To control thatch. The blades of a verticutting reel are finer and more numerous than those on a scarifying reel. They are designed to be used above the thatch layer to remove dead and dying grass plants that will ultimately contribute to the thatch layer.
The greenkeeper verticuts fine turf for a number of reasons:-
To lift lateral growth and to thin out the sward.
To remove organic matter from the immediate turf base and to improve cutting speeds.
The greenkeeper verticuts fine turf for a number of reasons:-
To lift lateral growth and to thin out the sward.
To remove organic matter from the immediate turf base and to improve cutting speeds.
- Verticutting IS vertical cutting and the objectives are:
- To prune the grasses to improve tillering and stolon formation. This increases turf density and is very important for all fine competition turf such as bowling and golf greens. Not so critical for an ornamental lawn but loads of fun all the same!
- To control thatch. The blades of a verticutting reel are much finer and more numerous than those on a scarifying reel. They are designed to be used above the thatch layer to remove dead and dying grass plants that will ultimately contribute to the thatch layer.
- To produce an upright grass prior to mowing to give a cleaner more consistent cut.
- As a cultural method for controlling weeds and weed grasses
The Method
When we come to verticut a green the first thing we must do, is unfortunately put you guys on the temporary green. This is purely for our own safety as we will roughly be on each green for a hour.
When we come to verticut a green the first thing we must do, is unfortunately put you guys on the temporary green. This is purely for our own safety as we will roughly be on each green for a hour.
Phil (our head greenkeeper) in the picture above is modeling the Sisis Rotorake whilst brother Dave pushes the organic matter to the sides of the green.....
....Boom
Then Simon and Ethan came along to save the day.......
Once it's all is collected it will all be stored in the top bays (old sheds) to be used at a later date for a different project.
Then Simon and Ethan came along to save the day.......
Once it's all is collected it will all be stored in the top bays (old sheds) to be used at a later date for a different project.
There are 3 main types of vertical cutting:
The problem with verticutting is that it can be extremely damaging to the grass plant. The blade hacks into the crown rather than just lipping away at the leaves. Too much damage and too often can be devastating to a naturally slow growing plant.
- Grooming improves the quality of cut and sward texture.
- Scarification removes material from the turf base.
- Verticutting sits in- between. Its all a question of degree.
The problem with verticutting is that it can be extremely damaging to the grass plant. The blade hacks into the crown rather than just lipping away at the leaves. Too much damage and too often can be devastating to a naturally slow growing plant.
After the work is done, we give each green a blow and a swish to ensure the playing surface is as smooth as possible...... A Tidy Green Is A Happy Green :)
