CONDITION OF GREEN, APRIL 2025

Condition of the Green

Hi everyone,

The spring conditions have again hardly been ideal for the preparation of a green to last the whole summer. Last year it hardly stopped raining; this year there has been at least a month of unseasonal warm weather with zero rainfall! This has not been conducive to the health and growth of new grass. There has had to be considerable watering. Mains water is not the same as rain and grass has a tendency to reject regular mains water as opposed to loving natural rain! I anticipate that areas of Local Dry Patch will develop on the green.

Two areas which have considerably suffered are the far corner by the away stand and the edge of the green on the Whaddon Road side. The far corner has suffered from excessive heat due to the reflection of the sun off the away stand, so it is a little barren. More obviously the Whaddon Road edge has struggled to grow, which is more inexplicable, though this does seem to happen each year with growth being slower.

What I would like players to do is think about the positioning of the mat and where you stand when not holding the mat. Certainly please avoid standing on the bare Whaddon Road edge. Please also vary the position of the mat and don’t always put it on the 2 metre line.

Also understand that 6 players standing at the mat end puts great pressure on the grass and increases evaporation of moisture and compaction of the soil. Hence my request to vary the mat position, as the higher up the green the mat goes, the more space there is for those standing. All 5 or 6 rinks with everybody standing within the 2-metre area places the edge of the green under great pressure.

That’s enough for now and enjoy Sunday.

David Hearle