TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,383 Posted February 10 Author Report Share Posted February 10 6 hours ago, TheolderIgetthebetterIwas said: Don't need it like that Bruegel, they only really cause bad damage if your field is shallow rooted, other than that not really bad enough to cause concern. Just irritating really. Nearly got on the pitch today until I spotted this. Plenty of ice around from last night so that finished that. Did manage to cut, roll and spike the warm up area though, not so frozen as the pitch! Link to post Share on other sites
Mark 175 Posted February 12 Report Share Posted February 12 Managed to get onto both pitches at Vogue Park this week, my god hasn't the easterly wind dried the grounds out. It was dam cold but so lovely to be out on the machinery again. Even uncovered the mowing deck and put it over the pitches to tidy them up. Really pleased with how it's looking and spring is just around the corner. 1st picture is 10th February 2017, second picture is 10th February 2021 Paul and TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 2 Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,383 Posted February 12 Author Report Share Posted February 12 1 hour ago, Mark said: Managed to get onto both pitches at Vogue Park this week, my god hasn't the easterly wind dried the grounds out. It was dam cold but so lovely to be out on the machinery again. Even uncovered the mowing deck and put it over the pitches to tidy them up. Really pleased with how it's looking and spring is just around the corner. 1st picture is 10th February 2017, second picture is 10th February 2021 Looking good Mark. See the difference that couple of years sanding makes, plus no football of course. I could have got out there this week but sod that in this Easterly wind...painful just breathing in! Link to post Share on other sites
Mark 175 Posted February 13 Report Share Posted February 13 Yes no football is the main factor Dave. Fairly easy with no one messing it up 😂. However I would much rather see people coming through the gates also enjoying it. Easterly was dam cold but so thankful that us groundsman took delivery of our 5 new jackets before Christmas, keep me nice and warm. Paid for with our money for winning grounds team of the year, plus a top up from club funds. Please note no shorts were worm this week whilst out on the tractor!!😂😂 Hope everyone is safe and well and not to bored! Won't be long until we are all allowed out and everyone can get down to their local club and help with all those jobs, I reckon players will be queued out the gates to help do something!!🤣 Dave Deacon and Paul 2 Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,383 Posted February 13 Author Report Share Posted February 13 Love it...if the wind catches that girt big hood...you'll be gone up over the trees...lol MattP, Paul and Mark 3 Link to post Share on other sites
Postman Pat 777 Posted February 13 Report Share Posted February 13 Never make a postman mark, wearing trousers you’ll end up like Mark Bray😎 Mark 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Paul 590 Posted February 16 Report Share Posted February 16 On 13/02/2021 at 11:58, Mark said: Yes no football is the main factor Dave. Fairly easy with no one messing it up 😂. However I would much rather see people coming through the gates also enjoying it. Easterly was dam cold but so thankful that us groundsman took delivery of our 5 new jackets before Christmas, keep me nice and warm. Paid for with our money for winning grounds team of the year, plus a top up from club funds. Please note no shorts were worm this week whilst out on the tractor!!😂😂 Hope everyone is safe and well and not to bored! Won't be long until we are all allowed out and everyone can get down to their local club and help with all those jobs, I reckon players will be queued out the gates to help do something!!🤣 Can the club stretch to new socks? TheolderIgetthebetterIwas and Mark 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Mark 175 Posted February 16 Report Share Posted February 16 I've requested new socks!!😂😂 so glad I got on the pitches as they are water logged again now. Things are warming up so let's hope it dries up soon and we can get back out there. How is everyone else's looking? Paul 1 Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,383 Posted February 16 Author Report Share Posted February 16 41 minutes ago, Mark said: I've requested new socks!!😂😂 so glad I got on the pitches as they are water logged again now. Things are warming up so let's hope it dries up soon and we can get back out there. How is everyone else's looking? Walked over our pitch today, not a hope in hell of doing anything after last night's rain and loads more on the way...endless. But the grass is quietly growing, so a bonus there, good job it's slow or we'll end up with a Hayfield! Paul 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Paul 590 Posted February 16 Report Share Posted February 16 Everytime it drys up it then pours down so at the moment its just been left. No point risking it at the moment. Maybe Thursday if the wind drys the place up quickly. Else itll be next week at some point maybe. Got to be a dry week soon surly. Been saying that for over 2 months now. 