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EDITOR'S BLOG

MAKE HAY WHILST THE SUN SHINES
End of season renovations
by TurfPro Editor, Laurence Gale MSC, MBPR

The weather in the first few weeks of October is crucial for the successful conclusion of our end of season renovations for both cricket and bowls.

The weather in the first few weeks of October is crucial for the successful conclusion of our end of season renovations for both cricket and bowls clubs in the UK.

Having checked a few weather sites, the historical average for this time of year generally hovers around a mean daily high of 13.9 °C, and the mean daily low about 6.8 °C.

Some general UK sources suggest daytime maxima in October is around 15 °C as a rule of thumb.

Reasonable soil temperature estimates for October are as follows

Shallow soil (top few cm): ~9 °C to ~13 °C
Moderate depth (10–30 cm): ~10 °C to ~14 °C
Deeper layers (50 cm+): likely a bit higher or more stable, maybe ~12 °C to ~15 °C depending on recent weather and location

With many clubs still undertaking their renovation works, the benefit of having both soil and air temperatures in double figures will certainly help seed germination rates for any concluding renovation works.

For a summary of the forthcoming weather fronts, I usually find Mark Hunt’s weather blog well worth a read.

An end-of-season renovation is one of the most important maintenance operations for cricket pitches and bowling greens - it helps restore the playing surfaces after an arduous playing season.

The main benefits of an end of season renovation are to remove unwanted thatch levels, restore surface levels, apply a fertiliser and overseed.

Generally, this is achieved by mowing down the sward and scarifying / fraise mowing to remove unwanted thatch vegetation – with a rule of thumb being not to allow thatch levels go above 6mm

Thatch control is vital for both cricket and bowls surfaces, as it directly affects ball performance, consistency, pace, and safety.

Acceptable thatch levels for cricket :

Surface thatch (0–10 mm layer): Ideally less than 5 mm, and no more than 10 mm.
A thin thatch layer (1–5 mm) can help bind the surface and retain some moisture — useful for pitch preparation.
Too much thatch (>10 mm) traps moisture, prevents firm consolidation, causes variable bounce, and increases the risk of disease (e.g. Fusarium).

Excessive thatch effects:

Soft, spongy surface.
Poor ball bounce and pace.
Difficulty achieving desired moisture content during preparation.
Increased disease pressure and poor rooting.

Acceptable thatch levels for bowls greens (natural turf):

Surface thatch (0–10 mm layer):
Ideally less than 3 mm, and absolutely no more than 5 mm.
Bowls greens demand a firm, fast, and true surface — any significant thatch makes the surface spongy and slows the bowl.
A minimal thatch layer (1–3 mm) can aid turf resilience, but anything thicker compromises speed and consistency.

Excessive thatch effects:

Reduced green speed (“draggy” surface).
Inconsistent bowl roll and bias.
Poor drainage and surface firmness.

A typical end of season programme for cricket would see the square scarified in three directions, all debris removed, top dressed with a compatible cricket loam dressing using between 6-10 bags per pitch (60-100 bags per ten pitch square) overseeded with two bags of seed and fertilised. Based on contractor prices, you are looking at an expenditure of between £1500 -1800. That price would come down if the club did most of the work themselves.

Similarly, a bowls green renovation would consist of the same operations scarifying in three directions, cleaning up debris, top dressing with a 70/ 30 sand soil or straight sand top dressing. Usually between 3-5 tonnes of top dressing per green, aeration, overseeding and applying a fertiliser. A bag of fescue and bent grass seed is about £200 a bag, so in materials alone (2 bags of seed, 2 bags of fertiliser and 3 tonne of top dressing is likely to set you back £800). Then paying for the scarifying and aeration of the green will cost another £800 or so. Again, using a contractor, the price for this work is likely to be around £1500- 2000 - that price would be reduced if you did the work yourselves.

The cost of materials has increased in recent years. Typically a bag of amenity sports turf grass seed will now set you back around £90 for a 20 kilogram bag of rye grass seed. Cricket loam per bag is around £6-8 and fertiliser is about £40 per bag, as for top dressing for bowling greens you will need to pay around £110 per tonne delivered.

All in all, clubs need to ensure they have the funds to carry out this important work. The end of season renovation is essential for the wellbeing of the playing surface.

