Mowing
The primary reason for mowing is to control vegetation to produce an even and true playing surface for rugby union.
Put simply – mowing serves to:
- maintain grass height at the desired length
- help produce dense grass coverage
- remove organic debris from pitch surface
The method
Use a mower with sharpened and correctly adjusted blades.
Timing, equipment, and practical tips
Timing
Mowing may be necessary all year round to collect debris after pitch use, however in terms of managing turf growth this is likely to be between March and October.
Mowing should be conducted frequently enough to avoid “shocking” the grass. Little and often, never removing more than a third of the grass plant nor allowing the grass to grow to such a length that the tips of the plants fall over and inwards. Mow grass regularly, topping off and keeping plants upright.
Equipment:
- Pedestrian cylinder mower
- Ride-on cylinder/reel mower
- Pedestrian rotary mower
- Ride on rotary mower
- Tractor mid mounted cutting deck
- Tractor mounted rear roller or rear finishing mower
- Flair mowers
- Cylinder/reel gang mowers
- Robotic mowers
Practical Tips:
- Only trained staff/volunteers should be allowed to carrying out mowing
- Best completed when grass is dry and frost-free but not during the intense heat of a hot day
- It is important to alternate the direction of mowing, constantly mowing in the same direction will cause washboarding a waved/corrugated effect.
- Mower blades should be sharp and set up correctly
What could go wrong?
- Reduced playability
- Build-up of organic matter in pitch surface
- Damage to grass plant
- Possible occurrence of disease
- Visible scarring of surface