🤣 TheolderIgetthebetterIwas and Mark 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,383 Posted February 16 Author Report Share Posted February 16 1 hour ago, Paul said: Everytime it drys up it then pours down so at the moment its just been left. No point risking it at the moment. Maybe Thursday if the wind drys the place up quickly. Else itll be next week at some point maybe. Got to be a dry week soon surly. Been saying that for over 2 months now. 🤣 Wouldn't have been much football played with these conditions, probably play one game and lose the one a week after if not two! Weather seems to be this way every winter now...what chance groundsmen. Paul 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Bruegel the Elder 1,175 Posted February 17 Report Share Posted February 17 16 hours ago, TheolderIgetthebetterIwas said: Wouldn't have been much football played with these conditions, probably play one game and lose the one a week after if not two! Weather seems to be this way every winter now...what chance groundsmen. Global warming Older!🌍🌦 Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,383 Posted February 17 Author Report Share Posted February 17 Just now, Bruegel the Elder said: Global warming Older!🌍🌦 Absolutely no doubt about that, pitch just starting to flood again with this rain! Paul 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Ieuan Gregory 130 Posted February 17 Report Share Posted February 17 half inch rain this side, since midnight on North coast and more to come. Going back over the rainfall here since 2011,from September to March the lowest rainfall was 7 inches 2016/17 and the highest 21 inches 14/15. The last two winters have been the wettest since 2014.Surprisingly the year on year average per year. has been pretty consistent between 24 and 30 inches, each year. Seems to even itself out with wet winters and dry summers or vice versa. However that is only for this part of the North coast. Keep a smile on your face Dave think of all the divots we haven't had to put back in! TheolderIgetthebetterIwas and Mark 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Paul 590 Posted February 17 Report Share Posted February 17 Came up on facebook memories today that 3 years ago today we cut our pitch for the first time in 3 months!! The rain hasnt stopped here all day so forget this week. Roll on March. 🤣 And your right i dont think we would have seen much football either. Not a chance. Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,383 Posted February 17 Author Report Share Posted February 17 3 hours ago, Ieuan Gregory said: half inch rain this side, since midnight on North coast and more to come. Going back over the rainfall here since 2011,from September to March the lowest rainfall was 7 inches 2016/17 and the highest 21 inches 14/15. The last two winters have been the wettest since 2014.Surprisingly the year on year average per year. has been pretty consistent between 24 and 30 inches, each year. Seems to even itself out with wet winters and dry summers or vice versa. However that is only for this part of the North coast. Keep a smile on your face Dave think of all the divots we haven't had to put back in! I haven't divoted the pitch from boxing day yet! Link to post Share on other sites
Bruegel the Elder 1,175 Posted February 18 Report Share Posted February 18 16 hours ago, TheolderIgetthebetterIwas said: I haven't divoted the pitch from boxing day yet! Typical! Leaving the worms to do all the work! TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Paul 590 Posted February 18 Report Share Posted February 18 Finally got the chance to get the machine out and cut the pitch. First time since early December!! Now hopefully we can push on a bit. Going to need to tweak the units for a better cut at some point. I think id prefere a Dennis push mower to get that really sharp cut. Just need 6k!! Mark 1 Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,383 Posted February 18 Author Report Share Posted February 18 34 minutes ago, Paul said: Finally got the chance to get the machine out and cut the pitch. First time since early December!! Now hopefully we can push on a bit. Going to need to tweak the units for a better cut at some point. I think id prefere a Dennis push mower to get that really sharp cut. Just need 6k!! Got the mower out! No way here with the rain yesterday, wouldn't even walk on ours now, need a week to dry out here at least. Looking good though buddy, 6k for a push mower! You mean a Dennis G860(?) Cracking mower, used to have one but 3+ hours to cut and box off mind. Link to post Share on other sites