One such contractor who been very busy with work this year is Keith Exton who runs Perfect Pitches. Keith an ex County groundsmen is renowned for his cricket pitch renovations and aeration work. He has just completed some work at Trent Bridge and is finalising his end of season programme, finishing off several grassroots clubs.

He utilises the best machinery, making good use of the fraise mower to scarify and Koro off unwanted vegetation. He also uses laser grading equipment to set levels and has developed his own technique using a Weidemann spiker to deep spike cricket squares.

The following set of photos show the depth of work that goes into a cricket square end of season renovations:

Not carrying out this work will have a detrimental effect and will mean a poor playing surface the following year.

End-of-season renovations rejuvenates the pitch by repairing wear, improving turf health, and ensuring consistent performance for future seasons.

Speaking of renovations, it is important to note that many cricket clubs would also benefit from carrying out a similar operation on their outfields. Often a quite neglected task, it may not be done because of cost and being such a large area.

So far, the weather has been kind. We are currently seeing decent soil and air temperatures, so make the most of this window of opportunity and get on with your end of season renovations whilst the weather holds out.

The worry for me is, speaking to several greenkeepers, some clubs are saying they cannot afford these costs and are resorting to reducing the amount of materials they buy. Some bowling clubs have stopped buying top dressings to reduce their costs. However, reducing the level of renovations to a bare minimum does not bode well for the future playability of the surface.

While on the subject of lawn renovations, one of my neighbours, Rob Bain is an avid collector of old mowers, he recently used one of his latest acquisitions a 11" JP Minor to mow his lawn prior to undertaking some autumn renovations.

Rob told me this mower was gifted to him and it quite a rare mower, this mower was apparently exhibited at the Southport Flower Show in Spring 1936. 90 years old and still producing great results.

As you can see from the image Rob likes to maintain a decent lawn. Let’s hope the weather stays calm and decent for all those clubs endeavouring to complete their end of season renovations.

NEWS

'CAREER DEFINING' DELEGATION ANNOUNCED
To visit US trade show

In our first WEB ONLY story, 10 greenkeepers have been selected to engage in one of the sports turf industry’s most prestigious learning opportunities.

GPS TURF TECHNOLOGY COMPANY LAUNCHES IN UK
New player enters market

In our next WEB ONLY story, Danish company who describe themselves as a pioneer in GPS-driven turf management systems, has announced its official UK launch.

AMENITY FORUM CONFERENCE THIS WEEK
Agenda announced

Organisers announce a mix of speakers covering a wide range of topics.

The Amenity Forum's Annual Conference takes place this week on October 8th and 9th 2025 at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon, Warwickshire.

Organisers say they have lined up a mix of speakers covering a wide range of topics. You can view the full agenda here.

Topics include sustainability, the challenges of turf production and invasive weed management.

This year there is also a networking dinner taking place the night before at Ashorne Hill.

ROADSHOW COMES TO AN END
After visiting UK, Germany and France

Since July the manufacturer has been on tour meeting end users and dealers directly at their locations.

The AriensCo Roadshow 2025 came to a close last weekend at the end of September 2025.

Since the end of July, their sales teams have been on the move across Germany, France and the United Kingdom - meeting dealers and end users directly at their locations. With up to seven stops in each country, visitors had the chance to get up close with the latest from AS-Motor and Ariens, and try them out for themselves.

Each stop featured live demonstrations, expert conversations, and personal consultations that allowed for hands-on experiences. The company says the focus was not only on showcasing product features, but also on discussing everyday challenges, technical details, and service and spare parts needs with dealers, service professionals, and local authorities.

Sam Lewis, general manager of AriensCo UK, said, “Performance data is one thing - but the real test is putting the machine into the hands of the user. That’s when you truly see what it can do.”

Two key machines took center stage, both unveiled earlier this year at demopark - the AS 990 Tahr RC remote-controlled rotary mower and the Ariens Summit Pro Zero-Turn Series

Across all three countries, the company says response to the roadshow was overwhelmingly positive. Visitors appreciated the chance to experience the equipment first-hand, while dealers took advantage of the opportunity to deepen their product knowledge.

“Roadshows help build trust and provide a genuine product experience,” Sam Lewis concluded. “They’ll continue to play an increasingly important role alongside trade shows and conventional demos in how we connect with our customers.”

EGO MAKE FIRST SENIOR APPOINTMENT FOR ROBOTICS
Business development manager

Company says they are "making a targeted investment in the future of autonomous mowing".

