http://oxfordcroquet.com/care/seasonal/index.asp
Dr Ian Plummer
Lawn Care
Seasonal Schedule for Croquet Lawns

AUTUMN

Dr. Ian Plummer 

What 

Why 

Materials

Frequency

Time
Scarification & thatch collection  Remove thatch from lawn to discourage moss  -  One major scarification  2 hr per Lawn 
Surface repair  To adjust levels, remove damage, re-turf.  Seed, top soil, turf  As needed  - 
Aeration: solid and hollow tyning  Encourages deep root growth, improves drainage. Minor level adjustment  -  Over period of 4-5 weeks  40 minutes per lawn per run. Additional time if cores are luted back into hollows 
Worm Killing  Worm casts encourage weed growth, blunten lawn mowers, encourage moles and deflect croquet balls  See Worm Control   Repeated in Spring  1 hour per lawn including preparation time 
Fungicide  Destroy fungal growth which destroys turf. remove surface mushrooms.  Roval Green at £60 per lawn per application  Autumn and spring application necessary  1 hour per lawn including preparation time 
Moss Killer  Moss chokes grass and encourages fungal diseases  Super Mosstx at £57 per lawn per application  As needed in Autumn Spring and Summer  1 hour per lawn including preparation time 
Feeding  To promote growth and strengthen grass prior to winter  Vitax Micro-Grain 2, 4684. Autumn feed at £20 per lawn  Each Autumn  30 minutes per lawn including preparation time 
Top Dressing  Levels and invigorates lawn  Sieved, top dressing. Cost depends on quantity  In Autumn as needed  1-4hrs per lawn depending on coverage. 
Overseeding  To increase grass density and make preferred type dominate  Hurlingham mix. £130 per lawn  Twice per year  1½ hours per lawn including preparation time 
Mowing  To keep grass short, allowing it to dry out and grow tight.  -  As needed whilst grass is still growing  45 minutes per lawn 

WINTER

Dr. Ian Plummer 

What 

Why 

Materials

Frequency

Time
Mowing  To prevent trapping of moisture and ensure tight growth  Occasional if grass if growing  -  45 minutes per lawn 
Brushing + Dragmat  To break up surface water on grass and encourage evaporation  -  As needed  457 minutes per lawn 
Fungicide  Preventative Spray  Roval Green  Monthly  1 hour per lawn 

SPRING

Dr. Ian Plummer 

What 

Why 

Materials

Frequency

Time
Rolling- only if predominately flat and level to start with  To level lawn  -  Occasionally  1¼ hour per lawn 
Scarification & thatch collection  Remove thatch from lawn to discourage moss  -  One light scarification  2 hr per Lawn 
Feeding  To promote growth and boost growth as temperature rises  Vitax Micro-Grain 1, 1246. Autumn feed at £20 per lawn  Each Spring  30 minutes per lawn including preparation time 
Aeration: solid and hollow tyning  Encourages deep root growth, improves drainage. Minor level adjustment  -  Over period of 4-5 weeks  40 minutes per lawn per run. Additional time if cores are luted back into hollows 
Worm Killing  Worm casts encourage weed growth, blunten lawn mowers, encourage moles and deflect croquet balls.  See Worm Control Repeated in Spring  1 hour per lawn including preparation time 
Fungicide  Destroy fungal growth which destroys turf. remove surface mushrooms.  Roval Green at £60 per lawn per application  Spring application  1 hour per lawn including preparation time 
Moss Killer  Moss chokes grass and encourages fungal diseases  Super Mosstox at £57 per lawn per application  As needed in Autumn Spring and Summer  1 hour per lawn including preparation time 
Mowing  To keep grass short, allowing it to dry out and grow tight. The cut is lowered as the weather warms  -  Weekly, then increasing in frequency  45 minutes per lawn 

SUMMER

Dr. Ian Plummer

What 

Why 

Materials

Frequency

Time
Mowing  To keep grass short, allowing it to dry out and grow tight. The cut should be 3/16"  -  Every second day  45 minutes per lawn 
Scarification & thatch collection  Remove thatch from lawn to discourage moss  -  One light scarification if needed  2 hr per Lawn 
Irrigation  To promote growth and an even playing surface  Adequate irrigation devices  0-3 times a week depending on weather  10 minutes set-up time 
Weed Killing  Removal of daisies etc. which spoil the playing surface  'Tumbleweed Lawns' (made by Levington). £X per lawn  Every 4 week until under control  1 hour per lawn 
Worm Killing  Worm casts encourage weed growth, blunten lawn mowers, encourage moles and deflect croquet balls.  See Worm Control If needed  1 hour per lawn including preparation time 
Aeration: solid and hollow tyning  Encourages deep root growth, improves drainage. Minor level adjustment  -  Over period of 4-5 weeks  40 minutes per lawn per run. Additional time if cores are luted back into hollows 
Insecticide  To kill leather jackets etc. which feed on the vegetation and encourage birds and moles  Merit Turf (for professionals) (2006) Once in summer 1 hour per lawn including preparation time 
         
Author: Dr Ian Plummer
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Updated 24.vii.08
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