Bowling Greens
According to Edgar R Haley, the author of “The Construction of the Lawn Bowling Green”, the ideal green consists of a smooth, level surface, contains no thatch and has grass with a root 7 -14 inches deep. This should result in a quality surface that requires minimal maintenance.
We follow the Sport England guidelines for our bowling greens maintenance that states flat greens require a completely level and smooth subsoil surface with a tolerance of +/- 15 mm. Once allowance has been made for the material layers the surface of the green should be a minimum of 230 mm lower than the surrounds. Crown greens require subsoil levels that allow for a crown formation between 254 and 380 mm above the corners.
We appreciate the importance of three things when achieving a quality green – moisture, fertiliser and oxygen. It is vital for an irrigation system to apply water sparingly, sufficient to dampen but not drown the grass. Correct fertiliser is key for successful grass growth. The use of sports sand enhances drainage; oxygen to the grass root is maximised. The more oxygen available to the roots the stronger they are and the more resilient and consistent the grass surface.
A construction project to create your new bowling green typically consists of:
- Design
- Excavation
- Drainage
- Concrete ditch channels
- Gravel carpet
- Blinding layer
- Rootzone
- Laser grading
- Ground preparation
- Fertiliser
- Bowling green turf or grass seed
- Irrigation
- Growing in period
An autumn end of season renovation project for your existing green consists of:
- Decompaction / aeration
- Scarifying to remove thatch
- Over-seeding
- Top dressing
- Fertilising, conditioning
- Weed control
Call us on 07738 059623 if we can help with your bowling greens maintenance and keep your bowling green in great condition.