud and worm casts from sticking to the roller and making a mess on the turns. I will always try to catch a good dew when rolling is in the offing. The clean roller showing the wetness from the dew. It's an old gas canister I had made as it is 42" and a good fit for our 40" machine. Remember when rolling after game damage and you have put the larger divots back to slow down to give the roller a chance to do its job, too fast and you won't get the best finish. Also with a weighted roller only use the weight that will do the job...not over weighted. And. Always wait for the damaged grass to stand up before rolling, if you roll to early you press the tillers into the ground and you will lose grass and make mud...remember the old pitches and 2 ton rollers!!!! Next up filling divots with a mix of soil, sand and rubber. You cannot roll out a divot they have to be filled with this mixture to allow the grass to spread into them, just soil alone and it will just compact and stay bare earth for a long time and almost certainly will end up with weed in it. Bruegel the Elder 1 Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,221 Posted January 2 Author Report Share Posted January 2 Ok Mark, that's one advantage of being on the south coast our frosts and snow generally do not last long, inland in a valley your in for a bit of a longer wait than our coast pitches, the south coast will normally be ahead of the north coast when it comes to a thaw. Also Ieuan your 3g will not frost that often as there's no moisture being given of to create a dew that would freeze, they can frost but not that often unless they've had a bit of rain before the temperature drops. I dont think rubber is a great heat holder...think welly boots...bloody freezing things!!! Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,221 Posted January 3 Author Report Share Posted January 3 Followed up the rolling yesterday with the slitter today and got a good depth on the softer ground. This will enable the ground to dry quicker and any rain which has not been forecast at last to drain quicker. Paul and Mark 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Bruegel the Elder 1,074 Posted January 4 Report Share Posted January 4 Looks like wormacide to me! TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 1 Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,221 Posted January 5 Author Report Share Posted January 5 Started the divoting today after the ground thawed out, first real ground frost for a few years where the cold actually got into the ground. Temperature showing just below zero at one inch in the soil, this is as opposed to the usual air/grass frosts we normally get. The grass will have stopped growing at this temperature now. Only another 5,000 or more to go after boxing day...lol Paul 1 Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,221 Posted January 7 Author Report Share Posted January 7 Won't be any work on the pitch again today, none yesterday as frozen solid until 3:00-ish and none for sure today with the temperature down at -5⁰ and a shiny white pitch. Don't even walk on your ground in these conditions, everywhere you walk will crush the grass leaving a trail of damaged grass behind you. Ah well I'll do something in the clubhouse instead. Link to post Share on other sites
Bruegel the Elder 1,074 Posted January 7 Report Share Posted January 7 What you need is a good hairdryer, apparently Alex Ferguson always kept one with him for frozen pitches/players! TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 1 Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,221 Posted January 7 Author Report Share Posted January 7 Had a bit of time after the club so I thought I'd have a look at the mower which has not been starting that well. Found it, the negative lead to the battery was loose, first thing always when you have trouble starting...check your battery leads are tight...started first time. Frost gone but ground rock hard frozen...keep off. Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,221 Posted January 7 Author Report Share Posted January 7 Frost gone but ground rock hard frozen...keep off. But bottom 18 yard box still well frosted under the trees. Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,221 Posted January 8 Author Report Share Posted January 8 Took this picture of the pitch today, a classic ground frost where the ground cools quicker than the air temperature. The ground loses heat quicker than the air so this type of frost can form in those circumstances. Another type is a white frost where the dew forms before temperatures drop and is identified by the frost showing as frozen dew, this normally does not get into the ground. Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,221 Posted January 8 Author Report Share Posted January 8 Still no work on the pitch today, ground temperature up to 1⁰ but the ground still thawing from yesterdays -5⁰...keep off again. Did a bit of a tidy up in the shed later and put the thermometer on a shelf out of the very cold breeze and got this reading...crazy for this time of the year...global warming for you. But the ground temperature had only gone up by 1⁰ so still thawing out with a bit of sloppiness in the top ¾ inch, so at least the thaw is ongoing and will probably be another day before any work (divoting) can continue. Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,221 Posted January 8 Author Report Share Posted January 8 Also spotted this on our neighbouring field, classic damage to the grass from walking on it when frosted. The damage is due to the footprint breaking the frozen cell casing and dropping the osmotic pressure allowing the sap to leak out, eventually they will go brown and the tillers will die, but they will recover when it warms up. Osmotic pressure is what keeps all leaves firm and in shape. Lack of water also causes a drop in this pressure as indicated when plants/grass wilts. Plant sap does not freeze as plants/grasses have a natural inbuilt antifreeze or else the entire plant would die. Some plants will die from freezing due to a lower level of this natural antifreeze. Annuals being a case in point. Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,221 Posted January 10 Author Report Share Posted January 10 Minus 5⁰ again here today and with the pitch well slotted its going to go well into the ground...no divoting again for a few days. Ah well easy time for us grounds peeps...lol. Link to post Share on other sites