Paul 590 Posted February 18 Report Share Posted February 18 We had alot of wind which really helped dry the pitch out. Forcast awful for the next few days so pleased to get it done. Yeah the Dennis G860 looks the business. Lovely cut. Be ideal for a day off. Good exercise and would look even better. Alot of money though. Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,383 Posted February 18 Author Report Share Posted February 18 34 minutes ago, Paul said: We had alot of wind which really helped dry the pitch out. Forcast awful for the next few days so pleased to get it done. Yeah the Dennis G860 looks the business. Lovely cut. Be ideal for a day off. Good exercise and would look even better. Alot of money though. It is the business alright, if you get one get the cassette's with it as well. The scarifying one is a lovely bit of kit but well over the 1K mark. Link to post Share on other sites
Bruegel the Elder 1,175 Posted February 18 Report Share Posted February 18 1 hour ago, Paul said: We had alot of wind which really helped dry the pitch out. Forcast awful for the next few days so pleased to get it done. Yeah the Dennis G860 looks the business. Lovely cut. Be ideal for a day off. Good exercise and would look even better. Alot of money though. £6K, gosh, that’s almost as much as a player! Mind you, who needs a goalkeeper anyway! Go for it, Vice-chairman will sign it off! Paul 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Paul 590 Posted February 18 Report Share Posted February 18 This is alot cheaper. Wondered 8f this would be man enough for the job. Maybe not the whole pitch but large areas that need the extra tlc. Any thoughts? Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,383 Posted February 18 Author Report Share Posted February 18 23 hours ago, Paul said: This is alot cheaper. Wondered 8f this would be man enough for the job. Maybe not the whole pitch but large areas that need the extra tlc. Any thoughts? Way too small buddy, it is to narrow and short the other way, it would pick up every little lump, bump and undulation. Remember with a front rollered cylinder you have to cut really regularly, when I used one on our pitch it would be normal to cut 3 times a week. The Dennis is a top mower with a fine cut but you need a lot of free time to maintain a pitch with one. There are occasionally second hand ones on Ebay but still not cheap. Paul 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Bruegel the Elder 1,175 Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 15 hours ago, Paul said: This is alot cheaper. Wondered 8f this would be man enough for the job. Maybe not the whole pitch but large areas that need the extra tlc. Any thoughts? Amos’s horses are cheaper still, and they fertilise as they go! TheolderIgetthebetterIwas and Paul 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Paul 590 Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 4 hours ago, Bruegel the Elder said: Amos’s horses are cheaper still, and they fertilise as they go! They cant eat in straight lines though. 👀 Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,383 Posted February 19 Author Report Share Posted February 19 31 minutes ago, Paul said: They cant eat in straight lines though. 👀 LMFAO Paul 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Bruegel the Elder 1,175 Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 1 hour ago, Paul said: They cant eat in straight lines though. 👀 See, you’ve got the answer at the end of your sentence..........Blinkers! Hay ho Dobbin........away! Paul 1 Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,383 Posted February 20 Author Report Share Posted February 20 Blimey what a couple of days that was! Rain, rain and tons of the stuff, flooded all around the ground as well as the pitch, probably need 5 days or more before any machinery will be on the pitch now. But with temperatures around 10⁰ all week the spring flush is away now. Link to post Share on other sites
Bruegel the Elder 1,175 Posted February 20 Report Share Posted February 20 We’re overdue a monsoon season Older. Almost semi-tropical! It’s a jungle out there⛈🦍🌳🐆🌴🦧☀️️(or will be soon)❗️ Link to post Share on other sites
Mark 175 Posted February 20 Report Share Posted February 20 Same at VP, went down there this morning at the dugouts are flooded with water, lakes in places I've never seen them. Pitches absoutly saturated, will need a good 5 days. Forecast looking better this week, let's hope it is not changed!🤞 TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 1 Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,383 Posted February 21 Author Report Share Posted February 21 What to do? Raining again for the last 6 hours. Is everyone getting this? Link to post Share on other sites