EGO Power+ have announced they are expanding its EU team, with Fabian Storm as strategic category business development manager for autonomous mowing solutions.

Fabian Storm

With his arrival, the company say they are making a targeted investment in the future of autonomous mowing and strengthening their market position in this segment.

Fabian worked at Husqvarna for almost eight years as a business developer and key account manager. His focus there was on the development and introduction of professional mowing solutions in the European market. EGO say they want to use this experience to achieve its goals in the autonomous robotic mower market.

Fabian said, "I see great opportunities to raise the bar in the market with our new models and demonstrate that autonomous mowing offers much more than just convenience."

Earlier this year, the manufacturer introduced new robotic mowers, including the RM2000E and RM4000E. Ambitious plans are underway for 2026 to further expand their robotic mowers across Europe. The company says these developments focus on mowing larger areas, more advanced navigation, and greater efficiency. Their latest models will utilise PathIQ technology, which the company believes clearly distinguishes themselves in the rapidly growing robot mower market.

SPONSORED CONTENT

STIHL INTRODUCES NEW SGA 30
Battery-powered sprayer

STIHL has expanded its sprayer offering with the launch of the SGA 30, a sprayer designed to combine operator comfort with consistently precise liquid application.

STIHL has expanded its sprayer offering with the launch of the SGA 30, a sprayer designed to combine operator comfort with consistently precise liquid application. Purpose-built for groundskeepers, landscapers and gardeners, the new model eliminates the need for manual pumping, ensuring steady pressure delivery that makes light work of spraying tasks.

Delivering a working pressure of 1.5 to 2.5 bars, the SGA 30 uses the STIHL AS System battery and features a 5-litre tank capacity, whilst enabling users to tailor output depending on the application, whether applying fertilisers across lawns or pesticides to specific plants. This adjustability helps to ensure effective coverage while cutting down on unnecessary product use.

Practical features are built in to make everyday use easier. The adjustable nozzle provides the flexibility to alternate between fine misting and direct spot treatments, while the telescopic lance ensures operators can reach awkward or elevated areas with minimal effort. For further convenience, the sprayer shuts off automatically when the tank is empty or inactive, conserving energy and supporting longer battery life.

Ease of use is at the heart of the SGA 30’s design, with straightforward pressure controls, an intuitive ON/OFF switch and a clear battery charge indicator. Weighing just 2.1 kg without the battery, and 7.1 kg when filled with liquid and battery in place, design remains lightweight, with a carry strap and handle, to keep users working efficiently and comfortably for longer periods.

To learn more about the STIHL SGA 30 battery-powered sprayer, visit www.stihl.co.uk.

TURN AUTUMN LEAVES INTO A TURF-STRENGTHENING RESOURCE
With a Trimax Snake Leaf Mulch Kit

For owners of Trimax Snake mowers, this smart add-on does more than just tidy up - it improves soil health, supports microbial activity, and saves you the cost of extra machines.

For owners of Trimax Snake mowers, this smart add-on does more than just tidy up - it improves soil health, supports microbial activity, and saves you the cost of extra machines. All while you mow.

The problem with autumn leaves

Although pretty to look at, they can be a headache for greenkeepers and grounds care workers, creating hours of additional maintenance - from blowing and sweeping leaf fall to collecting and storing.

The smart solution

If a golf course, school, sports field, or park already owns a Snake mower, the leaf mulch kit offers a cost-effective and labour-saving solution for leaf control, while also enhancing the health and appearance of the turf.

Quick install: Fit or remove in under 60 minutes
Retrofittable: Compatible with existing Snake S1, S2 and S3 models
Tough design: Handles pine cones and small branches with ease
Fine mulch finish: Returns organic matter to the soil for increased soil health

Tried, Tested, Trusted

Woolley Park Golf Club has been using Trimax mowers since 1995. When leaf fall became a challenge, Trimax stepped in, offering a demo of the Snake mulch kit. The results spoke for themselves:

“What a job it’s done! It’s been out in the worst conditions —a very damp, sticky day —and it’s performed excellently. Once we get out there in better conditions for a dry cut, it’s going to turn those leaves to dust!” - John Rowbottom, head greenkeeper.

See it in action

Watch the demo at Woolley Park Golf Club.

Ready to save time and strengthen your turf?

For more information about the Trimax Snake Mulch Kit or to book a Snake demo, visit the Trimax website.

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