Grass Square Construction

The Specifications and construction methods for the six grass pitches, based on discussions with experts from the Sports Turf Research Institute, the Scottish Cricket Union, Clydesdale Cricket Club, and Rigby Taylor Ltd are:

1. Assess levels across the square to approx 10m around it. Layout so that pitches follow the existing slight fall from north to south
2. Strip the turf (a mechanical excavator will be used)
3. Excavate 100-150mm of topsoil and remove (down to hard core)
4. Set level pegs at 2m centres to your pre-determined levels
5. Heel and rake through the soil base so that imported material can be keyed in properly
6. Import and even 100-150mm firmed depth of cricket table loam. Use straight edges to perfect final surface levels. Firm by raking and heeling with a final roll. A topsoil with 28-32% clay content is essential for a quality surface. Too high a clay content and it will be difficult to grow grass, too low and the prepared surfaces will have a poor bounce and will be liable to break up under play. For Garscube, we will be using approximately 126 tons of BOUGHTON County loam, with a clay content of 32%, for the 6 pitches (each of 2m width)
7. Rake in a seed bed fertiliser of analysis 6:9:6 at 50g per square meter
8. Rake in an amenity perennial ryegrass seed mix at a rate of 35g per square meter
9. Monitor grass growth

Pictures of pitch construction

These pictures were taken during the construction of the grass square, on the 12 May 1998 by Gordon Curry, please click each picture to enlarge.

Loam being delivered to the square by trailer.

Loam being raked and walked in.

The loam being compressed using a vibrating pad.

The coarse gravel on which the loam for the cricket square is laid.