Goldeneye 430 Posted January 10 Report Share Posted January 10 Shouldn't take long to get the pitch in tip-top condition Older, if you get your skates on!! 😀 😀 Bruegel the Elder and TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Bruegel the Elder 1,074 Posted January 10 Report Share Posted January 10 2 hours ago, Goldeneye said: Shouldn't take long to get the pitch in tip-top condition Older, if you get your skates on!! 😀 😀 Oh no, it’s bad enough at the Cricket, I do hope that we’re not going to get sledging on the football pitch⚽️🛷❗️ TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Ieuan Gregory 120 Posted January 10 Report Share Posted January 10 not so bad this side Older 2 degrees but top 10mm still frozen TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 1 Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,221 Posted January 10 Author Report Share Posted January 10 1 hour ago, Ieuan Gregory said: not so bad this side Older 2 degrees but top 10mm still frozen We were -5⁰ at the start of the week and it was a good 3 or 4 days to thaw and now we have it again! On the South coast anything with a bit of Easterly in it hits us at about 45⁰ not quite in the face but cold enough to make a difference on the two coasts. We had one day here when I was slitting it was painful just to breathe on the mower....never had that before! And we had a helluva frost here today. 1 hour ago, Ieuan Gregory said: not so bad this side Older 2 degrees but top 10mm still frozen Minus 2⁰ or plus 2⁰! We're a good 2" frozen and probably more than that with the slitting I did, at least it will fracture the lower ground to help when it warms up. Link to post Share on other sites
Bruegel the Elder 1,074 Posted January 10 Report Share Posted January 10 Ever the optimist Older as you preside over your own little patch of tundra! Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,221 Posted January 10 Author Report Share Posted January 10 47 minutes ago, Bruegel the Elder said: Ever the optimist Older as you preside over your own little patch of tundra! Haha...wouldn't play much football on the real Tundra! Although I have had divots as big that...lol. Themanhimself, Bruegel the Elder and Mark 3 Link to post Share on other sites
Ieuan Gregory 120 Posted January 10 Report Share Posted January 10 +2 Dave and still climbing Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,221 Posted January 10 Author Report Share Posted January 10 1 hour ago, Ieuan Gregory said: +2 Dave and still climbing What a difference to us at -5⁰ on this side. Forecast to improve from tonight, but a bit of rain around mid week. Might get some divots done at last Ieuan. Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,221 Posted January 12 Author Report Share Posted January 12 Divoting out the window with this rain and wind...bugger! Rooks are having a good time though lifting all my replaced turf to see if there's anything to eat the little sod's...nature so let them get on with it. So did a bit more in my new shed, blagged a few pallets and knocked up a makeshift work bench...happy days with that. Sorted a bit of my kit out so its easier to find...YAY!!! Got an old physio bench going for a nominal sum if anyone is interested? And a heavy duty brush available as well, seriously heavy duty, takes debris out of the grass lovely and stripes at the same time. Fits any machine just tow it or knock up a quick frame to fit a 3 point linkage. Perfect for topdressing because of the shape, weight and very stiff bristles. Link to post Share on other sites
Bruegel the Elder 1,074 Posted January 12 Report Share Posted January 12 Ah, so the sods are turning the sods looking for breakfast are they? All looking very tidy in the shed, I bet you’re a little treasure to your good lady wife! Am surprised that you’re getting rid of the bench though, unless you’re upgrading to a bed for those days you just need a lie down with a wet flannel over your forehead, a football pitch can be a gruelling mistress! Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,221 Posted January 12 Author Report Share Posted January 12 1 hour ago, Bruegel the Elder said: Ah, so the sods are turning the sods looking for breakfast are they? All looking very tidy in the shed, I bet you’re a little treasure to your good lady wife! Am surprised that you’re getting rid of the bench though, unless you’re upgrading to a bed for those days you just need a lie down with a wet flannel over your forehead, a football pitch can be a gruelling mistress! Haha...she wouldn't agree with that. Lie down...what's that(?) No rest when you do it all...lol. Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,221 Posted January 13 Author Report Share Posted January 13 Here's the follow up to the post on walking on frosted pitches 5 days ago. Classic brown footprints as the tillers have now died, not permanent damage but aesthetically not pleasing. And the rooks keep on going, I think they've lifted every divot I had replaced from boxing day, in one corner of the pitch I counted 61 divots pulled out! I know I'm an anorak...lol. it looks like there's been a game on it! Bruegel the Elder 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Bruegel the Elder 1,074 Posted January 13 Report Share Posted January 13 You must have some furloughed players who could do a Worzal Gummidge for you! Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,221 Posted January 13 Author Report Share Posted January 13 1 hour ago, Bruegel the Elder said: You must have some furloughed players who could do a Worzal Gummidge for you! Not in lockdown Breugel...you trying to get me fined! Link to post Share on other sites
Bruegel the Elder 1,074 Posted Thursday at 10:10 Report Share Posted Thursday at 10:10 Come on Older, first class exercise that, scarecrowing around the pitch at the double! TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 1 Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,221 Posted 7 hours ago Author Report Share Posted 7 hours ago This rain is what is known as "stair rods" ridiculously wet here tonight. Taken from the roof camera overlooking the pitch!!! Link to post Share on other sites
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