Bowling Green Annual Material Requirements

The total quantity of materials that might be needed to maintain a bowling green can vary considerably due to a number of factors, including:
• The available budget. This may be the current budget or a future available budget which may be enhanced from an existing one due to more funds becoming available.
• The desired standard of the green; a higher standard of green will typically require greater material inputs, but this isn’t always the case.
• The geographic location of the green. There is a longer growing season in the south as compared with the north of the country.
• The local micro-climate will provide a variance to the general region the green is located in.
• How wet-dry, warm-cold the weather has been in any prevailing year.
• The amount of use which occurs on a green, and whether excessive use is experienced as well as the usage patterns which occur, for example, if favourite rinks on a flat green incur a lot more use and wear than rinks adjacent to the ends.
• The current condition of the green. Additional materials may be needed for improvements to get the green up to a suitable standard.
• The soil type and construction. This would also relate to the condition of the green; a well-constructed and previously well-maintained green will already have the desired foundation for continued good conditions.

The following guide (2023) is based on a good, medium-paced, club green, within a central geographic location:
• Top-dressing: Mid-range figure of 6-tonnes (£840) (40 x 25kg bags = 1-tonne, @ £3.50 bag).
• Fertiliser: 6 x 20kg bags (£150+).
• Grass Seed: 3 x 20kg bags (prices vary considerably: £450 - £600+).
• Water (for irrigation): (potable water supply and drainage (the latter proportion of a water bill can typically be reduced by 90-100%: ˜ £1.50 per m³ (£750).
• Wetting Agent: 2 x 10l bottles (£500).
• Pesticide: £100+ per application.
• Petrol: £300.