Module 8:

8.4 Creating an annual maintenance schedule

8.4.6 Notes and assumptions made in the schedules

1. Mowing: The aim is to ensure the grass height doesn’t exceed the grade 3 standard and that than one-third, or close to this figure, of grass height is removed at any one time. The values for number of cuts are based on the figures given in the earlier annual mowing regime table. The timing for mowing is for a ride-on or tractor operated mower, with clippings let fly.
2. Aeration: This will be to a medium depth of about 100 - 200mm. No indication is given to the type of aeration: solid tine, slit tine, chisel tine, hollow-tine, air injection, or other.
3. Combination tool: This will often be a combination of more than one implement, with a maximum of 4, on the frame: typically, a metal rake, drag brush, surface aerator (to 50mm depth), spiked roller (to 50mm depth), or light firming roller. In a more detailed schedule, the expected combinations of use might be identified on a separate line.
4. Line marking: Each game will be overmarked in full prior to its start. In practice where two games occur on the same day then this might not take place, maybe just some selected overmarking of a few worn line areas. No strings are put down to aid line marking in this example.
5. Chain harrow: For routine maintenance this will mostly be the smooth side down, especially if dried earthworm casting is a problem, but for light scarification purposes the tine side down might be used.
6. Watering of established sward: This is not for renovation to encourage seed germination and initial establishment, but for an established sward. Where wear has been limited and only a light renovation has been carried out then this line could be used for that purpose as well. For this example, we have determined that half-way through June is the time when we have decided that seedling turf becomes a more established sward and have therefore included watering for both of these rows.
7. Pre-match checks: This is to make sure the pitch is safe to play on and that it has been set out in accordance with the laws of the game. It excludes mowing, line marking and putting up nets and flags.
8. Post-match repairs: This could be anything from a few divot repairs, to tidying up by mowing, sweeping or vacuuming the pitch, and patching depressions and small worn areas with a light top-dressing and seed.
9. Fertiliser application: There is no indication of given of type of fertiliser, nutrient content or application rate. This detail would be given as part of a work programme.
10. Localised sanding: This would be carried out along with a light hand forking of the area. Sand would mostly be broadcast over the area to help dry out the surface, which might otherwise be quite muddy if wet.

11. Setting out the pitch, will for many clubs just be carried out at the beginning of the playing season: This might be one or two weeks before a planned game to ensure everything is all correctly aligned and set out. Once it has been squared up and marked out then it is just remarked for each game.
12. Erect / take down posts: These will probably be put out at the start of the season and then left up, only being taken down after the last game. Although they could be taken down after each game and then put back up for the following game if that was deemed the most suitable action for a particular pitch.
13. Scarify (heavy duty): This might also be the use of a chain harrow with tines down, especially where a heavy duty mechanical scarifier is not available.
14. Aerate: This would most likely be deeper spiking, being anything from 100-300mm in depth.
15. Main top-dressing: The full dressing might be split into two half rate applications, maybe a couple of weeks apart, potentially being done in two adjacent months.
16. Overseeding: The main application of seed during the year.
17. Fertiliser: This might just be before actual renovation starts, maybe one-week before.
18. Light watering of seeds & seedlings: This is after the pitch has been renovation and is to encourage germination and initial seed establishment. This line isn’t for when the sward has become well established.
19. Post renovation top-dressing: Occasionally the initial renovation has not produced as good an evenness as desired. This might be due to some damage occurring on the pitch, settling of sand-gravel slit channels, or where grass seed has not established adequately.
20. Localised grass seeding: Additional overseeding might be needed in areas where coverage isn’t as good as it should be, following the renovation works. This might be due to poor germination, drought, vandalism, disease or pest damage, or similar.

So, for any of the quarterly maintenance schedules refer back to this page for clarification of any assumptions.

These notes and assumptions are relatively brief and you would most likely have them for every activity item in a schedule. Hopefully they have started to show the benefit that can be gained by having these clarifying comments.

Now, let's look at the example spring maintenance schedule.