Bowling Green: Determining Maintenance Requirements

One of the commonest questions which needs to be considered is ‘What do I, or we, need to do to maintain the green?’ To answer this question is no simple matter because there are many variables to consider and just as importantly, if not more so, is the interconnections between the many variables. No wonder there is such a diversity of opinion and practice in the maintenance of bowling greens.

One of the first steps is to think about are the aim and objectives for the green.
Two key areas that will need to be considered are:
• The desired quality standard of green and how this might be allowed to vary at different times of the year to help maintain a suitable balance between available resources and expected or typically seasonal weather conditions.
• The expected usage. This will include the level and league of matches played; number and type of tournaments; membership numbers; as well as the age and ability of users.

A thorough investigation will also be needed to gather relevant information. This will ensure resources are not wasted and better-informed decisions can be made, so getting this right at the start provides a solid foundation.

Carry out as comprehensive an assessment of the green’s surface and sub-surface so you know what the likely capacity for use might be (i.e. the green’s carrying capacity), as well as the maintenance inputs needed to deliver what is required.

So, consider gathering information on the following (this list is not exhaustive but does start to highlight that to get the most from a pitch there are many factors to consider):
• The soil type: It is essential to find out the soil texture as this influences drainage capability and the rootzones ability to retain nutrients and its water holding capacity.
• Whether there is any compaction, soil layers, or root breaks within the soil profile.
• Any installed drainage.
• Where its situated: open or restricted access green.
• The shade cast on the green: where it occurs; when it occurs, and for how long.
• Is the retention of water for any length of time a problem in any area of the green?
• How well does the green drain after light, medium, heavy, or thunderstorm level rainfall?
• If 10mm (or other measures) of rain fell on one day, how long would it typically take to disappear from the surface?
• What equipment, machinery and materials do you currently have? This will also include age and condition of machinery in particular.
• What storage arrangements are there for assets? This will include how secure the storage is, especially from vandalism and theft.
• What materials have been applied to the green so far this year?
• What was the maintenance input last year? This could be summarised as the total number of cuts, aeration, brushing, fertiliser applications etc. This should be given as frequencies and also the total times taken for each task. This will help building up a detailed and accurate work schedule.
• What materials were applied last year? Types, quantities and details of any analysis, e.g. fertiliser in particular.
• Was any work carried out by a contractor, and if so, what was it?
• Where is the green located geographically? This will indicate likely weather conditions, influence ground conditions as well as the growing season.
• What, if any, is the green management policy? This will look at match cancellations and postponements, or use of mats or groundsheets, and rink management to help deliver a green which meets the desired playing quality over the length of the playing season.
• What funds are readily available for any machinery or equipment investments?
• What are the likely limitations for revenue costs? To be split between materials, labour, and machinery servicing.
• This all helps to build a picture of what a club currently has, its expectations, and whether these can be realised with what’s available. Or whether additional funds are needed, green improvements are needed and to what extent or whether a more realistic expectation is to be aligned with what can be achieved.