Bruegel the Elder 1,175 Posted February 21 Report Share Posted February 21 I was dozing a couple of hours ago, The cat came in and sat in my lap. I thought I’d wet myself🛋🐈🌧❗️ TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 1 Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,383 Posted February 21 Author Report Share Posted February 21 1 hour ago, Bruegel the Elder said: I was dozing a couple of hours ago, The cat came in and sat in my lap. I thought I’d wet myself🛋🐈🌧❗️ Haha, and I've just took my dog out...still thumping down here...I'm going to Australia...tomorrow! Bruegel the Elder 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Paul 590 Posted February 22 Report Share Posted February 22 Since i managed a quick cut on Thursday its not stopped raining. Friday Saturday and Sunday weve had some really heavy rain. Another spell of dry weather needed. Looking like from Thursday onwards were in for a spell of better weather. Got a good chance to dry out and get some grass cut hopefully. Mark and TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Bruegel the Elder 1,175 Posted February 23 Report Share Posted February 23 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU AS INTERESTING YOU DO YOU’VE KEPT US SANE THROUGH THE PANDEMIC HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU 💥🍸🍾🎂1️⃣ YEAR OLD TODAY🎂🍾🥂💥 NEARLY 888 POSTS (certainly will be before the day is out) and congratulations to Older, the instigator with nearly 500 gems of knowledge. Must be some records on there! TheolderIgetthebetterIwas, Mark and Paul 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,383 Posted February 23 Author Report Share Posted February 23 20 minutes ago, Bruegel the Elder said: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU AS INTERESTING YOU DO YOU’VE KEPT US SANE THROUGH THE PANDEMIC HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU 💥🍸🍾🎂1️⃣ YEAR OLD TODAY🎂🍾🥂💥 NEARLY 888 POSTS (certainly will be before the day is out) and congratulations to Older, the instigator with nearly 500 gems of knowledge. Must be some records on there! Well thank you Bruegal. Not just me though is it, thanks to everyone who contributes the thread, all the other grounds peeps who love working on their grounds and share their knowledge. Well done to every poster from me. And yes...we have gone full circle on a years maintenance. A great shame there has been little football played but hoping for a better year from the virus to the weather. Thank you all. Mark and Paul 2 Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,383 Posted February 23 Author Report Share Posted February 23 A picture of the culprit that started this thread a year ago. Paul and Themanhimself 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Deacon 0 Posted February 24 Report Share Posted February 24 5 hours ago, TheolderIgetthebetterIwas said: A picture of the culprit that started this thread a year ago. Harmless enough looking critter! Who would thought it! Link to post Share on other sites
Paul 590 Posted Thursday at 21:39 Report Share Posted Thursday at 21:39 Lovely day today for it. Nets down. Some how i need to get them washed. Anyone got any tips? Machine wash or dump in a bath of boiling hot water? The grass has certainly grown in the last week. That first cut sets it going im convinced. Day off tomorrow. Time to get a few more jobs done. Mark 1 Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,383 Posted Thursday at 23:16 Author Report Share Posted Thursday at 23:16 1 hour ago, Paul said: Lovely day today for it. Nets down. Some how i need to get them washed. Anyone got any tips? Machine wash or dump in a bath of boiling hot water? The grass has certainly grown in the last week. That first cut sets it going im convinced. Day off tomorrow. Time to get a few more jobs done. Nets down(?) They're looking at some type of cup competition aren't they(?) Our league is still/maybe looking at finishing the season up until the end of June!!! No changing rooms, showers, bar and so on...how the hell is that football? Anyway...you could try dropping the nets into a bath of window net soak, transforms them back to white again...worth a shot maybe. Looking at cutting/slitting here on Saturday, still on soft side here in a few places, but grass moving on a bit of a pace now...and the old weeds showing up now too. Here we go again...yippee. Paul and Mark 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Paul 590 Posted Thursday at 23:46 Report Share Posted Thursday at 23:46 Weve been meaning to take them down for months but its rained and rained. They need a good wash. If football returns then they can go back up. Once any dew has cleared tomorrow ill give it a cut and tidy around. Spectator areas are ready to cut tidy. Light evenings on their way should start to be busy again. Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,383 Posted Friday at 08:23 Author Report Share Posted Friday at 08:23 8 hours ago, Paul said: Weve been meaning to take them down for months but its rained and rained. They need a good wash. If football returns then they can go back up. Once any dew has cleared tomorrow ill give it a cut and tidy around. Spectator areas are ready to cut tidy. Light evenings on their way should start to be busy again. Rain...what rain(?) Lol. I'm planning to cut and slit Saturday as well but will brush the dew off early doors a couple of hours beforehand to give a nice dry cut. You don't brush your grass before cutting (?) I will always do it this time of year, about a 35 minute job. Link to post Share on other sites
