Bowling Green Weeds

Weeds on a bowling green can detract from the production of a very fine uniform surface. Small weeds such as clover/trefoils, pearlwort, yarrow, have been called the “Troublesome Trio” (Sutton, M.A.F. (1962) ‘Lawns and Sports Grounds’, pp105-109) and also parsley piert can be routinely weakened and reduced by scarification and verticutting.

Where selective herbicide is to be applied then it should be when the grass plant and weeds are growing strongly: typically, this will be during May to early June on established swards, and the minimum period stated on the herbicide label for newly sown turf, which might typically be at least 2-months, in which case June might be the earliest time. Ideally though, for a fine turf surface such as a bowling green, which isn’t a huge expanse of turf, the use of a herbicide should be minimised due to effective cultural and physical practices being routinely carried out.

Broader type weeds, such as daisy, self-heal, plantains and dandelions, may germinate and start to develop as juvenile plants, but they should never be allowed to develop into a mature plant which will smother the adjacent grass as it matures. There should be no need to apply a selective herbicide to a bowling green for these larger types of weeds because they should have been hand weeded at the juvenile stage.