Careful surface protection is essential to prevent long-term damage. The Grounds Management Association (GMA) in the UK offered practical tips to help keep pitches as safe and playable as possible through the harshest winter spells.
MANAGE FROST
Avoid working on frozen turf. Traffic causes cracking and long-term damage. Keep all play off frost-bound surfaces until they fully thaw. For cricket squares and winter pitches, patience is your best tool. Resist the temptation to “just have a quick look” – the turf will thank you when spring arrives.
SURFACE INSPECTION
Carry out regular checks during freeze-thaw cycles. December surfaces can swing from saturated to rock-solid within hours. Identify areas holding water or showing early signs of grass stress. Early intervention helps protect cricket outfields, football pitches and rugby surfaces from deeper structural problems later in winter.
BRUSHING & DEW REMOVAL
When conditions allow and the grass isn’t frozen, remove dew and surface moisture to reduce disease risk. Use light brushing rather than heavy contact to avoid bruising the leaf.
AERATION (SELECTIVE ONLY)
Aeration may be possible on milder days, but proceed with caution. Avoid all operations on frozen or waterlogged ground. If a window appears, choose shallow or slit aeration to ease surface tension without destabilizing the profile. Prioritize high-wear areas such as goalmouths.
MOWING
Raise cutting heights and mow only when growth and conditions allow. Avoid mowing during or immediately after frost. Keeping sward slightly longer supports plant resilience and helps winter pitches cope with fluctuating weather.
DIVOTTING & DAMAGE REPAIR
Act quickly on surface damage after fixtures, especially in rugby scrummage areas and football goalmouths. Replace divots and lightly dress or level disturbed turf as soon as the surface is thawed and workable. Small, regular repairs prevent surprisingly big headaches in January.
DRAINAGE CHECKS
Ensure drains, ditches, outfalls and channels are clear after the recent wet spell. Good movement of water is essential to stop freeze-thaw cycles from expanding weaknesses in the profile.
WORM & PEST MONITORING
With wet ground now freezing, worm casts and pest activity can fluctuate. Clear casts only when conditions allow, and continue to monitor for damage. Consistent upkeep helps maintain safe, even surfaces – particularly important for winter sports where ball roll and footing can be affected.
CRICKET SQUARE
The days of putting the square to bed and forgetting about it are long gone. With mild and wet winters more common, growth is continuing all through the winter months, making the winter maintenance an important factor in keeping both the outfield and square in good condition. The occasional surveillance of the square will provide the opportunity of investigating any outbreak of fungal disease and also enable the detection of any excessive grass growth. Do not roll the square until February/March, in preparation for the start of the new season.
CRICKET WINTER MAINTENANCE
Mowing – During mild spells it may be necessary to top the grass to ensure that the sward growth is not weakened in the spring by removing too much growth in a short period of time. Before cutting, walk the square to remove any debris or rubbish which may have accumulated to ensure that no damage will be caused to the mower.
Winter Brushing – This is to help the surface remain dry and reduce disease pressure, keeping the sward healthy. Brushing the square during the winter months, will help to maintain a healthy square throughout the winter.
Aeration – Try to aerate as the soil is getting wetter, not as the soil is getting drier. This is why aeration before Christmas is more effective than after Christmas.
Fertilizer program – Fertilizer may be applied to maintain the health of the grass and appearance of the cricket ground. It is best to apply fertilizer when the immediate surface is free from damp but there is still some moisture in the soil. Avoid dry, frosty, or windy conditions – as these often result in uneven distribution and possible scorching. Always check the calibration of the machine before fertilizer applications to ensure that the spread rate is correct.