Mrgreen 80 Posted Friday at 18:56 Report Share Posted Friday at 18:56 Within the finer turf industry, golf greens for example. Surface moisture is removed 365 days of the year. Done both for playability, but more importantly plant health. Many turf fungal diseases are encouraged and spread through water. Usually done as a side effect of mowing (daily most of the year) On none mowing days, turf is either brushed with a giant draft excluder called a big dewy, or a long fibre glass pole is used with a wide side to side “swishing motion” I believe an added side effect of a stiff brushing or swishing, is a thickening off the sward. A footy pitch could be done with a hose pipe, with a person on each end. TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Paul 590 Posted Friday at 19:21 Report Share Posted Friday at 19:21 I dont normally worry about knocking off the dew. Just leave it to clear. Maybe need to start doing that sometimes. Spent the morning cleaning machinery up and then got a cut in after dinner. Not looking bad but i feel it could be a bit shorter. Maybe im being to fussy. Just nice having the sun out and not having to worry about any rain. Link to post Share on other sites
Mark 175 Posted Friday at 20:38 Report Share Posted Friday at 20:38 Looking good Paul, defo invest in a brush mate, I got one made by a fabricator about 10 years ago, still good now, it's a tow behind but now looking to modify into 3 point linkage. Brilliant for putting stripes in quickly on a match days (if grass is short), dries out grass so that machinery is not covered in grass after cutting and as you know, I expect, it has loads of other benefits around infections, air around the base of the plant etc. We designed it so that the brush heads are just screwed on and screwed off, we replace them every year for about £20-£25 and we have a new brush. The brush is 9ft wide, exactly 3yards for obvious reasons! Paul 1 Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,383 Posted Friday at 21:27 Author Report Share Posted Friday at 21:27 2 hours ago, Mrgreen said: Within the finer turf industry, golf greens for example. Surface moisture is removed 365 days of the year. Done both for playability, but more importantly plant health. Many turf fungal diseases are encouraged and spread through water. Usually done as a side effect of mowing (daily most of the year) On none mowing days, turf is either brushed with a giant draft excluder called a big dewy, or a long fibre glass pole is used with a wide side to side “swishing motion” I believe an added side effect of a stiff brushing or swishing, is a thickening off the sward. A footy pitch could be done with a hose pipe, with a person on each end. Good info there again Mrgreen, golf greens are a million miles from football pitches...really intense maintenance. Dew certainly can spread fungal attacks and can be a real problem, regular brushing will help to ease the fungal spread. Many years ago I used to go to the pitch and pull a heavy rope across the pitch before I went to work, then cut it in my flexi dinner two hours! Sometimes everyday...my crazy days...lol. And of course brushing stands the grass up for a better cut. Link to post Share on other sites
Paul 590 Posted Friday at 21:29 Report Share Posted Friday at 21:29 Thanks Mark. Definitely worth having one. I shall look into getting one. Good to use if you need to get cutting early on a match day. Mark 1 Link to post Share on other sites
TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 4,383 Posted Friday at 21:33 Author Report Share Posted Friday at 21:33 50 minutes ago, Mark said: Looking good Paul, defo invest in a brush mate, I got one made by a fabricator about 10 years ago, still good now, it's a tow behind but now looking to modify into 3 point linkage. Brilliant for putting stripes in quickly on a match days (if grass is short), dries out grass so that machinery is not covered in grass after cutting and as you know, I expect, it has loads of other benefits around infections, air around the base of the plant etc. We designed it so that the brush heads are just screwed on and screwed off, we replace them every year for about £20-£25 and we have a new brush. The brush is 9ft wide, exactly 3yards for obvious reasons! Hello Mark, I use much heavier brushes than you're using with very stiff bristles, really brushes the grass and brings up a bit of thatch each time. One of my brushes is also adjustable to lighten or tighten down the brush...good kit, but expensive! Link to post Share on other sites
Mark 175 Posted Friday at 21:33 Report Share Posted Friday at 21:33 1 minute ago, Paul said: Thanks Mark. Definitely worth having one. I shall look into getting one. Good to use if you need to get cutting early on a match day. Yeah honest it didn't cost that much and it's such a satisfying job to do and takes 30-40 mins in two directions. Now if you got to pick between brushing and cleaning off wet grass I know what I would chose. Plus from brushing you get all the other benefits. I have also taken the brush heads off and used as a levelling tool to move and level of a pile of soil. TheolderIgetthebetterIwas 1 Link to post Share on other sites
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