The most important feature of the lawn bowling club is the green. Climate and weather changes in recent years are forcing us to adapt our green maintenance processes. Covers provide winter protection, reduce damage and offer an earlier start to the turf grass. We expect lower maintenance costs in the Spring as a result of less turf damage. The translucent covers offer a slight greenhouse effect and keep the turf a few degrees warmer. We want our club to continue to grow and offer the best playing experience possible. This is our first year using the plastic covers. We are looking forward to April, 2022 when we uncover the turf after the winter. We will report our results on this site.
Spring ice damage with "some" snow mould.
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Spring ice damage with "some" snow mould.
This is one of the team member slots you can have for your company. You can replace their picture and add any text you want here for describing your employees.
Mid-winter measurement of ice thickness on the green indicated that 3+ inches of hard ice and ice pellets had accumulated on the green. A plan was implemented to remove the ice and save the green.
Very early Spring snow-blowing to remove as much snow and crusty ice as possible.
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After snow-blowing in very early Spring, wood ash & nitrogen fertilizers added to melt ice. Small black marks on the ice are wood ash pellets.
The wood ash and nitrogen fertilizers did the trick. The ice melted and a sump pump removed the water. We also added an extra drain.
One week later (March 20th) the green looks great. Removing the ice minimized turf damage. The wood ash and nitrogen fertilizers also helped.
In the Fall, tarps and bubble wrap purchased to protect the green from winter weather damage. Quantities; 1x (130ft x 70ft) non-vented cover, 1x (130ft x 60ft) non-vented cover, 14x (12ft x 100ft) ⅝ inch thick bubble wrap.
Time to get rolling. Bubble wrap goes down first. We left the turf a bit longer underneath.
The "Three Amigos".
Volunteers were kind enough to lend a hand.
More enthusiastic volunteers!
A big team makes for quick work...but, which side is up?
Positioning the 130ft x 60ft tarp first, over the bubble wrap.
Finding the right corner.
Walking on the bubble wrap is safe with flat shoes!
Many volunteers came out to help.
Good work always needs a good supervisor.
Laying the tarps into the ditches and getting a good overlap.
Unrolling the 130ft x 70ft tarp as a top cover.
Pausing for a quick discussion.
Opening the 130ft x 70ft large tarp over the bubble wrap.
Laying the tarps down flat.
Stretching the top tarp, 130ft x 70ft , over the bubble wrap and overlapping the smaller 130ft x 60ft tarp.
Looking good so far. Final overlap of large tarp over smaller one. This will help prevent wind lifting the tarps.
Thanks for volunteering. Outstanding on the green cover!
Almost done!
Looking east.
Looking south.
Looking west.
The big reveal!
The green cover prevented the 2 inches of ice and rain we had on December 6 from staying on the turf. The next few days saw temperatures above 0°C with some sun and wind. This caused the ice to melt away and flow out through the drains. Ice damage was averted.
Looking forward to Spring, 2022.
A second freezing rain event covered the green with one half inch of rain on February 17th 2022. The rain fell from midnight to noon at an average temperature of 3 degrees C. On the 18th the temperature dropped to -17 degrees C. Let's hope the turf is well protected by the plastic covers.